Union concessions could be part of next Connecticut state budget battle

Despite approving a new deal to restructure pension costs, state employee unions remain the focal point in what’s shaping up to be a painful struggle to balance Connecticut’s next budget.

With Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposal less than seven weeks away, his budget director warned that, unless unions grant further concessions, avoiding major tax hikes probably would require significant cuts to municipal aid, social services and higher education — and more layoffs.

And even with concessions, officials cannot avoid these other sensitive areas entirely, Office of Policy and Management Secretary Ben Barnes told The Mirror last week.

But labor leaders reject that argument. The way to preserve local aid, state jobs and vital services, they say, is to ask more from the wealthy and to slash robust subsidies and breaks for businesses.

Read more: http://www.theday.com/statenortheast/20161227/union-concessions-could-be-part-of-next-connecticut-state-budget-battle