Senate Leadership
June 21, 2007
Williams, Looney: New Budget Agreement Represents Substantial Gains in Health Care
Year-long effort results in $470 million in new dollars to increase access to quality, affordable health care
State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) today said the tentative budget agreement for the next biennium represents several important victories for Democratic priorities including their number one priority-health care. The state House and Senate are expected to vote on the new spending plan tomorrow.
"Nearly a year ago, we stood together as a caucus and declared that increasing access to quality, affordable health care would be our focus for the state," Sen. Williams said. "As we stand ready to vote on a new budget for Connecticut, we are proud to say we have made historic strides. After passing the 'HealthFirst Connecticut and Healthy Kids' initiative during the session, we have now secured some $470 million to fund this critical effort. What we have achieved this year in the area of health care also represents a substantial step toward the ultimate goal-a universal health care system where everyone in the state has access to quality care."
Sen. Looney noted Democrats can also claim victory in the area of state aid for education. "What we fought for and won in this budget is an unprecedented increase in Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding for our cities and towns. This funding will be critical in the effort to hold down property taxes," he said. The budget agreement increases ECS by $181 million in fiscal year 2008 and by $261 million in 2009 over current levels.
Added Sen. Williams, "We were able to save the popular property tax credit targeted for phase-out by the governor, fully fund the teachers' retirement fund for both years of the budget, and pass a landmark energy bill."
Download some other highlights of the budget plan.
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Senator Williams’ Larry Cook |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Larry Cook |
