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Hartford, CT – The Connecticut House of Representatives is getting ready to take up the two-year, $40.1 billion state budget that the state Senate approved overnight.
The House is scheduled to convene today at noon. Members will likely begin debating the bill later in the afternoon.
Senators debated the budget deal reached by the General Assembly's majority Democrats and Democratic Governor Dannel P. Malloy for nearly 11 hours. Much of the focus was on how the plan raises taxes by $1.4 billion in the first year and $1.2 billion in the second. Republicans say businesses and middle class taxpayers can't afford the increases.
But Malloy says the budget will stabilize the state's finances and lead to job creation. He says lawmakers should be commended for casting what he called "a tough vote."
Tristan O'Neill, WAMC News.
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