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The budget passed with major bipartisan support, 127 to 21, in the House on Saturday.
Major, positive changes in the second year of the adjusted budget include:
- Millions in increased aid for local boards of education in the form of an additional ECS grant. The increase will also be built into the ECS grant in FY 28, which begins on July 1, 2027.
- Continued our commitment to responsible budgeting by putting $1 billion toward paying down long-term debt. The continued focus on debt service is literally paying dividends, as it freed up $800 million that Connecticut would have otherwise have paid in interest-servicing debt.
- Additional funding to ensure all school districts receive a minimum of a 4% increase in their ECS grant this year, regardless of student enrollment.
- Provides for universal, free school breakfast. While it doesn't go far enough -- we should also include free, universal lunches -- it's a very positive step in the right direction.
- Establishes the first-in-the-nation, state-level graduate student loan program to replace the Grad PLUS loan program cancelled by the federal government.
- A $75 million increase to HUSKY Health, which provides comprehensive, no-cost or low-cost medical coverage to eligible low-income residents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
- Provides a $300 million transfer of ‘volatile’ state revenue to the Early Childhood Endowment, which helps families access child care, supports higher wages for educators, and improves child care facilities.
- Maintains support for the Micro-transit Pilot Program, providing alternatives for those without immediate access to public transportation lines. Provides millions in additional support to various transportation districts, including the Greater Bridgeport Transit District, Shoreline East, and the Rides for Jobs program in Eastern Connecticut. Reduces bus fare costs for Veterans and Students.
- Helps small businesses offer health care support by providing a tax credit when they contribute toward employees’ individual health insurance coverage.
- Supports small businesses and biotech companies through a new research and development tax credit to help them grow and create jobs in our state.
The budget now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.
(And because we were in session on Kentucky Derby Day, I couldn't resist getting a photo of my hat-wearing colleagues to mark the occasion.)
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