House Republicans pitched a budget that boosts education, ends health care for undocumented women and children and trims the state workforce.
Keith M. Phaneuf
Keith has spent most of his 31 years 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.
Legislature OKs 2.5% raise plus step hike for most CT employees
Analysts say the raises will cost CT about $190 million next fiscal year. Raises go into effect July 1 and a step hike on Jan. 1.
Lamont won’t say if he’ll ease ‘debt diet’ to make CT budget fix work
CT legislative leaders plan to borrow to cover operating expenses in the next budget — creating a significant hole to be tackled next year.
CT officials insist tax cuts will remain as pandemic relief expires
Despite a projected $16B income tax revenue loss across CT and 25 other states, Lamont and the legislature agree CT tax cuts aren’t at risk.
Budget panel OKs 2.5% raise for most CT state workers
The raises, which the full legislature is expected to vote upon before the regular session ends May 8, would cost more than $190 million.
Lamont won’t help lawmakers leave gaps in next CT budget
If Democratic legislators want more funds in core programs, they must close holes in the CT budget as well, the Lamont administration said.
Panel backs new CT budget with built-in shortfalls, few details
The CT Appropriations Committee would bolster higher education and social services but ignore pension and revenue problems in its budget plan.
Finance panel OKs bills to attack poverty, boost child care in CT
The CT legislature’s finance committee adopted measures to fight poverty and backed a 5-year $674 million capital building program for UConn.
With tax changes off the table, CT finance panel focuses on studies
The legislature’s tax writing committee now hopes to launch analyses of existing tax breaks and options to bolster CT’s competitiveness.
Leaders now say they can fix CT budget without adding big dollars
Budget transfers could still help CT’s core programs, but Gov. Lamont would have to bend ‘fiscal guardrails’ to make the Democrats’ plan work.
CT budget panel mulling whether to challenge Lamont’s guardrails
The Appropriations Committee will have to choose this week whether to take on Lamont or deny funding boost for higher ed and social services.
Lawmakers hope CT’s big reserves can solve budget dilemma
Legislators say the interest from the rainy day fund could solve many problems, but Gov. Ned Lamont says it would violate basic principles.
CT lawmakers seeking new options to work around budget cap
CT lawmakers have spent millions in recent years outside the ‘fiscal guardrails,’ but these temporary wells are quickly running dry.
CT employee raises could hinder aid for higher education
CT higher ed officials say raises for state employees could complicate their already uphill climb to close deficits and preserve programs.
CT state agencies ordered to tally unspent ARPA funds
The directive from Gov. Lamont’s budget director was issued hours after The Connecticut Mirror published a story about legislators’ concerns.