Vail Participates in Opening Session
Hartford – State Representative Kurt Vail (Somers/Stafford) participated in a joint session Wednesday at the Captiol convening the 2016 Legislative Session.
“I am proud to be back in Hartford representing the towns of Stafford and Somers,” said Rep. Vail in regard to his participation in today’s session. “It’s no secret the state is facing a massive budget deficit that we must correct in the coming months. As a legislature, we must do so without increasing a financial burden on our taxpayers and municipalities.”
Today’s opening ceremonies mark the beginning of the legislature’s “short session.” This three month session primarily focuses on bills related to budgetary, revenue or financial matters. However, bills pertaining to other subject matter may be submitted by the legislature’s committees of cognizance. Rep. Vail will continue his service on the General Assembly’s Insurance and Real Estate, Labor and Public Employees, and Public Safety and Security committees.
Consequently, the General Assembly will be making adjustments to the state’s biennieum budget. After a failed mitigation session in December, there remains a projected shortfall of over $500 million for the next fiscal year, and for the out years the deficit projection exceeds $4 billion.
Rep. Vail participated in a press conference held by House and Senate Republicans earlier in the week regarding budget priorities for 2016. Three points were unveiled at the press conference by Republican Leadership, which have been summarized below:
1.) Long-term structural changes to restore sustainability and increase predictability of state budget estimates
2.) Prioritizing transportation funding and protecting transportation funds
3.) Closing the current fiscal year deficit and addressing the fiscal year 2017 budget deficit in the upcoming legislative session, in order to fix the state’s budget woes
The 2016 session will adjourn Wednesday, May 4th.
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