Gov. Dannel Malloy reduced Connecticut's executive branch budget by roughly $25 million on Jan. 23. Expected cuts in the legislative and judicial branches bring the total to about $31.5 million, or one-fourth of the fiscal 2015 budget deficit.
Malloy, a Democrat,
"We know these rescissions affect programs that help the people of Connecticut, but we need to control spending to avoid a deficit at year-end," state budget Director Benjamin Barnes said in a statement.
Earlier in the week, Barnes told state Comptroller Kevin Lembo that the deficit spiraled by $89 million over the last month. Barnes cited a sharp reduction in oil companies tax revenue because of falling gasoline prices. He also projected a $120 million shortfall in Medicaid due to increased enrollment.
The Department of Developmental Services received about $8.4 million of cuts the Connecticut state university and regional community and technical colleges were reduced by roughly $2.6 million.
Malloy is scheduled to give his budget message to the legislature on Feb. 18 in Hartford.
