STATE BUDGET TALKS
It looks the chances of Governor Dannel Malloy reaching an agreement with Republican legislative leaders on a new state budget before October 1st are slim to none. The Governor met with GOP lawmakers this morning to see if they could reach a consensus, but very little progress was made. Malloy says if he signed the Republican budget approved recently by the General Assembly, the subsequence changes to state pensions would likely face a court challenge. He says he’s willing to listen to GOP calls for additional state aid to cities and towns, but he’s not willing to compromise on other issues like reforming education funding.
GENO SAYS HE’LL FOREGO SALARY
Hall of Fame basketball coach Geno Auriemma has weighed into Connecticut’s budget battle, offering to go unpaid next year in response to criticism over high salaries at UConn. Auriemma says he worries education cuts will mean his grandchildren won’t be able to go to an affordable state university. Auriemma is slated to make more than $2 million next year. He offered to forgo his pay after reading comments from a lawmaker who justified cuts by saying that a lot of people at UConn make a lot of money.
DOG ATTACK
A 5-year-old Connecticut boy suffered serious injuries when he was attacked by a family dog in Manchester. Police say they were called by a neighbor Thursday night, who witnessed the pit bull drag the child off the front stoop of the family’s home and across the lawn. The woman told police she was able to get the dog to let go of the boy’s head by hitting the animal with a piece of wood. Police say the boy suffered serious injuries which required surgery. No charges had been filed against the pit bull’s owner as of this morning.
SELECTMAN SHOPLIFTING
A government official in an affluent Connecticut town has been charged with shoplifting more than $600 in merchandise from two stores. 46-year-old Greenwich Selectman Drew Marzullo has been charged with larceny. Clinton Sgt. Jeremiah Dunn says police were alerted by security at the Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets on Aug. 26. Dunn says Marzullo stole $486 in merchandise from a Skechers shoe store and $184 in merchandise from clothing store J. Crew. Marzullo has served as a selectman since 2009.
