While mustering legislators’ support for tolls and a long-term transportation plan remains his top priority, Gov. Ned Lamont has also recently raised the specter of emergency budget cuts — something his predecessor did frequently to the consternation of the General Assembly.
But while Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s cuts came amidst significant budget shortfalls, Lamont is weighing reductions to close a deficit equal to just 1/7th of 1% of the General Fund.
More importantly, Lamont is taking aim at the $28 million deficit projection even as analysts estimate a new savings program in the current budget holds a $318 million windfall. In other words, under old budget rules, instead of a $28 million deficit projection, Connecticut would be anticipating a $290 million surplus.