The surging costs of the CT Municipal Employees Retirement System are pressuring towns, and the comptroller wants to preserve the program.
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.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
State money for heating assistance unspent; deadline extended
Gov. Lamont extended the deadline for LIHEAP assistance, but state funds for relief remain unspent. Critics say the state was too frugal.
Posted inMoney
CT essential state workers awarded $45M in pandemic relief
A labor arbitrator has awarded bonuses of about $1,200 to CT public sector workers, with payments ranging based on a job’s risk level.
Posted inHealth
Report shows pandemic, inflation left CT hospital finances reeling
A new report from the CT Hospital Association shows the pandemic and inflation left CT hospital operating margins well below pre-COVID levels.
Posted inMoney
CT legislators raising questions about heating assistance program
Legislators want to know how many families can’t get any more funding from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.
Posted inMoney
CT still borrowing to pay off debt, but some are pushing back
Gov. Ned Lamont’s budget calls for $80M in new borrowing in the next two years to pay off existing debt, but some say the practice should end.
Posted inMoney
Lamont, legislators heading for a battle over CT spending cap
Legislators and others say CT has too many pressing education, health care and social service needs to focus solely on the spending cap.
Posted inMoney
CT progressive coalition poll: Voters favor higher taxes on the rich
More than 70% of CT voters support higher state income taxes on households earning more than $1 million annually, according to a new poll.
Posted inMoney
After compromise, legislators extend CT’s ‘fiscal guardrails’
Compromises negotiated by Gov. Ned Lamont and legislative leaders produced the unanimous passage Thursday a bill extending reforms that have contributed to Connecticut’s fiscal turnaround.
Posted inEspañol
¿Recorte de impuestos sobre la renta en Connecticut?
El plan Lamont podría ahorrar $440 millones a la clase media. El alivio llegaría en enero si lo aprueba la legislatura.
Posted inMoney
Lamont budget ignites debate on wealth inequality in CT
While Gov. Ned Lamont insists his budget proposal would reduce inequality in CT, legislators and interest groups asked if it will do enough.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT budget: Lamont pitches big tax cuts in first budget of new term
Gov. Ned Lamont proposed a $50.5 billion budget with more than $500 million in tax relief, topped by Connecticut’s first major income tax cut.
Posted inHealth, Money
Big new investments top Lamont’s human services budget
Child care rate hikes and erasure of medical debt are in Gov. Lamont’s budget proposal, but it does not increase key funding for nonprofits.
Posted inMoney
Lamont to colleges: Adjust to life without federal pandemic aid
The administration says federal coronavirus aid to colleges was temporary, but many officials say it’s not that simple.
Posted inMoney
Lamont to propose $50.5B budget, more than $500M in tax relief
The 2-year budget would deliver the largest income tax cut in history and expand relief for working poor families and small businesses.