One of the most controversial bills being considered this session has cleared the Senate and awaits action by the House.  It would expand workers compensation benefits to police and firefighters concerning cancer and post traumatic stress disorder. 

But cities and towns call it an unfunded mandate.  Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said this week that it's a benefit that's already available if the police officer or firefighter can draw a nexus to the PTSD or cancer and the job.  He says it's the 11th hour, there haven't been public hearings and push back against something cities and towns can't afford.

Boughton called commissions to get rid of mandates a waste of time saying it's never going to happen.  He was specifically referring to the MORE Commission, Municipal Opportunities and Regional Efficiencies.  He said that the MORE Commission means less, the more lawmakers talk the less cities and towns get. 

Standing with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities this week, Boughton made a plea directly to lawmakers.  He doesn't want costs passed down to the local level that they can't afford at a time that's critical to municipal finances.

Various unions representing police and firefighters held a press conference Friday urging state House leaders take up and approve the measure.