CT’s largest state employee union urged Gov. Ned Lamont to focus on overdue wage agreements for public-sector workers, not basketball.
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
Should CT use pension funds to keep Connecticut Sun in state? GOP asks
CT Republicans called for a board to oversee CT pension funds, given Gov. Ned Lamont’s interest in keeping the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun in CT.
Posted inEducation
Southeastern CT lawmakers urge UConn to invest in Avery Point
Investments in housing and academics at UConn’s Avery Point campus are needed to supply workers for the region’s industries, lawmakers said.
Posted inMoney
CT slashes more debt – but not from pensions
Connecticut wiped out nearly a third of the unfunded obligations in its health care program for retired state workers.
Posted inMoney
CT credit rating boosts give Lamont vindication on Wall Street
The upgrades by Moody’s and Fitch are likely campaign fodder for Gov. Ned Lamont, who is widely expected to announce a bid for a third term.
Posted inEspañol
¿Cómo se financian las escuelas de CT? Qué saber sobre la fórmula ECS
ECS es la fórmula que representa la principal asistencia operativa de CT para los distritos escolares locales. Esto es lo que debe saber.
Posted inMoney
Report: More CT families slipping toward poverty
About 40% of Connecticut households couldn’t afford basic needs in 2023, United Way found, and poverty is growing fastest outside urban areas.
Posted inEducation
How are CT schools funded? What to know about the ECS formula
Critics say the Education Cost Sharing grant, which represents CT’s chief operating assistance for schools, has lagged inflation for years.
Posted inMoney
Report: CT has slashed deeply into hefty pension debt
In what was called ‘an astonishing turnaround,’ a Pew report found CT slashed its debt dramatically by pouring surplus dollars into pensions.
Posted inMoney
CT tax revenue surges — for 3rd time since state budget was set
Lawmakers, who watered down spending this spring thinking funds were unavailable, have learned CT has nearly $1.3B to spare.
Posted inMoney
CT’s coffers are swelling, but towns are feeling the pinch
Once inflation is taken into account, Connecticut municipalities are down almost $370 million, or 10%, in state funding since 2016.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Heating aid in CT expected to increase this winter
For the first time in four years, CT officials are anticipating an increase in energy assistance for low-income families this winter.
Posted inMoney
Sales tax holidays under fire as CT launches its promotion
CT’s sales tax holiday, from Sunday through Aug. 23, exempts clothing under $100 from the 6.35% sales tax. Some say it doesn’t do much good.
Posted inMoney
Federal cutbacks could cost CT food stamp program $180M
The memorandum issued Friday did not project added costs tied to Medicaid that will pump nearly $7 billion in federal funds into CT this year.
