It’s a good news, bad news scenario. In the short term it appears Bridgeport will receive an infusion of cash to plug into its budget year that begins July 1. Future is a question mark. Now Governor Ned Lamont’s budget is in the hands of the state legislature for potential changes.
Bridgeport will receive a one-shot $13 million from a distressed municipalities fund, as well as federal pandemic aid for education.
From Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, CT Mirror:
Gov. Ned Lamont is recommending that the state spend $50 million more on municipal aid in the fiscal year that begins July 1, a 2% increase.
That increase, however, is a one-time infusion paid for by borrowing, as the governor is not recommending it continue into the second year of his two-year budget proposal.
Municipalities also are slated to get an additional $271.6 million in federal pandemic money next year, an increase the governor celebrated–even though he had little choice but to direct the bulk of it toward towns.
Full story here.
Lamont holds no grudge against his former rival.
I said I was an expert on municipal finance, didn’t I?
I hope these numbers become true because
$254M represents 1/3 of Bridgeport’s budget meaning
taxes could be reduced by 20% with plenty of “wiggle room”.
Because it’s a one-time infusion made possible by borrowing, it’s a charade. The “wiggle room” has been replaced by vaporware.
He used to be a critic but now he’s a fan of the “borrowed buck”
If borrowing money made you a movie star, Governor Lamont’s name would be added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
—
The Hollywood Walk of Fame comprises more than 2,690 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Wikipedia