Rell suggesting $67.3 million in spending cuts

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Gov. M. Jodi Rell is asking Connecticut legislative leaders to consider several cost-cutting compromises to close this year's state budget deficit.

The Republican governor wrote Tuesday to leaders of the Democrat-controlled General Assembly, suggesting $67.3 million in spending adjustments by April 15.

They include transferring money from some specialized accounts into the state's general fund, cutting unspent funds from department budgets and increasing some fees.

Rell says she wants to avoid using the state's Rainy Day Fund or borrowing money to close the deficit for the current budget year, which ends June 30. The red ink is estimated at up to $1 billion.