Gov Malloy: $135 Million In Budget Cuts

HARTFORD — On September 6, Governor Dannel P. Malloy released a list of $135 million in savings and efficiencies across state government, which are part of $700 million in labor-management savings. While the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) agreement was eventually ratified, and the vast majority of cuts that had been proposed in the so-called Plan B budget plan will not go forward, these savings are based on ideas put forward during that process.

“This is another example of the governor’s commitment to making government smaller and more efficient,” said Ben Barnes, secretary of the Office of Policy and Management (OPM). “We’ve said all along that there were a number of cuts proposed in the so-called ‘Plan B’ budget that made a lot of sense and didn’t harm necessary services. These cuts will go forward as we work to meet the goals identified in our budget plan.”

The $700 million goal in labor-management savings includes savings in state employees’ wages, health care and pensions, plus to reductions from attrition and retirements and other savings initiatives.

Departments that have been affected by the latest rounds of cuts include the Governor’s Office, the Secretary of the State, the State Comptroller’s office, Department of Revenue Services, the Office of Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Administrative Services, Workers’ Compensation Claims-DAS, Division of Criminal Justice, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Military Department, Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Labor, and the Commission on Human Rights & Opportunities.

Also, Office of Protection and Advocacy, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Department of Economic and Community Development, Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Public Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, Psychiatric Security Review Board, Department of Social Services, and Department of Education.

Also, the State Library, University of Connecticut, UConn Health Center, Teachers’ Retirement Board, Board of Regents for Higher Education, Department of Correction, Department of Children and Families, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Department of Transportation.

Secretary Barnes noted that the amounts identified in the announcement will be held back by OPM from agencies’ requested allocations.

“These are not rescissions and not changes to line-items,” he said. “They are budgeted amounts OPM will hold back from the agencies. If, as the year progresses, the state’s fiscal picture deteriorates, the governor retains the rescission authority granted him by statute.”

The governor can rescind up to five percent for most of state government and three percent of any fund, except aid to municipalities and other statutory exclusions.

“We will meet our budget goals,” Mr Barnes said. “And we won’t push budget problems into the future. This governor has every intention of providing the citizens of Connecticut a fiscally responsible and responsive government. These cuts are another step towards that goal.”

To see the full list of budget cuts announced by Gov Malloy on September 6, visit NewtownBee.com.