Gov. Dannel P. Malloy delivered a message Thursday aimed at dissuading legislators from trying to circumvent a spending cap that Malloy says is a barrier to raising taxes or significantly restoring cuts in his proposed budget for the next biennium.
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Posted inMoney, Politics
Navy will consider accelerating Virginia-class sub enhancement
WASHINGTON – Navy officials said they will consider moving up the date for the start of a new Virginia class sub program that would allow the boats to carry more firepower.
Posted inHealth
Medicaid clients, seniors, health care providers face cuts under governor’s plan
About 34,000 parents would lose Medicaid coverage. Seniors would have to pay more for home care. The state would abandon a plan to better coordinate care for the costliest Medicaid clients and most health care providers that treat Medicaid patients would face a pay cut. It is all part of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s aim to save hundreds of millions of dollars through cuts to health care and social service programs.
Posted inMoney
Event: ‘Budget Unbundled’ program set for Feb. 25 in Hartford
“Budget Unbundled: A Closer Look at Connecticut’s Fiscal Roadmap,” a program discussing Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposed state budget, will take place Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Hartford Marriott Downtown, 200 Columbus Blvd., Hartford.
Posted inMoney, Politics
The Malloy solution: Deep cuts, new tax revenue, deferred promises
The biennial budget Gov. Dannel P. Malloy intends to propose today would erase a two-year, $2.5 billion shortfall with $1.6 billion in spending cuts and $900 million in additional revenue, an attempt to say he is equitably spreading pain while keeping a pledge not to raise taxes. Malloy, a Democrat re-elected last fall, is proposing a three-pronged approach to his second fiscal crisis in four years: deep spending cuts, combined with additional revenue raised by deferring promised tax cuts and boosting tax receipts without changing rates.
Posted inHealth
Medicaid rate holdup costs mental health providers
Mental health and substance abuse treatment providers are losing out on more than $5 million budgeted for them this year because the state hasn’t yet received federal approval to spend the money. That’s led some who oversee the public mental health coverage system to warn of dire consequences, including reduced access to services.
Posted inHealth
6 health care things to watch for in Malloy’s budget proposal
Many people who work in or advocate for health care and social services are bracing for a tough year, even as some make pitches for increased funding. Here are six things to watch for.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Obama budget would boost CT military spending
WASHINGTON – President Obama’s new budget would dramatically increase spending on F-35s and other military programs that are important to Connecticut’s economy. It would also boost funding of public works and establish a series of new programs aimed at easing the financial burden on students and working families
Posted inPolitics
Himes’ provision roils fellow Democrats, threatens budget bill
WASHINGTON – Legislation championed for years by Connecticut U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, threatened to become a “poison pill’ Wednesday in a massive budget bill that would avoid a government shutdown. Himes’ spokesman, however, insisted the congressman didn’t know how the provision was placed in the budget bill.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Auditors: Workers’ comp officials overcharged insurers to rebuild fund
The state improperly charged Connecticut insurance companies and small businesses $450,000 last fiscal year to recoup a legislative raid on the Workers’ Compensation Administration Fund, the state auditors reported Monday.
But in a written response to the Auditors John C. Geragosian and Robert M. Ward, the commission insisted the assessment was necessary to ensure it had sufficient cash on hand to meet its obligations.
Posted inEducation, Money, Politics
GOP budget scraps Malloy’s gimmicks, rebate — and credit for poor
Minority Republican state legislators pitched an alternative budget Thursday that weeded hundreds of millions of dollars out of gimmicks from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s plan and canceled the governor’s controversial rebate.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics
Budget panel fills Malloy’s gap, boosts social services
One week after a $70 million hole was uncovered in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget proposal for 2014-15, the legislature’s Appropriations Committee is set to make revisions increasing spending for social services, while using surplus funds to close the budget gap.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Speaker says CT may need to cap property taxes to fix town budgets
Legislators should brace for a landmark debate next year on how Connecticut finances local services, including capping property taxes and shifting municipal expenses onto the state’s back, House Speaker J. Brendan Sharkey said Friday.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT budget chief: GOP business tax cut ‘worth considering’
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget chief left the door open Thursday for the administration to support a House Republican initiative to provide $60 million in tax relief to small businesses.
Posted inEducation, Money, Politics
Beth Bye brings passion, toughness to budget chairmanship
Sen. Beth Bye: “Those of us who have been through some of the challenges of discrimination, when you go through something this hard, you come out strong. I think it’s a critical part of who I am.”