‘Fiscal situation falling apart’

Malloy, Bond Commission disagree over state spending

HARTFORD >> It was only the second state Bond Commission meeting of the year, but like the state’s fiscal situation there were disagreements about almost everything on the agenda, including how someone should cast their vote.

State Rep. Chris Davis, R-East Windsor, said he didn’t believe the state should be borrowing $351.7 million when it’s facing a $389.8 million deficit this fiscal year and a $5.1 billion deficit over the next two years.

“There’s a lot of things on this bond agenda that shouldn’t be on this bond agenda when the fiscal situation in Connecticut is falling apart,” Davis told Malloy.

He said the Connecticut Science Center, a private, nonprofit organization getting $3.4 million, a senior center in Willimantic getting over $1 million, the Mystic Aquarium going to get $5 million “just doesn’t make sense to me.”

He said “right now we just can’t afford to do this.”

Malloy disagreed. He said there are plenty of worthwhile projects, including ones that improve economic development in the state.

Following the meeting Malloy highlighted the $8.5 million loan the commission approved for SCA Pharmaceuticals, an Arkansas-based company, that has decided to establish a presence in Windsor.

There was also more than $6 million for improvements to the heating and cooling system at York Correctional Institution, the only female

prison in the state.

“Are we supposed to allow that facility to deteriorate further?” Malloy asked.

Davis, who is one of the two Republicans on the 10-member commission, voted against every item on the agenda. His votes were recorded and announced.

However, his colleague state Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-Greenwich, remained silent when it came to voting.

“My policy is not to waste time by voting no,” Frantz said.

Malloy told Frantz “if you want to go on record as voting no then you gotta vote no.”

Frantz replied that “The clerk knows that I’m a no on pretty much everything.”

The clerk threw up his hands and shook his head as if to let Malloy know that wasn’t true.

Malloy told Frantz that there’s an audience of people who deserve to know how he was voting on every item.

“If you want to vote on an item, you have to vote,” Malloy told Frantz.

Frantz maintained his silence throughout the meeting when Malloy called for a vote.

“I would like to stick with my policy that the clerk knows I vote no on everything,” Frantz told Malloy.

The clerk again shook his head.

“If I don’t hear a vote, it’s recorded as unanimous,” the clerk said.

Following the meeting, Malloy joked that “apparently they have different rules in Greenwich.” This story has been modified from its original version. To view the original, visit ctnewsjunkie.com.