Time for reality check

The Republican administration and the Democrat-controlled General Assembly must stop the finger-pointing when it comes to assessing blame for the perennial deficit spending.

This week Senate Democrats gave final approval to $12 million in budget cuts and swept up another $28 million from unspent money in various accounts. Along with a decision to postpone a promised reduction in the estate tax, a move that adds $76 million to revenue projections, the changes produced $116 million to close the budget gap for the current fiscal year.

The problem is that legislative analysts project the budget gap at nearly $400 million.

Senate President Donald E. Williams, D-Brooklyn, notes that Gov. M. Jodi Rell has not come up with all the savings projected in the budget. "The governor needs to live within the means of the biennial budget," said the senator.

Unfair, replies the governor's budget director, Robert L. Genuario. The administration confronts increases in Medi-caid and workers' compensation and, while doing its best to cut spending, cannot meet some of the projected budget savings because they are not realistic.

We know this: The latest tussle over how to close the budget gap is a small challenge when compared to the long-term structural problems confronting the state. Having used the Rainy Day Fund, borrowed heavily to meet ongoing expenses and utilized one-time federal stimulus money, the administration and General Assembly will soon have to make real changes in the size and structure of government. This will mean painful cuts, reorganization and probably tax increases.

A couple of local Democrats, recognizing reality has to set in, broke ranks and voted against the miniscule budget mitigation plan drafted by their party - state Sen. Andrew Maynard, the Stonington Democrat representing the 18th District, and Rep. Steven Mikutel, the 45th District assemblyman from Griswold.

Political leaders on both sides of this debate need to make a New Year's resolution to get real about the fiscal problems confronting Connecticut.