By SUSAN HAIGH Associated Press HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Connecticut lawmakers intend to make changes, possibly substantial ones, to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposed two-year, $40 billion budget plan as a wide range of criticisms mounted Thursday. A day after Malloy unveiled his plan, both Democratic and Republican members of the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee complained about numerous recommended spending cuts and policy changes. The list included $100 million in cuts to UConn, hospital tax changes, a proposal requiring small communities to pick up the full cost of resident state troopers, reductions in home health care services for the elderly and a 25 percent cut to state parks. “I’m very disappointed in many pieces and parts of this budget,” said. Rep. Linda Orange, D-Colchester, voicing concerns about the fate of state programs for people with special needs. “There’s a lot wrong that I think that this legislature is really going to have to look closely into.” Rep. Cathy Abercrombie, D-Meriden, co-chairman of the legislature’s Human Services Committee, appeared stunned by Malloy’s recommended changes to health services for the poor. “From the human services point of view, all I can say is, `wow,”’ she said. Malloy’s budget director, Ben Barnes, explained […]
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