Lamont slams Rell's budget

by: CaptCT

Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 09:09:39 AM EST

He called her budget - $38.3 billion over two years with cuts meant to correct predicted billion-dollar deficits - a smattering of quick fixes with little in the way of important changes.

Pointing out the projected deficits for the next several years, he said the need for change at the Capitol should be obvious.

"This is the time for Connecticut to make the big changes that are so long overdue," Lamont said. "We as a country and we as a state have consistently underestimated the scale of the issues and crisis in front of us."

Rell recommended that people turn out lights when leaving their offices and not travel out of state as a way of paying down the deficit. Lamont hit at her intention to borrow against the state's rainy-day fund.

"Her plan is extraordinarily shortsighted, and you young people should be outraged because they've borrowed against your future," he said to the students.

Lamont said he plans to take a crack at this budget himself, along with other members of his public policy committee at Central Connecticut State University.

Lamont, who was made a distinguished professor of political science and philosophy, said the university arts and sciences public policy committee he leads will be looking at ways to fix the economic problems and get the state going again.

"We're going to take a look at this deficit and look at it in a serious way and hopefully present an alternative to the governor that will prepare the state for when we're on the back side of this depression and get the state rolling again," he said.

Oh, and in case you were wondering ...

Lamont said he was not considering a run for either the governor's seat or a senate seat.