A bill already approved by the State Senate that grants more workers comp benefits to first responders drew more criticism Wednesday from cities and towns.  They claim the legislation will greatly increase the cost for municipalities because it extends protections to police and firefighters for various cancer and mental stress, without providing a direct connection to the job.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton says the state can't pay for this because if Connecticut could, it would have been in the budget.  He says lawmakers should not pass this type of bill if the state can't take on the cost.  Boughton says many municipalities are at a breaking point. 

City and town leaders urged lawmakers to drop the legislation and adopt a full study of the issue with input from all interested parties for action next year. 

The legislative session ends in less than a week.