In addition to investing in child care, Gov. Ned Lamont’s $55.2 billion, two-year budget proposal will include a $50 income tax cut.
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
CT Senate GOP: Cut income tax, freeze state employee wages
In addition to a state employee wage freeze and income tax cut, CT Republicans want to cap municipal property tax increases at 2%.
Posted inEducation
Lamont to propose $54M increase in special education funding
The budget proposal will include a $40 million increase in special education funding and a $14 million grant to develop in-district programs.
Posted inMoney
Lamont’s commitment to CT’s fiscal ‘guardrails’ is being tested
Vanishing ARPA funds will test Gov. Ned Lamont’s commitment to budget ‘guardrails’ as lawmakers seek more funds for Medicaid and education.
Posted inHealth
With federal funding in limbo, CT Dems propose Medicaid expansion
CT Dems unveiled a $250M plan to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates, saying ‘we can’t stop doing our jobs’ amid federal funding uncertainty.
Posted inHuman Services
Nonprofits call federal funding freeze ‘beyond comprehension’
CT agencies that provide homelessness services, rental assistance, SNAP benefits and more reacted with alarm and confusion to the directive.
Posted inMoney
CT’s free-spending past leaves some wary of easing budget caps
The last time Connecticut’s revenues boomed, the state spent far more than it saved. Some conservatives fear Democrats will repeat the past.
Posted inMoney
Is Lamont the key to reforming CT’s ‘fiscal guardrails’?
Reformers hope to mimic legal maneuvers that Gov. Ned Lamont employed five years ago to free up money for social services and other programs.
Posted inEducation
Poll: Voters say CT must spend more on K-12 education
CT voters are satisfied with the quality of public schools but most believe the state should cover more of the cost, according to a new poll.
Posted inMoney
What will Trump mean for CT’s fiscal future? Lawmakers are wary
Washington gives CT billions of dollars annually, and lawmakers are watching how Trump could affect Medicaid, transit projects and education.
Posted inMoney
Big interest earnings from COVID grants were kept out of CT budget since 2021
The Treasurer’s Office did not properly move the interest earnings to CT’s General Fund until a few weeks ago, Lamont’s budget director said.
Posted inMoney
Treasurer: CT saves big by not stashing transportation funds
CT Treasurer Erick Russell said he will ask legislators to cap the Special Transportation Fund’s emergency reserve at 18% of the STF.
Posted inMoney
Critics, backers of CT’s budget ‘guardrails’ want transparent debate
Both supporters of CT’s ‘fiscal guardrails’ and reform advocates agree on one thing: They want the debate to play out in the light of day.
Posted inMoney
BEST OF 2024: 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.
Posted inMoney
BEST OF 2024: A question of volatility: Are Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails in the right place?
The first in a three-part series about Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails and their impact not only on state reserves and debt, but also core programs like education and health care.