WICS Live: Around the States

Connecticut, Arizona Strike Budget Deals; Pennsylvania Remains Without Budget: Nearly two months into the current fiscal year, Pennsylvania is the only state without a FY 2009 budget Type In Connecticut, Governor Jodi Rell (R) announced September 2nd that she will allow a biennial budget written by Democratic lawmakers to take law without her signature on September 8th, ending the longest budget battle in state history. The two-year, $37 billion budget includes an increase in the state income tax for certain individuals, reduces the estate tax and increases the cigarette tax by $1 to $3 per pack. Rell did exercise her line-item veto authority, cutting about $8.3 million in spending. Arizona’s budget battle ended Friday, September 4th. Governor Jan Brewer's (R) mix of vetoes and bill signings. However, work remains to close a $4 billion spending gap.