While the logic is understandable, the decision by the General Assembly to reject an “Exit Plan” providing a path for the state Department of Children and Families to get out from under federal court supervision was the wrong one. Not only will the vote continue to hamstring DCF in dealing with and attempting to prevent child abuse and neglect, it could well end up costing the state more money.

A federal lawsuit filed in the 1980s contended Connecticut was failing in its mission to protect children. In 1989, the agency agreed to a long list of objectives it would have to reach to show it was getting the job done.

Yet under successive commissioners and administrations, DCF has failed to meet all the requirements. The agency would show adequate progress in some areas, only to slip in others.

While teachers complain about standardized testing forcing them to “teach to the test,” rather than have the freedom to pursue more creative and effective approaches to engaging students, DCF administrators could similarly argue they have to kowtow to the court order.

The goal of the federal requirements may be noble, but they mean time spent on paperwork and documentation that could be better spent on direct service. In all DCF does, satisfying the federal overseer is paramount.

The Exit Plan approved by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill provided a path to ending the federal oversight, while recognizing the progress made. It set aside a few remaining hurdles that DCF had to overcome to finally close the case. But it also required the legislature to commit to not making further cuts to the agency’s $795 million budget (trimmed by $100 million from a few years ago) until the final goals were met.

Legislators balked at having their hands tied on a fiscal matter, voting 110-36 in the House and 25-8 in the Senate to kill the deal. General dissatisfaction with DCF also played a role.

Within days of the vote, Judge Underhill indicated he will have to force matters to a conclusion, and suggested that could mean an order requiring the hiring of more DCF staff to drive down caseloads. That, of course, would mean more spending.

Rep. Diana Urban, D-North Stonington and co-chair of the Committee on Children, said the rejection of the Exit Plan could end up costing the state tens of millions of more dollars.

Unfortunately, she is probably right.