By SUSAN HAIGH Associated Press HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ A top budget adviser to Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Friday that Connecticut’s economy is showing signs of improvement despite a projected $99.5 million revenue shortfall this year and projected $1 billion deficits in each of the next three fiscal years. Karen Buffkin, deputy secretary of the state’s Office of Policy and Management, told state lawmakers that employment is increasing, income is rising and retail sales are growing. “That’s a fact. The economy is recovering,” Buffkin said. “Do we still face fiscal challenges? Yes, we do. This has not been a smooth recovery. It has been somewhat of an uneven recovery. But what is occurring now is good news for Connecticut’s economy.” Buffkin, who filled in for an ailing OPM Secretary Ben Barnes, was questioned by legislative Republicans about why Malloy had to make midyear spending cuts and impose limits on state spending and hiring if the state’s economy is really improving. GOP leaders are seeking a special session next month to address this year’s shortfall, which they say could be $100 million more than what Malloy has acknowledged. “You’re saying basically everything is going well and yet we can’t […]
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