Senate Passes Nearly $16.1 Billion Budget Plan

[Nutmegger]

The state Senate gave final approval Monday to a nearly $16.1 billion budget that includes more funding for public schools and municipalities, but does not include Gov. M. Jodi Rell's plan to eliminate local car taxes.

The Democrat-controlled Senate passed the budget on a 35-1 vote. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the same package in a rare Sunday session. Some Republicans said it marked the first time in years they've voted in favor of a budget proposal.

The tax-and-spending plan is a compromise between the majority Democrats and Rell, who has said she will sign it.

Republican legislators credited Rell with keeping spending in check, even though the governor couldn't persuade Democrats to include her proposals to nix the car tax or phase out the inheritance tax.

Full article: http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-senate-budget-0501,0,404755.story?coll=hc-headlines-home

[NewJeffCT]

1. still no campaign finance reform!

Kind of frustrating