Faced with another huge deficit, Lamont and Democratic lawmakers are weighing whether to shift billions of dollars in pension debt onto the next generation of taxpayers.
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 Troopers, five more state employee unions, in line for raises
State police raises and a paid lunch break top a list of six new labor deals that would cost $58 million collectively by 2022 — and could throw a wrench into budget negotiations.
Posted inHealth
PTSD compromise deal offers one year of benefits for police, firefighters
Lawmakers want to provide police and firefighters suffering from post traumatic stress disorder with up to one year of workers’ compensation coverage.
Posted inHealth
Six-year battle over PTSD benefits for emergency personnel appears over
Lawmakers, labor advocates and municipal leaders will announce a long-awaited compromise Monday on PTSD benefits for police and firefighters.
Posted inMoney
Lamont ratchets up pressure for vote on tolls
The governor also said he would support the transfer of $100 million per year from other programs to transportation. t
Posted inMoney
Lamont willing to compromise on transportation — if tolls are involved
With less than a month left in the legislative session, Gov. Ned Lamont made an appeal for compromise on tolls.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
House gives final approval to pilot hemp program
Lawmakers gave unanimous approval late Wednesday to a bill authorizing a pilot program for the production and sale of hemp, which the governor pledged to sign into law.
Posted inMoney
House Democrats schedule vote on $15 minimum wage
House Democratic leaders said Tuesday they intend to call a vote Wednesday on a bill gradually raising the $10.10 minimum wage to $15 over four years.
Posted inMoney
Lawmakers running out of time to find new transportation funding plan
The legislature’s latest budget proposals — which don’t feature tolls — would leave the Special Transportation Fund nearly $11.5 million in deficit by 2021.
Posted inMoney
Despite committee inaction, tolls and pension cost-sharing proposals remain alive
Two key issues – tolls and teacher pension costs – weren’t voted out of the finance committee this week. But that doesn’t mean either issue is dead.
Posted inMoney
Lawmakers make push to wrest control of CT’s credit card from governor
A key legislative panel overwhelmingly sent a bipartisan message late Wednesday to Gov. Ned Lamont: They want greater control over the state’s credit card.
Posted inMoney
Democrats push back on Lamont, renew bid to tax CT’s wealthiest households
One day after gutting a 2 percent surcharge on capital gains earnings by wealthy households, the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee was expected to revive the bill.
Posted inMoney
Growing CT revenues: Too much of a good thing?
Burgeoning state revenues are making it harder for Gov. Ned Lamont to convince his fellow Democrats in the legislature to raise taxes, defer pension debt payments and adopt a lean budget.
Posted inMoney
For now, legislators defer to Lamont on capital gains
On spending and taxes, Democratic legislators deferred Tuesday to the more moderate fiscal positions of Gov. Ned Lamont, less a surrender than a postponement of a debate still to come.
Posted inMoney
Legislators’ budget hews to Lamont’s bottom line, but big issues remain unsettled
The $43.3 billion spending plan strays very little from Gov. Ned Lamont’s budget, but it leaves the door open for debate on a host of issues.