Here's How Much Less Madison Will Receive From The State

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

MADISON, CT — It isn’t usual when towns are getting less money than they’ve gotten the previous year for leaders to be thankful. But considering what could have been, the budget passed by the House and Senate is much better news for Branford, Madison and Guilford residents than was thought a few days, weeks, or months ago.

The $41.34 billion, two-year budget passed by a 126-23 vote in the House and a 33-3 vote in the Senate this week means the following:

• Madison will be receiving $76,000 less in state funding this current fiscal year than it did in the 2017 fiscal year. For the next fiscal year, 2019, Madison will be receiving $186,000 less in state funding than it does this year.
• Guilford will be receiving $182,000 less in state funding this current fiscal year than it did in the 2017 fiscal year. For the next fiscal year, 2019, Guilford will be receiving $407,000 less in state funding than it does this year.
• Branford will be receiving $181,000 less in state funding this current fiscal year than it did in the 2017 fiscal year. For the next fiscal year, 2019, Branford will be receiving $231,00 less in state funding than it does this year.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget planned to take much more away from the three towns – in some cases in the millions of dollars – in an effort to divert education funding to the poorer, bigger cities in the state.

The good news for Branford, Guilford and Madison is the House and Senate votes passed by a substantial margin – meaning they are veto proof, as Malloy has said he will likely veto the budget if it doesn’t meet his goals.