Lawmakers were unable to determine a state budget Wednesday to meet the deadline and will now go into a special session.
The governor's office says it will cost about $10,000 a day to hold the special session, but Democrats and Republicans were unable to reach an agreement on budget details. The special section technically starts after midnight, but lawmakers began some closed-door budget discussions Wednesday evening.
The state faces an $8 billion deficit over the next two fiscal years. Gov. Jodi Rell and state Republicans have pushed for spending cuts and avoiding new taxes, while state Democrats have fought to limit program cuts.
House Minority Leader Larry Cafero (R-Norwalk) says Republicans have drawn up countless plans that Democrats have rejected, while state Sen. Andrew McDonald (D-Stamford) says the special session will allow for more compromise and a better finished product.
A budget agreement must be reached by the end of the fiscal year on June 30.