Connecticut lawmakers override governor's vetoes

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Connecticut's Democratic-led legislature on Monday said it over-rode seven out of 20 vetoes by Republican Governor Jodi Rell on bills that she says are too costly.

Connecticut is one of a few states still struggling to enact a budget nearly three weeks after the June 30 deadline.

"The Democrats in the Legislature have not passed a biennial budget -- yet they have approved a new, $1 billion spending program without providing a way to pay for it," Rell said in a statement.

"The simple fact is that the families and employers of Connecticut cannot afford the new taxes that will be required by this new program," she said.

Rell said she was particularly concerned about the health-care pooling bill the legislature approved, which would help municipal, nonprofit and small businesses self-insure via the state health plan.

One tax increase the Democrats proposed would raise the personal income tax for married couples whose incomes top $500,000 a year.

(Reporting by Joan Gralla; Editing by Leslie Adler)