Conn. Governor Seeks Welfare Cuts, New Aid for Children

By Daniel Gursky

Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. of Connecticut used his State of the State Address last week to offer educators and children a mixture of cuts and more money.

Faced with a projected $1.2-billion budget deficit, the Governor proposed spending reductions that include a $176-million cut in state aid to municipalities.

To help ease the resulting strain on school-district budgets, Mr. Weicker called for loosening the state mandate on binding arbitration for teachers. Local-government officials have complained that binding arbitration has driven up teachers' salaries, which are among the highest in the country. (See Education...