Before the Senate or the House even voted on the budget bill, House Speaker Chris Donovan, Sen. President Donald Williams, and Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell released a joint statement on the 2011 budget, which increases spending less than one percent and borrows $955.9 million.
“For the last few weeks we have worked together in a respectful and productive manner to address Connecticut’s unprecedented fiscal challenges,” they said. “We are pleased to announce that we have reached agreement on a revised budget that fully balances the budget without raising taxes, cutting municipal aid, or harming needed social services. The budget plan also includes tough spending cuts that will reduce borrowing so as to save money in future fiscal years. We urge legislators to support the budget bill and help Connecticut continue its economic recovery. We look forward to swift passage of this budget and it being signed into law.”