Conn. lawmakers to be briefed on budget

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — State lawmakers are being updated on the state of Connecticut's budget and lagging revenues.

Benjamin Barnes, the governor's budget director, is scheduled to brief members of the Appropriations Committee Wednesday. His appearance comes days after his office and the General Assembly's budget office announced that state revenues continue to fall short of original projections.

Barnes announced Friday that state revenues had dropped by $52.7 million since April.

But Republican legislative leaders quickly pointed out how that means revenues in total have fallen at least $128 million behind what was originally budgeted. Some estimates are higher than $200 million, which would require Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to present the legislature with a deficit-cutting plan.

Barnes is also expected on Wednesday to discuss budget shortages facing certain state agencies.