Malloy releases additional spending cuts

Representatives from the governor’s office and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) are scheduled to meet with with members of the four legislative caucuses this week to review budget cuts aimed to close the projected budget deficit for the 2013 fiscal year.

The state comptroller’s office and OPM estimate the gap will be between $365 million and $415 million.

During the meetings, officials will primarily review a road map of $390 million of cuts Gov. Dannel P. Malloy released Dec. 7, which added on to the governor’s original proposal to cut $170 million for government agencies. Half of all Malloy’s new cuts are aimed at the Department of Social Services, which houses the state’s Medicaid program. However, the proposal didn’t specificity where in the department the cuts would be made.

Officials say the deficit is primarily due to increased use and enrollment in Medicaid as a result of long-term unemployment and a slow national economic recovery.

A special session to come to a final agreement is scheduled for Dec. 19.