Rell, Lawmakers Special Session?

By Susan Haigh

Associated Press

HARTFORD — The governor and legislative leaders will meet to discuss the possibility of a special session to spend the state’s newfound $22 million surplus on those struggling with high home heating prices.

Governor M. Jodi Rell wants lawmakers to act before August 30, when the money will automatically be deposited into the state’s Rainy Day Fund. She said the money could instead be used to boost the existing Operation Fuel program.

But State Comptroller Nancy Wyman warned on July 28 that the state estimates it will close the current fiscal year with a $150 million deficit. If legislators spend this surplus, Wyman said, “You’ve now caused that deficit to be even larger.”

Rell, a Republican, recently announced that the 2007-08 fiscal year ended June 30 with a surplus of about $22 million. She credited her hiring freeze and spending cutbacks at state agencies.

Wyman maintains the bulk of the surplus comes from leftover money in certain state accounts that was not carried over into the new fiscal year.

“This is a one-shot deal if you’re going to do it,” she said. “It’s not built on actual surplus moneys. To me, it’s building on a bigger hole.”