After an all-nighter to corral enough votes, Democratic leaders in the state House have opened debate this morning on a budget bill that's been heavily criticized by major businesses for raising taxes.
The debate on the two-year, roughly $40 billion fiscal package began at 5:30 this morning with lawmakers this morning dealing first with a series of amendments.
The House originally planned to vote Monday on the budget agreement reached Sunday between Democratic legislators and Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's administration. Those plans were scuttled after General Electric Co., Aetna Inc. and the Travelers Companies Inc. each released rare public statements taking issue with approximately $700 million in business tax increases.
The General Assembly is facing adjournment at midnight Wednesday. If a budget isn't passed, the legislature will have to convene a special session to approve a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
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