Malloy Speaks of "Nasty, Ugly" Alternatives to his Budget

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said today he has begun work on an "ugly" alternative budget in case talks with state employees do no not yield significant savings in the next month.

"I am preparing recommendations with respect to what that would look like," Malloy said. "I hope we don't have to go there. It would be nasty and ugly."

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Malloy declined to assess the state of talks with unionized state employees, from whom he is seeking $1 billion in concessions and savings in the fiscal year beginning July 1.

"They are not over," he said of the talks. "So I am happy."

Malloy conceded for the first time that his goal of obtaining legislative approval on a budget in May relies on the labor talks, and that he does not yet have $1 billion in alternative cuts.

"I think if we have fruitful discussions, there is no reason why we can't have a budget by May 6," Malloy said. "If we don't have fruitful discussions, then we have to go in a different track."

Malloy did not give a deadline for the talks, but he pointedly noted that the Appropriations Committee has until April 27 to vote on the budget.

"So, it's a matter of week, not months," he said.

Mark Ojakian, the governor's chief negotiator, said he is optimist about the talks, though he ackowledged time is growing tight.

"Every day is important. I view my discussions as critical in terms of a time line," he said.

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FULL AUDIO of Malloy on Where We Live is here.