Hours before the General Assembly is scheduled to vote on a deficit mitigation package to erase this year’s red ink, the legislature’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis released new numbers pegging the shortfall at $247.8 million.
That’s down $18.1 million from last month’s $266 million deficit, but it’s still larger than the $220 million hole lawmakers are planning to plug later today.
The governor’s office declined to comment on the figures and as of 10 p.m. Monday there still was no final package for rank-and-file lawmakers or the public to inspect.
Late last week the legislature’s Democratic majority released a package of $191.7 million in possible budget cuts. Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy put another $27 million in cuts on the table, but has declined to offer any more information on exactly what line items or programs those cuts may impact.
During his budget address on Feb. 3, Malloy talked about greater transparency in the budget process.
“No budget will be perfect, but I firmly believe that by changing how we come to a budget bill, we can improve the final result,” Malloy said.
So far nothing in the closed-door budgeting process has changed.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said they remained optimistic Monday that a bipartisan package was possible.
The Senate is expected to convene at 11 a.m. and the House will gavel in around 1 p.m.
