Senate Leadership
September 20, 2007
Williams Lauds Passage of Comprehensive State Bond Package
School construction, transportation, submarine base will benefit
Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today welcomed the Senate passage of a comprehensive and affordable package of state bonding projects which, above all, allows public school construction projects and improvements to our state colleges and universities to go forward with transportation investments such as rail cars, bridge repairs, and state road work. In addition, the initiative provides tens of millions of dollars for improvements to the Naval Submarine Base in New London.
The total $3.15 billion package for Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009 must still be approved by the House of Representatives and signed into law by Gov. M. Jodi Rell; individual bonding projects must then be placed by the governor on the State Bond Commission agenda for its consideration and approval before any work is undertaken.
"This bonding package represents the legislature's commitment to a wide variety of public investments, from local projects like dam repairs and roof replacements to $40 million for the New London sub base and $1.3 billion for public school improvements," Sen. Williams said. "I believe we've struck the right balance between prioritizing the needs of our cities and towns while living within the means of the state. I know Gov. Rell will give these projects due consideration, and I hope she signs the bill."
Highlights of the bond package as contained in Senate Bill 1501 include:
- $705 million in FY 08 and $603 million in FY 09 for various public school projects.
- $843 million over the biennium for various state transportation projects, including $449 million for the governor's transportation infrastructure program and hundreds of millions of dollars more for road resurfacing, bridge repair, and new rail cars.
- $220 million in Clean Water Fund projects over the biennium.
- $120 million in FY 08 and $140 million in FY 09 for the University of Connecticut.
- $87.3 million in FY 08 and $90.6 million in FY 09 for the Connecticut State University system (Central, Southern, Eastern and Western state universities).
- $53.6 million in FY 08 and $74.7 million in FY 09 for community and technical colleges.
- $120 million over the biennium for various state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) projects, including an unprecedented $40 million for the Naval Submarine Base in New London and $20 million for various housing projects.
- $192 million over the biennium for the state Office of Policy and Management (the governor's budget office) to make Urban Act and Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants, and well as capital equipment purchases and responsible growth monies.
- $130 million over the biennium for the state Department of Environmental Protection for open space grants to towns, various flood control projects, hazardous waste mitigation work, and National Heritage Trust grants.
- $30 million to recapitalize Connecticut Innovations, Inc., the quasi-public state agency designed to provide venture capital for high technology start-up companies.
- $17 million for a new information technology system at the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
"I'm proud to support so many worthwhile investments in Connecticut's communities, which are going to result in safer roads and bridges, better public schools, and an improved quality of life for all of us," Sen. Williams said. "That's what government is supposed to help achieve, and that's the promise of what we accomplished today."
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Senator Williams’ Larry Cook |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Larry Cook |
