Malloy talks of surpluses while his new budget aims for a deficit

The CT Mirror ^

[matt04]

When animated television tyke Lisa Simpson had to announce a tax increase to the American public, she deftly called it a "temporary refund adjustment," avoiding any mention of the three-letter T-word.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's administration stole a page from The Simpsons last week, repackaging a projected deficit in his new budget as a conditional surplus -- all without using the D-word.

But while Lisa earned accolades from the fictional voters who only heard her mention a "refund," it remains unclear whether Malloy effectively steered the political debate -- and media coverage -- away from the $424 million hole his budget is headed for one year after it would take effect.

"I was left wondering what the hell had happened," Rep. Vincent J. Candelora, a North Branford Republican, said of the $20.7 billion budget Malloy offered for the fiscal year that starts in July. "I think they found a way to circumvent the open and transparent part of our budget process, and the public should be outraged."

But New Haven Democrat William Dyson, a retired lawmaker who co-chaired the Appropriations Committee for 16 years (under four governors) through 2004, said the budget presentation skillfully takes advantage of the legislature and media's optimistic tendencies when it comes to state finances. The more bad news that can be presented as good news, the better.

"The environment there has always been to turn your head and look away from anything bad," he said. "There's always been this notion that next year might be better and not something we need to worry about today."

[matt04]

"The environment there has always been to turn your head and look away from anything bad," he said. "There's always been this notion that next year might be better and not something we need to worry about today."

That explains a lot.