Connecticut’s Democratic governor will have to reckon with a new legislative landscape when the General Assembly reconvenes in January. The state Senate is now split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, and the GOP also picked up eight seats in the House, leaving Democrats with a slim, seven-seat majority.
Governor Dannel Malloy said Wednesday he hopes to find common cause with Republicans during budget negotiations next year.
"I think on budgetary policy, I may be more conservative than some of my democratic colleagues," he said. "We have real issues to confront in Connecticut, not the least of which is the failure of my predecessors and the legislature to have assured the proper funding of pensions and post-employment benefits."
Lieutant Governor Nancy Wyman confirmed that she expects to break any tied votes in the state Senate, her constitutional role in the chamber.
Among other changes the election brought about, the Affordable Care Act may now be under threat because of the national presidential result. But the governor is urging customers to continue to sign up for the state’s health care exchange.
"We are in the enrollment period. People should be making those decisions," he said. "No one should miss the opportunity to have coverage, or to continue to have coverage."
Malloy also said he may have to be prepared to revisit the legalization of recreational marijuana, because of the outcome of a referendum in Massachusetts, but he said he remains skeptical of the change.
