Kim Fawcett / A primer on the budget process

As election season heats up this fall, no issue will be hotter in the legislative races than the state budget. Misleading or inaccurate information about the numbers and how the budget is developed will inevitably be circulated by candidates trying to win votes. Don't get burned.

It's helpful to know the facts about Connecticut's budget process [link to state document about the budget process http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa/Documents/AboutOFA/BudgetProcess.htm] before making choices at the polls on Nov. 2.

Connecticut operates on a two-year budget cycle. At the beginning of each odd-numbered year -- most recently 2009 -- a statewide budget is initiated and created by the governor and presented to the legislature for approval in the spring of that session. Once approved, the budget takes effect at the start of the new fiscal year on July 1.

State representatives and senators elected this November will begin work on a new biennial budget for 2011-13.

During even-numbered years or "off" budget years, as we had in 2010, the legislative session is shorter and focused primarily on the task of making adjustments or fixes to the budget already in play. We're not building a budget from scratch during that period. This is important to know because your representative can vote one way on the original budget and a different way on the proposed adjustments the following year. My voting record is a case in point: I voted "no" on the 2009 budget package [Link to my 2009 biennial budget vote http://cga.ct.gov/2009/VOTE/H/2009HV-00446-R00HB06802-HV.htm] and "yes" on the adjustments in 2010 [link to my 2010 vote on budget adjustments http://cga.ct.gov/2010/VOTE/H/2010HV-00258-R00SB00494-HV.htm].

The legislative role

Much of the power to develop the budget rests with the Governor, but in recent years the legislative branch has taken a more active role in the process. The Appropriations and Finance Committees, in particular, are now deeply involved and have access to key information once available only to the governor's staff.

The legislature kicks into action after the state's chief executive presents a plan. Legislators are tasked with conducting hearings on the budget to allow for public input and ultimately with making changes based on that public feedback. The adjustment phase in the off year is crucial given that budgeting is an inexact science. Time is needed to reassess revenue projections based on the latest information and to realign spending accordingly. The recession has added to the difficulty of getting the numbers right on the first pass.

Economic complications

Revenue estimates in almost every state in the nation have been extremely volatile over the past two years with the ongoing turbulence in our economy. It was not until the tail end of 2009, after months of political maneuvering, that Democrats, Republicans and the governor found common ground and began to work on the budget using the same revenue projections.

And still the game continues to change as revenue estimates surprise. The widely criticized proposal to borrow $1.3 billion to fill our state's shortfall last year was a key factor in my "no" vote on the budget. However, the amount to be borrowed is now projected to be closer to $600 million. Still too much borrowing we might argue, but telling evidence as to how rapidly numbers can change during uncertain times.

The road ahead

Connecticut will enter 2011 with a projected $3 billion to $6 billion shortfall (yes, it depends on who you talk to, the source you are referencing and the ever-changing economic challenges we face). With deficit projections that will likely top 20 percent of our total budget, the 2011 biennial budget process promises to present seemingly insurmountable challenges and difficult decisions that will result in further cuts to services.

Much is at stake for all of us. Don't miss the opportunity this fall to make your voice heard, to learn the facts about the budget and to send experienced, thoughtful leaders to Hartford -- those who understand how to build bridges and work across party lines to achieve workable results for our families.

Kim Fawcett is seeking re-election to represent the 133rd District, which includes parts of Fairfield and Westport.