Governor To Step Into Budget Impasse, Calls For Meeting

By Susan Haigh

Associated Press

HARTFORD –– Governor John G. Rowland is personally getting involved in the state budget negotiations, calling legislative leaders to his home for a closed door meeting Wednesday.

Marc Ryan, the governor’s budget chief, said on Tuesday that little progress was made this week on a possible bipartisan budget deal. Legislative leaders have been going line by line, examining each spending item for possible reductions.

The Republican governor wants Democrats and Republicans to “redraw parameters” and state what they can ultimately live with in a new two-year budget. Gov Rowland is putting on some pressure, urging both sides to reach an agreement before the new fiscal year begins July 1.

“It’s very frustrating,” Mr Ryan said of the talks. “Every year we go through this painful process, going line by line, realizing we haven’t cut enough.”

Gov Rowland on Friday vetoed a two-year, $27.7 billion budget plan that Democrats pushed through the legislature, saying it contained too many tax increases and not enough spending cuts.

Mr Ryan made a point of singling out Democrats, who he said have to understand that additional spending cuts are necessary. The governor, he said, will not agree to a large tax increase. The governor has said he would not support more than the $250 million in tax increases he included in his latest budget proposal.

Lawmakers still have not discussed possible tax increases. Since the legislature adjourned June 4, lawmakers have focused all their attention on the spending side of the budget.

Although Democrats said they have not added up the cuts made over the past week, Mr Ryan said an additional $300 million to $400 million in spending reductions are still necessary to produce a balanced budget for the next two fiscal years.

The fiscal year that begins July 1 is estimated to be approximately $1 billion in deficit.

Both Democrats and Republicans said they welcomed meeting with Gov Rowland, but for different reasons. The Democrats said they hope to talk about some of the larger, more expensive programs, such as State Administered General Assistance, a welfare program for single adults, and education aid to cities and towns.

Senate President Pro Tem Kevin Sullivan, D-West Hartford, said he does not expect a breakthrough at Wednesday’s meeting, but rather a chance to talk about a dozen outstanding issues.

“I think it will be a good opportunity for him to once again understand the differences he has with us, and more importantly the differences he has with the Republicans,” Sullivan said.

But Republican leaders deny there are differences between themselves and the governor.

Senate Minority Leader Louis DeLuca, R-Woodbury, said he hopes Mr Rowland’s influence will help lawmakers resolve some of the outstanding major issues.

“We are coming from very opposite ends and we’re nowhere even moving towards the middle,” said Mr DeLuca, who acknowledged he still has hope lawmakers can reach a budget deal in time.