Rep. Ackert Calls for Real Budget Numbers

Rep. Ackert Calls for Real Budget Numbers

HARTFORD – State Rep. Tim Ackert (R-8) today joined his Republican colleagues in the House and Senate and called on Governor Malloy’s budget office to explain why conflicting budget information was presented to administration officials and the public.

“The current administration should be held accountable for not providing the real budget numbers to the general assembly and the Comptroller’s office,” said Rep. Ackert. “Why is the current administration reporting different budget totals to the Comptroller’s office then the Office of Fiscal Analysis? The residents and small business owners in my district deserve to know the truth about our state’s fiscal woes. The goal for all of us should be to address our state’s perpetual fiscal crisis, but it seems that the majority party and the Governor want to hide the truth from the public instead of addressing our fiscal problems.”

After a request from Republican leaders earlier in the summer, the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) said the current fiscal year deficit is projected to be about $78 million. Despite those figures, a CT Mirror story reported state agency heads were told of an impending deficit while Comptroller Lembo was told the budget was in balance.

During the press conference, the House and Senate Republicans also called on the Appropriations and Finance, Revenue & Bonding committees to hold an informational hearing so officials from the governor’s budget office have the opportunity to explain the discrepancies in their budget numbers as compared to the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis.

The 2017-2018 legislative session begins at noon on Wednesday, January 4.

###