Report by Paula Antolini
January 8, 2017 11:18AM EDT
Sen. McLachlan Encouraged by Governor’s Call to Reduce State Spending, Concerned about Potential Impact on Municipalities
State Sen. Michael McLachlan (R-24) today applauded Governor Malloy acknowledgement that reduced state spending will be an important component to this year’s budget negotiations.
“The Governor is correct when he says that economic predictability and stability is the key to Connecticut’s future,” Sen. McLachlan said. “Business leaders have told us that the uncertainty about state budgets and talk about tax increases create problems for businesses that want to plan a future in Connecticut.”
Sen. McLachlan said he also was glad to hear during the Governor’s 2017 State of the State speech that the administration will talk to labor leaders about concessions from state employees.
Unfortunately, the Governor also talked about adjusting the formulas used to determine the distribution of state funding to schools and municipalities.
“While the Governor infers that cuts to municipal aid need to be part of the state budget solution, he ignores that our cities and towns are already running lean operations and are required to create balanced budgets,” Sen. McLachlan said. “The state could probably learn a lesson from them.”
Sen. McLachlan said the fact that the Governor recognized that the budget process will be a negotiation is a positive start to the 2017 Legislative Session.
“It’s encouraging,” he said. “I am looking forward to putting Connecticut on the pathway to sustainability.”
Sen. McLachlan represents the communities of Bethel, Danbury, New Fairfield, and Sherman.
Sarah Kaufman
Press Secretary
CT Senate Republican Office