After the Lamont administration painted an overly rosy image of state funding, stakeholders want Lamont to have a reality check of his own.
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.
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CT universities could face 650 layoffs, big tuition hikes
The budget the Appropriations Committee endorsed for 2023-24 falls $109 million short of the cost needed to maintain current services.
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CT legislative leaders and Lamont are gridlocked on spending cap
A day after CT legislative leaders said budget proposals were underfunding core services, Gov. Ned Lamont insisted they make tough choices.
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CT income tax rate cut OK’d by finance committee
The CT legislature’s Finance Committee OK’d the first income tax rate cuts since the mid-1990s, setting the stage for more negotiations.
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CT may need to work around budget cap, top lawmakers hint
One day after legislators unveiled a budget limited by the spending cap, leaders insisted officials must do more for core services.
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‘Fiscal guardrails’ steer legislators to lean budget despite surplus
The CT Appropriations Committee pitched a $51 billion budget that offers lean growth for education, social services and health care.
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Spending cap expected to force CT panel to endorse lean budget
Despite record-setting reserves in CT, the Appropriations Committee is expected to recommend lean spending for the next two fiscal years.
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CT income tax exemption for retirement earnings could expand
The state tax committee has crafted a compromise that would exempt more middle-income retirees from paying taxes on pensions and annuities.
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CT income tax cut now might not include some benefits for wealthy
The bill would reduce the lowest tax rates as Lamont proposed, but it would gradually phase out much of the proposed relief for the rich.
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Baby Bonds gridlock threatens Democratic unity on next CT budget
State treasurer Erick Russell hopes to rescue from political limbo a program advocates call crucial to stemming CT’s economic inequality.
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Pandemic bonuses for CT private sector need one final cash boost
Connecticut panel to consider $4 million transfer on Thursday to fund outstanding payments for workers in Premium Pay Program.
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Lamont budget chief: Proposed cut makes tax system fairer
Jeffrey Beckham said the tax-cutting plan would primarily benefit the middle class, but progressives say CT can do more for poorer families.
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CT hasn’t spent millions budgeted for health care, human services
CT legislators and labor are asking if the administration is making progress fixing a staffing crisis and responding to health care needs.
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CT budget panel approves essential worker relief for state employees
CT legislators endorsed nearly $50 million in pandemic bonuses for state workers, but Republicans want more hero pay for the private sector.
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Legislators wary of extending CT income tax cut to the richest
The Lamont administration’s plan to cut CT income taxes is still alive, but both Republican and Democratic lawmakers fear going too far.