Governor Jodi Rell (R-CT) is asking lawmakers in Hartford to pick up the pace.

Rell says the state Legislature has passed only eight bills in the current legislative session, which has only 16 days remaining. She says they have 400 bills remaining, including the budget, and must push negotiations into high gear.

Rell is urging Democrats and Republicans to work together to finish the budget by the May 3 deadline. Even more pressing, Rell says, is passing bills that would create jobs, improve transportation and cut energy prices.