Malloy Asks Labor To Continue To Help Solve Budget Deficit

[TexasTowelie]

Last month Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was able to reach an agreement with the state employee unions to make changes to the pension fund without changing the benefits state employees receive.

However, in his speech Wednesday he indicated that he would like to continue to work with labor leaders “to find solutions for bringing employee costs in line with our economic reality. These talks have been frank and direct so far, and I’m appreciative that state workers are taking part in them.”

Labor officials said they are still talking with the Malloy administration, but being at the table doesn’t mean they plan on opening the 2011 contract to renegotiate their health and pension benefits.

“It’s very hard, but we must reach an agreement on how to make our pensions and benefits more affordable, as we face these fiscal challenges together,” Malloy said. “We must recognize that a responsible and balanced solution to our budget problem is one that includes state employee concessions.”

Read more: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/malloy_asks_labor_to_continue_to_help_solve_budget_deficit/

[Buckeye_Democrat]

1. Et tu, Connecticut?

The business community appreciated Malloy’s message Wednesday.

Joe Brennan, president and CEO of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, said reducing budget deficits and making government more efficient is a good first step.

“Second, make state employee wages and benefits more affordable for taxpayers,” Brennan said. “We believe this, along with leaning government, are important steps in closing budget gaps while maintaining essential services and avoiding further harmful tax increases.”

Malloy will give his budget address in February, but if his speech Wednesday was a road map then it’s certain labor and progressive Democrats aren’t going to like it.

“What’s conspicuously absent were any clear plans to stimulate job creation, address the state’s income inequality (the second worst in the nation), and begin to diversify our economy — even when there are some obvious solutions right there under our noses,” Lindsay Farrell, executive director of the Connecticut Working Families Party, said.