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.
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.
Posted inMoney
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.
Posted inHuman Services
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.
Posted inMoney
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.
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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.
Posted inMoney
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.
Posted inMoney
Can CT be more affordable without major tax cuts?
Democratic leaders say town aid and child care investments will pay big dividends, even without tax rebates or a child tax credit.
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CT legislature OKs raises for unionized state employees
The legislature approved contracts Wednesday that would grant 2.5% annual cost-of-living raises for most CT state employees through 2028.
Posted inMoney
Lamont moves quickly to tout new CT budget deal
Lamont said $270 million in municipal aid included in the deal would be available to towns even if they’ve already adopted a local budget.
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Legislators, Lamont on cusp of tentative CT budget deal
The compromise plan to aid schools and hospitals in the next CT budget was to be shared with rank-and-file lawmakers Monday night.
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With Lamont, Democrats at odds, GOP can shape next CT budget
With Democrats at odds over how to balance CT’s budget, the door is open for minority Republicans to shape the state’s fiscal future.
Posted inMoney
How do CT municipalities adopt, pay for their budgets?
While CT funds its budget off a mix of taxes, including income, sales, business and more – towns get most of their money from property taxes.
Posted inMoney
CT officials struggle to pay for school aid even without tax rebate
CT leaders are focused on investments in schools, child care and hospitals, even if it means scrapping a proposed $200-per-person tax rebate.
Posted inMoney
Senate GOP won’t show how it would balance next CT budget
Senate Republicans, the caucus that has proposed far more tax relief than any other, has decided to play their cards close to the vest.
Posted inMoney
Report: Most states ignore ‘tax gap’ that CT is trying to close
Officials weren’t thrilled last year to learn CT has a nearly $3 billion difference between taxes owed to the state and actual collections.