HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Attorney General Richard Blumenthal on Wednesday asked the governor for an accounting of funds from specialty state license plates, saying at least $500,000 has been illegally diverted to Connecticut's General Fund to help balance the state's troubled budget.
In a letter to Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Blumenthal said the new budget automatically strips money from funds that benefit wildlife conservation and animal population control. He said he wants to know if money was also shifted from specialty license plates that raise money for eight other causes, including childhood cancer prevention and aid to military families.
The General Fund is state government's major funding account.
"Usurping donor intent after the state solicits and receives such contributions is forbidden by constitutional law, fairness and common sense," Blumenthal said.
The specialty plates range in cost from $50 to $135, depending on whether a motorist wants customized numbers or letters. A portion of the fee is earmarked for the particular cause. Motorists also must pay the state's two-year, $75 registration fee.
Rell's budget director, Robert Genuario, said he's looking into the matter, but questioned why Blumenthal sent a letter to Rell and not to state lawmakers. Democrats who control the General Assembly originally proposed taking money from the accounts to help cover the state's projected two-year, $8.56 billion deficit.
"The administration did not sweep these funds. These funds were swept by an act of the legislature," he said, adding that lawmakers might have to return to the state Capitol and pass new legislation that replenishes the funds.
Derek Slap, a spokesman for the Senate Democrats, said lawmakers are reviewing Blumenthal's letter. He said it could ultimately mean they can only use money from the accounts going forward, not the cash that has already accumulated.
"It's certainly part of an effort by Democrats to look at savings and cost-cutting where we can," Slap said.
Rell, a Republican, opposed the two-year, $37.6 billion budget passed by lawmakers, but allowed it to become law without her signature following a monthslong impasse.
Blumenthal raised similar concerns earlier this month about how money had been transferred from the "Preserve the Sound" license plate account. Money from that account has help to finance nearly 300 education and conservation projects affecting Long Island Sound since the fund was created in 1993.
Last week, lawmakers restored funding to the program when they passed a bill that spells out details of the state budget.
In a letter to Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Blumenthal said the new budget automatically strips money from funds that benefit wildlife conservation and animal population control. He said he wants to know if money was also shifted from specialty license plates that raise money for eight other causes, including childhood cancer prevention and aid to military families.
The General Fund is state government's major funding account.
"Usurping donor intent after the state solicits and receives such contributions is forbidden by constitutional law, fairness and common sense," Blumenthal said.
The specialty plates range in cost from $50 to $135, depending on whether a motorist wants customized numbers or letters. A portion of the fee is earmarked for the particular cause. Motorists also must pay the state's two-year, $75 registration fee.
Rell's budget director, Robert Genuario, said he's looking into the matter, but questioned why Blumenthal sent a letter to Rell and not to state lawmakers. Democrats who control the General Assembly originally proposed taking money from the accounts to help cover the state's projected two-year, $8.56 billion deficit.
"The administration did not sweep these funds. These funds were swept by an act of the legislature," he said, adding that lawmakers might have to return to the state Capitol and pass new legislation that replenishes the funds.
Derek Slap, a spokesman for the Senate Democrats, said lawmakers are reviewing Blumenthal's letter. He said it could ultimately mean they can only use money from the accounts going forward, not the cash that has already accumulated.
"It's certainly part of an effort by Democrats to look at savings and cost-cutting where we can," Slap said.
Rell, a Republican, opposed the two-year, $37.6 billion budget passed by lawmakers, but allowed it to become law without her signature following a monthslong impasse.
Blumenthal raised similar concerns earlier this month about how money had been transferred from the "Preserve the Sound" license plate account. Money from that account has help to finance nearly 300 education and conservation projects affecting Long Island Sound since the fund was created in 1993.
Last week, lawmakers restored funding to the program when they passed a bill that spells out details of the state budget.
