The compromise is intended to appeal to both fiscal moderates and the party’s liberal wing.
Poverty
Posted inMoney
Bills to repeal motor vehicle tax and cap property taxes are in political limbo
The motor vehicle tax bill died in committee but could be revived; Property tax cap passed on party lines.
Posted inGovernment
Long lines for free food persist more than a year into the pandemic, causing concern among advocates
While food insecurity remains high, the state is not seeing a corresponding increase in food stamp recipients.
Posted inEconomic Development, Housing
Closely followed Woodbridge zoning case enters new phase
On Monday night, commissioners held their final public hearing on a two-pronged rezoning proposal looking to make it easier for developers to build multi-family affordable housing in Woodbridge.
Posted inMoney
How one small detail in the proposed child tax credit reveals the political balancing act over tax relief
With limited dollars available, state officials struggle to balance proposed tax relief between the middle class and working poor.
Posted inGovernment
Poor people are still suffering from economic downturn brought by COVID
Communities that were already struggling with poverty before the pandemic were hit particularly hard when the jobs vanished.
Posted inMoney
House Democrats temper child tax credit to make relief program sustainable
House Democrats tempered their income tax relief plan for households with children to ensure the program continues year after year.
Posted inMoney
CT’s minimum wage hike has many poor families heading toward a ‘benefits cliff’
Report warns minimum-wage earners could lose half of their pay hikes by mid-2023 due to potential loss of state benefits.
Posted inPolitics
Plan to expand child tax credit offers hope along with direct payments
When her car started making a noise more than a year ago, Chinara Johnson parked the vehicle and hasn’t used it since. As a New Haven mother of 5-year-old twin boys, one of whom is on the autism spectrum, and an 8-year-old daughter, Johnson doesn’t have the money to get the car running properly again. […]
Posted inMoney
Boston Fed chief predicts strong economic recovery begins in 2nd half of 2021 if vaccine reaches enough people
A strong economic rebound also depends on states helping those hit hardest by COVID-19, a federal reserve official said.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money
CT budget debate heats up quickly over equity
Urban lawmakers on the Appropriations Committee charged Gov. Ned Lamont’s budget largely ignores inequities in education and health care.
Posted inMoney
Lamont leans heavily on federal aid to keep taxes flat in CT
Gov. Ned Lamont relies on federal funding and state reserves to balance his new budget without significant tax hikes.
Posted inMoney
Lamont uses federal dollars and reserves to boost local aid, avert tax hikes in his new budget
While Lamont’s plan provides short-term stability, it also could leave Connecticut with challenges after the 2022 elections.
Posted inMoney
Big variables cloud upcoming CT budget debate
Another potential wave of federal stimulus, a complex spending cap and other variables cloud the next Connecticut budget debate.
Posted inMoney
Lawmakers expect lean budget from Lamont. But how lean will it be?
Is Lamont dressing Connecticut in a budget that is adequate during a pandemic but fits like a strait-jacket afterward?