Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is expected to sign the state’s $43 billion two-year budget into law this week. Republicans allege the budget is unconstitutional.
Senate Republican Minority Leader Len Fasano claims the budget is not balanced as required by the state constitution. It includes $450 million in state employee union savings that have yet to be agreed to by the unions. Fasano said Lamont should not sign the budget.
“He cannot under operation of law, under the constitution of the state of Connecticut, sign a budget which is not constitutional.”
UConn political scientist Ron Schurin said the union agreement does not require rank and file approval, so Lamont should not be deterred by Republican objection.
“Therefore the budget is in balance as I understand it. But of course this is subject to legal challenge, and I suppose we will see where that goes.”
Lamont has to sign the bill this week for the budget to take effect on July 1.
