Largely along party lines the State Senate Tuesday night approved a two-year spending plan that also passed the House. The regular session of the General Assembly ends on Wednesday, but most legislative insiders anticipate a special session to address unresolved issues such as electronic tolls and perhaps sports betting if the work is not completed before the midnight deadline. What’s in the budget?
Christopher Keating of the Hartford Courant reports: “The budget does not increase the rates of the income or sales taxes and includes no reductions in state aid to cities and towns. The budget would also expand the state’s 6.35 percent sales tax to include parking, dry cleaning, laundry and interior design services, but coin-operated laundries would be exempt.”
CT Mirror budget guru Keith Phaneuf has other details here.
From Governor Ned Lamont:
Governor Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz are applauding both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly for voting to approve a biennial budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year that their administration developed with legislative leaders, which closes the inherited $3.7 billion deficit ahead of schedule.
The budget:
· Begins to stabilize the state’s fixed costs;
· Does not increase income or sales tax rates on anyone;
· Invests more money into education and workforce development; and
· Does not cut municipal aid to towns and cities.“This budget is fair, balanced, promotes economic growth and support for working families, and was delivered on time, enabling our towns and cities to know what they can expect in their budgets over the coming biennium and plan accordingly,” Governor Lamont said. “Most of all, it further stabilizes our states finances, sending a signal to residents and businesses alike that we are serious about getting our economy growing again. Let’s be clear: There is still more work to do. But I am proud of this budget and the steps it takes to get Connecticut back on track.”
“Connecticut’s economic future depends on smart investments in education, workforce development, transportation and infrastructure,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “This budget does just that, while also making good on our promise to support Connecticut’s working families by providing funding to enact a paid family and medical leave program and raising the minimum wage.”
The budget bill is House Bill 7424, An Act Concerning the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June Thirtieth, 2021, and Making Appropriations Therefor, and Implementing Provisions of the Budget.
It will next be transmitted to the governor for his signature.
