Malloy signs bill to fix Conn. budget deficit

Associated Press

Updated: Dec 24, 2012 3:19 PM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has signed legislation that finishes addressing Connecticut's current $365 million budget deficit.

The Democratic governor had already ordered $170 million in spending cuts using his executive branch authority. Those reductions, however, netted out to $108.5 million after lost reimbursements were taken into account.

The bill covering the difference was passed overwhelmingly by the General Assembly last week and signed by Malloy on Monday.

It includes cuts in state payments to hospitals over the next six months to cover uninsured patients and the transfer of remaining balances in numerous accounts to help cover the red ink.

Lawmakers are scheduled to return to the state Capitol on Jan. 9 for the regular session, when they'll have to grapple with a projected deficit in the new two-year fiscal year.

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