Updated 5/18/16
Highlights of the Budget Implementer
The amended budget which was brought forth in a Special Session of the General Assembly passed in the Senate on a party line vote on 5/12. The House passed the budget by a narrow 74-70 vote on 5/13.
Although the budget that passed is still a job-killing budget, this budget was somewhat different than the proposal that never made it to the floor during the regular session. In particular, the budget that passed does NOT transfer all A&R Staff Attorneys to the AGs office as the original budget proposed. This budget does appear to impose higher cost-sharing of health insurance benefits and pension contributions for non-union employees although we are not quite sure how this will be enacted This budget also caps non-union pensions at $125,000 for those hired after July 1, 2016. The biggest impact to state employees are in the reductions to the workforce. This budget trims the state payroll by thousands. Staff reductions could be achieved through regular attrition such as retirements or resignations but could also include a significant level of layoffs. This budget also does not incorporate raises for state employees.
This budget will balance the fiscal year of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. There aren't any expected or necessary adjustments until revenue receipts are reviewed in November 2016. This truly is an "austere" budget and will be difficult to accept as employees of the State. A&R wishes to thank all of the members who reached out to their legislators and for their participation in phone banking, marches, meet-n-greets with our legislators, etc. Certainly our lobbyists with AFT-CT did a fantastic job in keeping our interests in the game. All of our combined efforts did have an impact in softening the original catastrophic budget proposal and moved the ball in our direction quite some distance. There will be more to come as we now maneuver with the budget constraints imposed.