Connecticut AFL-CIO Statement on Gov. Malloy’s Revised Budget Proposal

Lori J. Pelletier, President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, made the following statement in response to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s revised budget proposal:

“Gov. Malloy has doubled down on an austerity budget plan that deepens cuts to programs for the state’s most vulnerable, reduces transparency by eliminating the State Contracting Standards Board, and potentially risks public safety with the elimination of funding for fire training schools and deferring a new class of state troopers. On top of this, the state is laying off frontline public service workers despite the workforce already being cut to the bone.

“Unbelievably, one of the few revenues the Governor is considering is an elimination of the property tax credit that primarily benefits the state’s middle class. At the same time, he ignores the over $7 billion in tax expenditures – many subsidizing big businesses – that are in desperate need of review.

“Our budget should be based on investments in fundamentals that make Connecticut’s economy grow – things like investing in workforce development, infrastructure, and raising the wage floor for all working people.”

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