WOW!!
Now Im impressed!!
He plans to close the gap by ...(drum roll) putting money into it.
Where will he get the money? Shhh..dont bother with that--he just needs to tell us he will put money into the fund. There is no reason to actually find ways to cut the obligations--because that would mean he would hold public unions partially to pay for the underfundedness. And that just doesnt happen with Democrats. They just know how to raise taxes and give the money to the people who vote for them. The fact that he is driving people and businesses out of the state that can pay-- doesnt matter. These people think it is their god given right to just tax and tax.

How exactly does Mr. Malloy explain to us that our crushing debt in this state is not related to our bond rating? And I love the analogy of saving when you are young EXCEPT that we are having to catch up on missed payments over a number of years. And I love the fact that the money will just appear out of thin air, as if it has been there all along. The writer might want to go back and ask where the money is coming from and if the Gov. says he has no idea - a good detail to include I would think.

Plus--Malloy says that this announcement has nothing to do with the downgrade.
Awesome bravado.
But honestly, a SMART man would actually say," YES it does have to do with addressing the concerns of the debt rating company that just downgraded us. This hopefully will help us to regain the higher rating so that our borrowing costs are not materially affected."
But-no. Malloy is so used to lying and spinning that he regards anything close to being honest as being dangerous and not a good idea. So, he says No--this has nothing to do with it. Seriously--the guy is such an idiot.
Would anyone in debt make sure that lenders feel as though you are not making attempts to assuage their worries? What is it with this guy?

A look at what Scott Walker has accomplished in Wisconsin could serve as a roadmap for what Malloy should do here.

Paul, ah yes, all the standard liberal media and union cliches. If you wish to be a shill for union power and higher taxes, count me out of the discussion.

Here are a few paragraphs from a recent WSJ editorial:

"Since last summer, unions have fired every weapon in their arsenal at Mr. Walker and state senators who voted for his collective-bargaining reforms for government workers. Union members must now contribute a very reasonable 5.8% of salary toward pensions and 12.6% toward health insurance, and unions must collect dues from members, rather than having it done by the government. In their pique, Big Labor waged and lost a bitter fight over the election of a state Supreme Court Justice and spent millions trying to recall Republican state senators.

In mid-December, Wisconsin taxpayers got evidence of the direct benefits of reform in their latest property tax bills—an average annual increase of 0.3%, the smallest since 1996. Potential Democratic challengers to Mr. Walker, including Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, will have to explain why the state should punish Mr. Walker for reforms that are helping taxpayers and local governments save money.

The only loser here are government unions that have less control over state and local politics. With the state no longer automatically withdrawing dues for the unions, labor leaders face the prospect of smaller checkbooks to buy politicians and intimidate reformers."

Sorry,
But Mr Walker has already accomplished much with his approach to tackling the public unions.
From what I understand, the most significant progress was realized in the schools. Savings, improved test scores owing to a less secure job and therefore greater effort by teachers.
Property taxes went up a scant 0.3% in the last year....the lowest increase in years--.

Local governments became more nimble. Thereby saving money and the State government became more long term solvent.

According to the MciVer Institute local governments in Wisconsin save over 160 mio dollars collectively.

Paul, I suggest that you find out if the Union stronghold in our education helps anyone but unions. Im sure that even teachers will tell you that the work rules prevent them from providing after school help--and place barriers in educating our children.
The media (liberal media) coverage of Scott Walker--attempted to portray Walker's objectives as being overly oppressive and unfair to our "hard working" blue collar types. However, the results that have been seen in such a short time, have curiously gone absent from their reporting. They dont want you to know the gains made. Strange-right?
The recall presents an enormous challenge to the unions to somehow convince voters that they were better off with funding an unsustainable path to disaster and how contributing 5.75% to the pension is unfair--given that not many private employers provide even matching funds anymore for retirement.

Joyce- you say, "improved test scores owing to a less secure job and therefore greater effort by teachers" What evidence do you have for this?

Please read my suggestions for improving collective bargaining reform for our Governor and tell me why they do not challenge the current practice in CT. And when you do, please read #1 which talks about the role of seniority (and my view that it should be abolished) when RIF happens.

Fantasic idea Malloy.. Cut aid to children by 28 million and raise contributions to Public Unions by 125 million.. is this really true?

Ray, children don't provide campaign dollars . .

I am suggesting that money is taken from vulnerable people who probably won't react by changing their vote from Democrat, so it's a no-lose move . .

Lets have the Public Unions who have occured the debt kick in a little instead of taking it from kids and people in need..can you imagine if this was proposed by a republican.. Ha !! 60 mins would have a field day...

The promises made to Public Unions are enourmous and unsustainable.. We are out of money and will NOT be able to fullfill the promises made by the politicians of the past

They are passing the point of no return.. it shows you the severity of the situation when a guy like Gov. Cuomo (D)takes on the unions...