* CT RESIDENTS ONLY *

Here in Connecticut, hard economic times mean that the state budget is sure to tighten in 2011. And when decisions have to be made about where to reduce spending, Connecticut's governor will have the most power to determine where to cut.

Both candidates for CT governor must declare that, if elected, they will not balance the state budget at the expense of the most vulnerable people in our communities - people who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness. Tell both Tom Foley and Dan Malloy to step up to the plate and commit to maintain current levels of funding for services and housing for homeless men, women, and families in our state. In a time when economic hardship is putting more and more families at risk of homelessness, this is one budget item we can't afford to cut.