Statement of Governor M. Jodi Rell on
End of 2010 Legislative Session
Governor M. Jodi Rell tonight issued the following statement after the close of the 2010 regular legislative session:
“From the beginning of this legislative session, there have been two main priorities for all of us: jobs and the budget.
“On Saturday, the Legislature passed a comprehensive jobs bill – the product of weeks of work that I began with the first joint leadership meeting of the session. That bill included my ideas, it included ideas from the Majority Leaders’ Roundtable and it included ideas from legislative Republicans. It will do much to help the thousands of Connecticut residents who have been caught up in the economic tidal wave that has swept over our state.
“The jobs bill, together with the UConn Health Center Bill that I will sign and the permitting reform bill, are a blueprint for economic recovery.
“I am also pleased that we have been able to reach agreement on a budget bill that closes the $700 million deficit for Fiscal Year 2011. It does this without increasing taxes or cutting state aid grants to municipalities. It also reduces the amount of borrowing we must do from $1.3 billion to $989 million.
“This agreement borrows almost $335 million dollars less than the Legislature’s original plan. It cuts interest costs in half and ensures the notes will be paid off in eight years instead of 10. It also trims $200 million off of next year’s potential shortfall.
“I appreciate the hard work that everyone has put into meeting these priorities during this legislative session. Tonight I mark the final adjournment sine die of my 25 years in Connecticut politics. I extend my best wishes to all of my friends and colleagues throughout the years and thank you all, once again, for the honor of serving as Governor of this great state.”