Looking for Assets to Sell

Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell last week ordered state commissioners and agency chiefs to identify assets that could be sold to help close the budget deficit as talks continued with lawmakers.

The state ended its fiscal year last month without a new budget as the GOP governor and the Democratic-led General Assembly were unable to compromise over proposed tax hikes and budget cuts. Rell said that Democrats have supported the sale of assets to raise $112 million.

“Negotiations are continuing and I am committed to developing an affordable, reasonable budget for the next two fiscal years,” Rell said in a press release. “We must consider parting with parcels we would never consider selling in the ordinary course of business — among them the Seaside property in Waterford. I will need each agency head to think creatively and constructively about assets that can be sold to reach this ambitious goal without dramatically hindering state operations.”

Assets that could be sold include land, buildings, cars and equipment.

Recommendations are due next week. Meanwhile, Rell has drafted an executive order to fund state government in August in case a budget is not passed by then.

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