State $43 Million Budget Increases Aid For Groton, Ledyard

HARTFORD, CT — State lawmakers have blessed a 2-year, $43 billion budget proposal in the Democrat-controlled House. The 86-65 vote moves the voluminous spending plan to the state Senate for approval. State Rep. Christine Conley (D-Groton/Ledyard) praised the House of Representatives-approved budget. Conley said it’s “balanced, below the constitutional spending cap, invests in small businesses and the workforce, and does not increase the state income tax or state sales tax.”

The plan includes increased state aid for Groton and Ledyard, Conley said.

“It took a great deal of effort to craft a more than $43 Billion budget – and while the 567 page document is far from perfect – it has many good provisions,” said Rep. Conley. “It maintains funding for public schools, job training programs, hospitals and more.”

The budget includes an increase of more than $13,000 in state aid for Groton and nearly $415,000 more for Ledyard, according to a statement from Conley, who said the allocations represent an increase over the Governor’s budget proposal and will help hold the line on local tax increases.

House Republicans are not happy.

In a video she posted to YouTube on behalf of House Republicans, State Rep. Brenda Kupchick said she's "extremely frustrated that the budget plan was crafted without members of the minority, who represent approximately 1.5 million people in the state of Connecticut."

"This budget also rolls-back many of the good policy proposals passed in the bi-partisan budget of 2017, and punishes Connecticut middle class families and the small businesses just trying to survive."

According to Conley, budget highlights include:

· Protections for our most vulnerable citizens, young and old
· An ongoing state income tax exemption on social security benefits and pensions
· Start-up funds for a Paid Family Medical Leave program
· Continued guaranteed coverage mammograms
· More funds for higher education to stabilize tuition and maintain our college and university systems
· Boosts the Rainy Day reserve balance to more than $2 Billion

The Senate is expected to pass the budget and send it to the Governor for his signature, Conley's release said.