News
Governor Rell asks legislative leaders to refrain from passing bills with Fiscal impact
By Governor Rell's office
May 5, 2008 - 4:08:16 PM

Governor M. Jodi Rell today asked legislative leaders from both parties in the House and Senate to refrain from passing any bills in the remaining 3 days of the legislative session that would either incur additional costs or reduce state revenues in Fiscal 2009.

Governor Rell’s letter notes that given the national economic instability, declining tax revenues and the agreement not to make any changes to the FY2009 budget that was adopted in the last legislative session it would be fiscally irresponsible to sign into law any bills that are not already authorized in the budget or risk further cuts in revenue. She warned that any bills that do come to her desk with a fiscal impact will be vetoed.

“Like families across Connecticut, the legislature must make some choices in the days to come,” Governor Rell said. “There are many good ideas that have been offered in this legislative session, most of which have a fiscal impact of one form or another. Letting go of these ideas is not easy – believe me, I know. In my budget speech in February I outlined several spending proposals that addressed issues I felt quite strongly about. Nevertheless, the realities of our financial situation require us to control spending.

“As difficult as some of these choices may be, we also need to remember that Connecticut is still in far better shape than many of our neighbors,” the Governor said. “By making prudent decisions now and keeping a tight rein on spending, we will continue to be in an enviable position compared with our neighbors in terms of weathering this downturn in the economy.”

Governor Rell asked that any pending legislation with fiscal impact that has already passed one chamber be amended to remove the fiscal effects. The Governor’s letter was accompanied by a list of pending bills with fiscal impacts compiled by the Office of Policy and Management.

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