State GOP Wants Sunday

Liquor Sales Revenue, Union Furloughs

HARTFORD (AP) — Connecticut’s legislative Republicans unveiled their own plan Wednesday to cut this fiscal year’s deficit, proposing reductions in legislative pay and allowing the sale of alcohol on Sundays.

Recent estimates show the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, is at least $1 billion in deficit. Deficit estimates for the next two fiscal years range from $6 billion to $8.6 billion.

Governor M. Jodi Rell, a Republican, has said she hopes to unveil her third deficit-cutting plan Friday, February 13. Meanwhile, the majority Democrats say they are working on a plan as well and want to work with Rell on a compromise that can pass by February 25.

Republicans are the minority party in the General Assembly. They said they hope Gov Rell and the Democrats will consider their ideas.

“Kick the tires, see what you like, see what you don’t like,” said Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, who represents Newtown.

McKinney said he is not personally enthusiastic about some of the GOP proposals, such as allowing the sale of alcohol on Sundays and allowing 24-hour alcohol sales at the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino.

But given the state’s deficit woes, he said, all sorts of ideas to generate revenue should be considered.

The GOP plan also calls for eight furlough days for union and nonunion state workers between now and June 30, and the elimination of all deputy commissioners and half the state’s 48 deputy prison wardens.

The Republicans also want to eliminate legislative travel and transportation allowances.

(Go to newtownbee.com and click the story link to view the entire state GOP report on this proposal.)