Democrats were in Hartford Thursday to present their version of the state budget.

Democrats say the highlight of this budget is the plan to move $246 million from the state surplus to the teachers' pension fund. They say that amount will fully fund pensions for the next two years. The spending plan also includes $108 million additional aid to municipalities, $45 million to offset high energy costs for schools, hospitals and private providers and $39 million deposited in the budget reserve or rainy day fund.

Governor Jodi Rell (R-CT) had proposed depositing $335 million of the surplus in the rainy day fund. Rell?s proposal of eliminating the car tax was not on the Democrats proposed budget. However, Rep. Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield) says every proposal for tax relief is still on the table and will be addressed by the revenue committee.

Rell's budget director says he doesn't see how tax relief of any kind would be possible under the Democrat?s planned budget. Both sides say they are willing to negotiate before the deadline on May 3.