Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Fazio offered a blueprint Wednesday to reduce CT’s over-reliance on the municipal property tax.
Keith M. Phaneuf
Keith has spent most of his four decades as a reporter specializing in state government finances, analyzing such topics as income tax equity, waste in government and the complex funding systems behind Connecticut’s transportation and social services networks. He has been the state finances reporter at CT Mirror since it launched in 2010. Prior to joining CT Mirror Keith was State Capitol bureau chief for The Journal Inquirer of Manchester, a reporter for the Day of New London, and a former contributing writer to The New York Times. Keith is a graduate of and a former journalism instructor at the University of Connecticut.
About 110,000 poor CT adults could lose Medicaid coverage
CT officials are scrambling to avert a swell in uninsured patients forced to seek care through hospital emergency departments.
How CT sets its diesel tax each July and why it matters
CT’s diesel fuel tax will climb by 1 penny per gallon starting July 1, and prices were already up about 40% since the Iran war started.
CT says its tax system is unfair, but changes would mean tradeoffs
While the call for tax reform gains momentum, major proposals cannot get past a governor who is focused paying down CT’s huge pension debt.
Can CT make big debt payments while boosting towns, services?
If CT can’t find the right balance between paying down debt and supporting towns and public services, deficits are coming, analysts say.
Lamont orders $300 grocery gift cards for residents losing SNAP
CT will provide the benefit to an estimated 25,000 residents who’ve lost federal nutrition assistance. Cards will be distributed by August.
All eyes on Lamont as CT’s hunger crisis worsens
Advocates are increasingly impatient with Gov. Ned Lamont’s response to a worsening hunger crisis in the wake of cuts to SNAP.
Higher gas prices could strain CT’s transportation rebuild plans
Certain gasoline and sales tax receipts could “soften” this summer if prices remain elevated or turn worse in the coming months.
Surging gas prices shine spotlight on CT’s fuel taxes
A tax cap has been mitigating pain at the pumps since March, but recent price hikes have some ready to revisit Connecticut’s fuel tax system.
New CT budget sets Lamont’s legacy as he seeks 3rd term
As he runs for a third term, a piece of Gov. Ned Lamont’s legacy already is established: He’s reduced CT’s debt at unmatched speed and scale.
Lawmakers solve town aid riddle on third try
The General Assembly OK’d a bill clarifying that towns could reopen their budgets to use increased state aid to reduce local property taxes.
Advocates press Lamont to aid thousands losing food benefits
Anti-hunger advocates are focused on Gov. Ned Lamont in their push to intensify aid for residents who have lost federal nutrition benefits.
CT legislature adopts $28B budget with big aid for towns, childcare
The CT legislature adopted a $28.1 billion budget Saturday that orders big new investments in municipal aid and affordable childcare.
CT is much stronger fiscally as it tip-toes over spending cap
To bolster local schools, Gov. Ned Lamont and the General Assembly will exceed CT’s spending cap in a fashion not seen in nearly two decades.
Last-minute revenue surge makes path to new CT budget easier
Analysts estimate that surging income tax receipts and other revenue would add about $580 million to CT’s coffers this fiscal year and next.



