On a largely party-line vote, the Appropriations Committee today approved a two-year General Fund budget totaling almost $42 billion for FY 2022-23, making generous use of federal assistance, unspent Medicaid funding and state surplus money to bolster human services, education and municipal grant programs. The proposed budget represents a 4.8 percent increase over fiscal year …
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It is with great pleasure that we announce that former State Representative Joseph Aresimowicz will join the government relations firm of Gaffney Bennett and Associates (GBA) effective January 15th, Gaffney, Bennett Managing Partner Jay F. Malcynsky announced in a statement released Thursday. Having not run for re-election last fall, Mr. Aresimowicz recently finished his service …
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Notice to ReadersEvery year, the Office of Legislative Research (OLR) identifies and provides brief descriptions of important issues the General Assembly may face in the upcoming session. This report does not represent staff suggestions or recommendations. The office identifies issues based on interim studies; research requests; non-confidential discussions with legislators, other legislative participants, and executive …
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Connecticut General Assembly Leadership Announcements House Democrats Speaker of the House – Representative Matt Ritter House Majority Leader – Representative Jason Rojas House Republicans Republican House Minority Leader – Representative Vincent Candelora Republican Deputy House Minority Leader – Representative Tom O’Dea Senate Democrats Senate President Pro Tempore – Senator Martin Looney Senate Majority Leader – …
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Operation Warp Speed will soon bear fruit. Nine months into the pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the use and distribution of two COVID-19 vaccinations manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna the second and third weeks of December, respectively; initial distribution of the Pfizer vaccine could begin as early as December 15th. …
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For the first time in weeks, Connecticut’s rate of Covid-19 infections has inched up slightly to 1.2% from about .08%, while outbreaks at universities are still below 1%, according to Governor Lamont. While the flare ups have been relatively minor, Lamont said he is enhancing enforcement for those who violate rules requiring masks and limiting …
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State Budget Deficit Estimate Exceeds $2 Billion, Triggering Deficit Mitigation Plan In his first monthly economic update detailing fiscal year 2021, state Comptroller Kevin Lembo today projected a deficit of $2.1 billion for FY 21 and pegged the state’s Budget Reserve Fund (BRF) at $3.035 billion. The state fiscal year runs from July 1 to …
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Office of Policy and Management (OPM) secretary Melissa McCaw today released a deficit mitigation plan that lays out $200 million in budget adjustments and calls for using $1.8 billion from the budget reserve fund (BRF) to bridge a projected fiscal year 2021 deficit of $2 billion. State statute requires OPM to issue a deficit mitigation …
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Governor’s Budget Office Paints Dire Picture for FY 2022-23, Glossing Over Significant Budget Reserve Fund Appearing before the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee today, the Governor’s budget secretary, Melissa McCaw, sounded some cautionary alarms despite healthy budget reserves. Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Secretary McCaw said that General Fund deficits are projected to be $3.5 billion …
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