SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN SUPPORTS GOVERNOR’S CUTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      Friday, November 21, 2008

Contact: Senator Lou D’Allesandro

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SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN SUPPORTS GOVERNOR’S CUTS

CONCORD – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Lou D’Allesandro praised the governor today for his continuing efforts to rein in spending as the global economic crisis takes its toll on state revenues.

Today, the Joint Fiscal Committee, on which D’Allesandro serves, approved the first of the governor’s latest executive orders by a vote of 8-2 and the second unanimously.

By acting now, lawmakers hope to save money over the last seven months of the biennium. “To delay this action would really be unconscionable,” D’Allesandro (D-Manchester) said.

“These are difficult economic times and we will do what it takes to maintain a balanced budget. But we also need to minimize the hurt to our communities and especially our neediest citizens. Our priorities will continue to put people first,” he said.

The governor’s latest executive orders reduce spending by about $75 million, including specific reductions to state agencies, deferring the award of certain grants, restricting overtime and cutting judicial and legislative budgets. The latter would require legislative action. These cuts would come in addition to the roughly $100 million in cuts made through earlier executive orders this year.