Republicans Ask To Talk Economy During Special Session; Democrats Decline

With the legislature heading into special session next week to vote on incentives for Sikorsky Aircraft, Republicans are asking Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to expand the agenda of the session to include items of unfinished business to kick-start the economy.

That includes voting on union contracts for state employees, pension reform, capping borrowing on state construction projects and reinstating the state's Transportation Strategy Board — which Republicans say should not wait for action until the regular session begins next year.

But Malloy and Democratic legislators strongly rejected the idea Wednesday, saying that next week's session should be narrowly focused on keeping Sikorsky at its longtime headquarters in Stratford and preserving jobs through a state-paid package valued at up to $220 million. As part of the package, Sikorsky will build 200 CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters.

"As we face a wonderful opportunity to keep and add good-paying jobs in our state, and hundreds of millions of dollars to our economy, the Republican minority leaders sadly prefer to try to turn this into a political game," House Speaker Brendan Sharkey said. "Once again, it looks like Republican leadership will remain an oxymoron at the state Capitol."

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