In 2010, as the administration of Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell sputtered to its end, the Democratic legislature mended together a budget full of holes. It borrowed heavily to meet ongoing expenses, failed to adequately contribute to the state pension fund, making a bad situation worse, and assured the next governor would begin his term facing a $3.5 billion deficit. The state still struggles with the aftermath of that fiduciary abdication.

Bucking his Democratic leadership, Sen. Andrew Maynard of Stonington called out the budget for what it was — a sham. The potential for a coalition of moderate Democratic lawmakers, like Sen. Maynard, and Republicans to offer an alternative crumbled when Gov. Rell made it clear she was in no mood to fight. Nonetheless, Sen. Maynard would vote “no” during the budget roll call.

That voice of fiscal moderation is sadly lacking as the state faces another budget debate with long-term implications. Though the fiscal situation is not as dire as a few years ago, the decisions made in the next few weeks will be critical.

Negotiations focus on the competing budget proposals of Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who proposes deep cuts in human services spending and state grant programs, and the legislature’s Democratic leadership, which wants to boost spending and preserve programs by broadening the sales tax to include many more services and hiking the income tax rate on the wealthy.

The Malloy administration has rejected an alternative proposal by the Republican minority, calling for reduced state labor costs through union concessions.

It would be great to learn where Sen. Maynard stands, to see him use his veteran leadership position to push for compromise and perhaps bring Republicans into the tent. Unfortunately, the public does not know his position. He won’t even grant an interview.

Still recovering from the effects of a serious brain injury suffered in a fall last July, Sen. Maynard is not the legislator he was. It's difficult to ascertain how diminished his capacity is. Legislative colleagues decline to talk on the record about their observations of his ability.

“Sen. Maynard isn’t quite ready for an interview. He’s still working on improving his speech,” responded Adam Joseph, a spokesman for Senate Democrats, when Day Staff Writer Joe Wojtas sought an interview with the 18th District senator.

In doing research for a a recent article on Sen. Maynard, Mr. Wojtas found the senator had attended only a couple of committee meetings. No updated information has appeared on Sen. Maynard’s constituent website in more than four months. Despite being co-chair of the Transportation Committee, Sen. Maynard did not attend a critical Feb. 25 hearing on whether to re-establish tolls in the state, an issue of particular importance for a senator representing a district bordering with Rhode Island.

Sen. Maynard did vote in favor of a bill that came out of the Transportation Committee March 18 that would open the door to restoration of highway tolls. He took that position despite opposition from municipal leaders in Stonington and North Stonington, who fear border tolls would send more drivers onto local roads. Yet the vote was consistent with Sen. Maynard’s prior willingness to discuss the use of tolls to generate needed transportation funding.

Under normal circumstances, the senator would explain his thinking.

While voters in the 18th District may be frustrated, questioning whether their senator has the ability to adequately represent their interests, the situation should come as no surprise. Recovery from head injuries is difficult to predict. Sen. Maynard did not campaign in 2014. While family members expressed optimism, voters could not be assured of the senator’s ability to serve, yet they elected him overwhelmingly.

The Day acknowledged this dilemma in choosing not to endorse anyone in the 18th District race, pointing to “too many unanswered questions” surrounding Sen. Maynard and a Republican challenger who had few ideas and seemingly no eagerness to serve.

To a large degree, those questions remain unanswered. It will be up to Sen. Maynard, in consultation with his physicians, family members and colleagues, to ascertain after this session whether progress is sufficient for him to return next year and complete the second year of his two-year term.