Republican legislative leaders give Gov. Dannel P. Malloy credit for producing an "honest budget" that doesn't rely on one-time gimmicks.
But they say the Democratic governor's first budget doesn't reduce government spending from current levels and that more cuts are needed given the extensive tax increases that Malloy is proposing.
"I'm very concerned about the direction were going in,'' John McKinney, Senate Republican leader, said during a press conference at the Capitol this afternoon. "I clearly thought the balance between reductions and spending and tax increases would be greater.''
McKinney and House GOP Leader Larry Cafero spoke with reporters after a 2 1/2 hour meeting with Malloy budget guru Ben Barnes and strategist Roy Occhiogrosso this morning.
The Republicans faulted Malloy for proposing $1.5 billion in new taxes without making what they said were significant cuts in government spending.