State Employee Unions Hammer Malloy In Ads

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy often speaks of Connecticut's "new economic reality," whose hallmarks are smaller, leaner government and limited growth.

Now one of the state's largest public employees unions is invoking the phrase in a television ad critical of the Democratic governor. But instead of cutbacks and layoffs, the 30-second ad envisions a different economic reality, "one where politicians have the courage to stand up to millionaires and billionaires and stop balancing the budget on the backs of middle class families."

The ad, which is set to begin airing Wednesday, is part of a larger campaign launched by SEIU 1199. The union has been underwriting a series of TV spots highlighting the pain brought on by government cuts and layoffs. Earlier commercials focused on the impact on people with disabilities, mental illness and opioid addiction.

Malloy and the Democratic-controlled legislature agreed to the reductions as part of an effort to balance the $19.76 billion budget and close a gap projected at $1 billion for the fiscal year that started July 1.

Read more: http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-unions-ads-budget-cuts-20160913-story.html