More Layoffs, Vo-Tech School Closures Possible As Malloy's Budget Office Seeks Spending Cuts

Spending cuts that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is seeking due to the expected continuation of a slow-growth economy could result in further staff reductions and the closure of some vocational schools.

In preparing the budget for the next two-year period, Malloy is seeking suggestions for 10 percent reductions from agencies in order to weigh the options for making cuts that will be decided in the coming months.

Since fixed costs could increase by more than $1.1 billion in the next fiscal year with no explosive economic growth to pay for it, Malloy's budget chief says "cuts to agency spending will be necessary" for the fiscal year that starts on July 1, 2017. Malloy is not expected to unveil the budget proposal until February, but his budget team has begun work.

In a detailed letter to state agency heads, budget chief Benjamin Barnes said the commissioners will need to "redouble our efforts" as they prepare for the two-year budget for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

Read more: http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-malloy-preparing-budget-cuts-20161005-story.html