Christine Conley

State Rep. Christine Conley (D-Groton, Ledyard) listened intently today to Gov. Ned Lamont’s first budget address.

“The governor’s plan includes a variety of options for placing Connecticut on firm fiscal footing and to reduce and avoid the budget deficits the state has been dealing with,” said Rep. Conley. “I will not commit to any recommendation without a vigorous evaluation of the impact on my constituents. While I am open to a reasonable discussion – with my colleagues and the public – my position going forward is to ensure Groton and Ledyard are fairly funded and not forced to burden residents with additional property taxes and fees that harm hard working families. In the months ahead, I will work for a fair and equitable budget package that’s good for the region and for all of Connecticut.”

The governor’s proposal is the starting point of the two-year state budget cycle. In his address, Gov. Lamont said his plan includes real structural reforms that will allocate dollars efficiently while achieving cost savings. He proposed modernization of the state sales tax by applying it to digital products and goods and services that have been historically exempt. In addition, Gov. Lamont seeks to shore up the Teachers’ Retirement System by having teachers contribute more and boosting contributions by municipalities and school districts. He seeks adjustments to the State Employees’ Retirement System and holding down the costs for providing healthcare coverage for state employees, retirees and their dependents.

In the coming days and weeks his plan will be reviewed and discussed by legislators and by the members of the public. Two legislative committees, Appropriations and Finance, Revenue & Bonding, will schedule public hearings where citizens will have the opportunity to offer their opinions. Appropriations has cognizance over the budgets of state agencies, matters relating to state employees’ salaries, benefits and retirement, as well as teachers’ retirement, veterans’ pensions and collective bargaining agreements. Finance has jurisdiction over finance, revenue, capital bonding, fees and taxation.

Concerned citizens can keep abreast of the budget process by logging on to the Connecticut General Assembly website for the public hearing schedule and to offer written or oral testimony before legislative committees.