With a split majority in Connecticut's Senate and another massive budget deficit, the legislature started the 2017 session on Wednesday.
Even before the first gavel, there was a big development in the Senate. Just minutes before the 10:00 am deadline Sen. Rob Kane, a Republican, and Sen. Eric Coleman, a Democrat resigned in order to take new government jobs.
Coleman resigns. pic.twitter.com/HJx0nhhPd2
— Mark Pazniokas (@CTMirrorPaz) January 4, 2017
The Connecticut Mirror reports Kane is up for Republican state auditor and Coleman seeks a judicial appointment.
Instead of an evenly split chamber with 18 Republicans and 18 Democrats, it will temporarily be a 17-17 split.
Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Steve Dargan stepped down on Tuesday in order to accept a nomination to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Watch CT-N's coverage of the House of Representatives:
Watch the Senate's deliberations here:
Gov. Dannel Malloy is scheduled to deliver his State of the State address at noon.