HARTFORD, Conn. -- A veto by the governor is expected to cut off health coverage for 350 children whose parents work as janitors at state buildings.

During the Legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill requiring the state to pay for health care for children whose families work as janitors at state buildings.

Rell said the bill is a significant cost to the state and sets a bad precedent.

"At a time when our country is looking to expand health care, the governor is looking to cut health care in Connecticut – that's wrong," said House Speaker Chris Donovan.
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Hundreds of children could lose their health care because their parents work for a private contractor hired by the state.

Health benefits for more than 300 children have been part of a union-negotiated contract. With health insurance costs skyrocketing, the contractor, Capitol Cleaners, said it couldn't afford to pay for insurance so lawmakers passed a bill paying the additional cost.

The governor vetoed the bill because she said it let private companies dictate how much taxpayers should pay.

"It takes private union contracts and makes that the standard wage for negotiated contracts with anyone," Rell said. "We don't do that with any other contract."

The children could go on Husky, a public health program, but some claim that would be more expensive.

Kathy Pikor said she is concerned because she is a single mother who makes $12 per hour.

"It's asking too much cause everybody is losing jobs. Insurance is really important for the kids and us," she said.

Democratic lawmakers said they feel strongly about the issue and are hoping to get enough votes to override the governor's veto.