State employee unions say they understand what’s at stake in their negotiations with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration, but if they had any doubts this memo from Malloy’s Budget Director Ben Barnes tries to make it clear.
In a memo to all state agency heads Barnes asked each to cut their budgets by 10 percent.
“All types of reduction options should be considered including program eliminations, facility closures, and savings due to staff reductions such as attrition anticipated by June 30, 2011 that may not have been included in the recommended appropriations for the biennium,” Barnes wrote. “All appropriated funds are subject to 10% reduction plans; do not limit proposals to the General Fund.”
Barnes asked the proposals to be sent by April 13, 2011. He also asked that Legislative and Judicial branch agencies develop and provide contingency plans as soon as possible.