CASE OPPOSES COSTLY FINANCIAL INITIATIVES

Hartford – State Representative Jay Case (R-63) voted against two costly financial deals that came before the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The two financial packages included a pension refinance deal for state employees, and consideration of the Jaun F. class action law suit against the Department of Children and Family Services (DCF).

“I disagree with the idea that the pension refinance deal will result in savings for upcoming fiscal years,” explained Case in regard to his opposition of the refinance package. “There are places in the budget right now that are massively underfunded. The figures that are being thrown around, which are arbitrary in nature, will not result in savings but will be immediately needed to close current financial gaps.”

Case went on to explain that in order for a refinance deal to be successful, there must also be structural changes made to the state employee pension system. For instance, Case and his Republican colleagues suggested that all new state employees be enrolled in a defined contribution plan as opposed to a defined benefit. This structure places more financial liability on the employee rather than the state.

Despite Case’s opposition, the refinance package successfully passed the House with a final vote of 76-72. It now heads to the Senate for further action.

“In terms of the Juan F. settlement, $800 million is a significant amount of money to lock into one specific agency,” stated Case. “Taxpayers fund the operations of various state agencies, and this earmark would effectively limit the pool for the additional agencies that serve a critical function to Connecticut residents.”

The final vote tally on the House Floor was 110-36, effectively denying the earmarked state dollars. It now moves to the Senate for confirming action.

The House of Representatives will re-convene next Wednesday, February 8, 2017.

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