Rell Playing Fast And Loose With Mass Trans Budget

The Hour reported earlier today that a budget cut itemized in the state budget will result in bus and train fare increases. The man who inspired solitaire play in the Legislature had this to say:

State Rep. Larrence Cafero, R-142, called that passage “another reason why I voted against this budget, and said some last-minute money juggling from the Democrats produced a $15 million shortfall in bus and rail subsidies.

“My prediction is there will be a rate increase (Oct. 1),” Cafero said. “Where’s that other $15 million coming from? I asked the author of the budget that very same question, and he didn’t have an answer.”

State Senators Bob Duff D- Norwalk and Andrew McDonald D-Stamford and State Reps Chris Perone-D Norwalk and Gail Slosberg D-Milford were quick to refute that characterization and held a press conference at the SoNo Train station later in the day.

According to Bob Duff, it was Governor Rell who added the budget cut of $3.95 million to the rail/bus subsidy line item. Duff pointed out, “Connecticut has the lowest train subsidy in the nation.” Here we pause, to think about the 45% pie slice of all Connecticut tax revenue that comes from Fairfield County. Impassable by road Fairfield County.

The cut apparently was put in the last hours of�budget�gotiations because Governor Rell wanted �some money put back in for personnel in some loosely named slushy type line item at the DMV and DOT. In addition to the $3.5 million, $4.2 million of “consultant services” was taken out of something relation to the train operations, maybe something to do with the New Haven Rail yards, so that Rell could have her slushy personnel budget account. Consultant services? Where? Who?

It would seem that while Larry Cafero was arguing against the last minute add-ins to the state budget, Rell was off playing solitarily.

The legislature will reconvene on September 23rd and 24th for a special session.