Connecticut 2009 Budget Update

Michael Fedele
Lieutenant Governor
State of Connecticut

September 4, 2009

Dear Fellow Republican,

As you all know, this week the Legislative Democrats voted to pass a budget that did not reflect the compromise that was proposed by Governor Rell. The budget, effective on Sunday, is a reflection of the Democrat’s gluttonous habit of spending beyond our means. This budget will spend far more in annually recurring expenditures than the state is poised to collect in annual revenue.

Last week the Governor showed leadership by once again putting another offer on the table for the Democrats. Governor Rell accepted tax increases that she has vehemently opposed and did not want, but she did so to move forward with the process in an act of compromise in return for other cuts in state government and cost-saving measures. The Democrats, untrue to their word, decided to do otherwise.

In a final showing of the Democrat’s insatiable thirst for spending, they added further earmarks costing Connecticut residents millions of dollars in additional spending. Governor Rell for the first time used her line-item veto power to cut reckless spending from this bill. Governor Rell decided not to veto the bill in its entirety because our state needs a budget and it is time to end the stalemate. However, the Governor refused to sign the bill as a gesture of her discontent towards the Democrats disregard for the taxpayers in our state.

Contrary to what some members of the House Republican Caucus have told their constituents, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor does not have the power to veto legislation. However misleading this information may have been, I do share many of their concerns about the budget and the people of the State of Connecticut. For the record, I wholeheartedly oppose tax increases on the residents of our great state, and feel that this burden should not be placed on the taxpayers.

As Lieutenant Governor, I stand with Governor Rell in her belief that we need a budget to stabilize our state and return to the operation of state government that the Connecticut residents demand and deserve. However, as a resident and business owner in Connecticut, I too will be greatly affected by the strain that the Democrat’s budget puts on the shoulders of those who form the backbone of our state’s economy.

We are at a time when the Republican Party in Connecticut needs to stand together against the majority, grow our party’s ranks and fight for the principles that formed our Party. I am ready and willing to join fellow Republicans across our great state, to stand up for what we believe in, and together, we shall prevail.

Michael Fedele

MikeFedeleCT@gmail.com

* * * Not Paid For With Taxpayer Dollars * * *

Return to News & Opinion page.