Rell: Deeper budget cuts needed

Gov. M. Jodi Rell told a business group that government today is bigger than the taxpayer’s ability to pay for it.

Rell spoke to the

Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce

today to discuss the upcoming legislative session and budget.

Rell says that the cost-cutting actions that the legislature took in a special session last month were baby steps. She says what’s needed are major budget cuts and rethinking how government works.

Rell and lawmakers are examining several cost-cutting ideas to close the current fiscal year’s deficit and about $6 billion in shortfalls expected in the next two budget years.

The governor says she has retained an attorney to start talking to state labor unions sometime this week, seeking ways to cut costs. (AP)