Author: Devin James

SENATOR OSTEN VOTES TO SUPPORT FARMERS WITH TAX RELIEF, GRANT PROGRAM

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR OSTEN VOTES TO SUPPORT FARMERS WITH TAX RELIEF, GRANT PROGRAM

HARTFORD – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today voted to support the many farmers she represents in the 19th State Senate District in Eastern Connecticut by endorsing  legislation that creates stronger tax incentives and expanded tax exemptions for farmers.

Senate Bill 1497, “An Act Concerning Programming At The Department Of Agriculture,” passed the Senate on a bipartisan 35-1 voted and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“Eastern Connecticut is home to a wide variety of farms, both small and large, but there’s not as many as there used to be. We need to support out farmers in every way we can to stay in business and pass that business on, and this bill helps to reduce some of the costs associated with farming, such as taxes on the machinery and buildings that they need to operate,” said Sen. Osten.

SB 1497 takes the following steps to support farming in Connecticut:

-It provides a 20% income tax credit for farmers investing in machinery, buildings or equipment, supporting farmers who are struggling with costs and inflation

-It increases the local property tax exemption on farm machinery to $250,000, an increase from $100,000, with another $250,000 in savings if municipalities opt in; municipalities can also exempt up to $500,000 of farm buildings supporting barns, greenhouses and storage facilities

-It creates a new state-backed crop loss reimbursement grant program will help support farmers who face crop losses after extreme weather events, following increased flooding seen in recent years

-Farms engaged in agritourism, like pick-your-own fruit or seasonal festivals, will receive civil liability protection

-Drones can be used for precision application of fertilizers and pesticides

SENATOR CABRERA VOTES FOR A STATE BUDGET THAT INVESTS IN FAMILIES, EDUCATION AND OUR TOWNS

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SENATOR CABRERA VOTES FOR A STATE BUDGET THAT INVESTS IN FAMILIES, EDUCATION AND OUR TOWNS

HARTFORD – State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) joined his Senate Democratic  colleagues this evening in voting to approve the 2026-27 biennial, no-tax increase state budget that invests in Connecticut’s children, families and towns.

The budget passed 25-11 on a purely partisan vote and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.

“Once again, the people of Connecticut are the winners with this responsible, balanced Democratic state budget that doesn’t raise taxes, stays under the constitutional spending cap, and invests in people, education, and our cities and towns,” said Sen. Cabrera. “I’m pleased to have secured millions of more dollars in state aid for the cities and towns in my district. All of that adds up to better services and a better quality of life in the region.”

In the budget, Sen. Cabrera secured a total of $305.2 million in state aid for the 17h State Senate District towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge, which is a $9.2 million increase in state aid over the previous biennial budget.

Included in that total is $231.28 million in Education Cost Sharing (ECS) aid, an increase of $9.37 million over the previous biennial budget.

The 2026-27 State of Connecticut General Fund budget totals $49.392 billion. The budget does not raise income, gasoline or sales taxes and is about $1 million under the constitutional spending cap in FY 26 and $75 million under the spending cap in FY 27.

The budget increases state aid to all local schools by $186 million to $2.4 billion and increases special education ‘excess cost’ aid to cities and towns by more than $80 million to $442 million.

The budget also increases by $250 per family the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the working poor, totaling $26 million per year, affecting an estimated tens of thousands of Connecticut families.

Today’s state budget also fully funds Medicaid, including more than $400 million in increased funding to shore up the program on which 900,000 Connecticut residents rely, and it invests $7 million in Foodshare, a nonprofit that helps to feed hungry families,

SENATOR DUFF VOTES FOR A STATE BUDGET THAT INVESTS IN FAMILIES, EDUCATION AND OUR TOWNS

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SENATOR DUFF VOTES FOR A STATE BUDGET THAT INVESTS IN FAMILIES, EDUCATION AND OUR TOWNS

HARTFORD – Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) joined his Senate Democratic colleagues this evening in voting to approve the 2026-27 biennial no-tax increase state budget that invests in Connecticut’s children, families and towns.

The budget passed 25-11 on a purely partisan vote and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.

“Locally, this budget delivers more education funding for the Norwalk Public Schools and a record amount of municipal aid for the City of Norwalk. All in all, this funding will help meet Norwalk’s needs over the next two years, especially on some of its most pressing issues,” said Sen. Duff.

In the budget, Sen. Duff secured the following state aid for the 25th State Senate District:

-Norwalk will receive $76.4 million in total state aid over the next two years, a $21.35 million increase of approximately 38% over the previous biennial budget.

-Of that total, Norwalk will receive $32.89 million in school aid, a $1.9 million increase of about 6% over the previous biennial budget.

-Norwalk will also receive $383,000 in a new Special Education and Expansion Development grant.

-Darien will receive $2.42 million in total state aid over the next two years, a $263,000 increase of about 12% over the previous biennial budget.

-Of that total, Darien will receive $1.1 million in school aid, a $50,400 increase of about 4.9% over the previous biennial budget.

Sen. Duff also secured:

-$3.2 million for the Norwalk Transit District Route Enhancements and ADA Shortfall

-$2.9 million for the Women’s Business Development Council

-$2.2 million for the Norwalk Transit Coastal Link

-$2 million for The Workplace Retail Project

-$1.67 million for Person 2 Person

-$1.607 million for the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium

-$750,000 for Waterford’s Upstart Program

-$190,500 for the Connecticut Writing Project

-$161,726 for Stepping Stones

-$200,000 each for Filling in the Blanks, Robotics Funding, and Serving All Vessels Equally (SAVE) in Norwalk

-$100,000 each for Cornerstone Community Foundation, Norwalk International Cultural Exchange (NICE Festival), and the Norwalk Symphony

-$80,000 for the Youth Business Initiative

-$50,000 each for the Raymond Boathouse and Homes for Hope in Westport

-$40,000 each for Basket of Love, the MLK Scholarship Fund, and the Norwalk Housing Authority Scholarship Fund

 

“Our budget priorities and budget process here in Connecticut could not be more different than what’s happening right now in Washington, D.C. with Republicans and Donald Trump in charge,” Sen. Duff continued. “We’re paying down debt in Connecticut while they’re exploding it in Washington. We’re expanding access to childcare instead of slashing Head Start. We’re delivering record education aid to towns instead of dismantling the Department of Education. And we’re providing tax relief to lower-income working families, not billionaires. Democrats did  right by Connecticut in this state budget.”

The 2026-27 State of Connecticut General Fund budget totals $49.392 billion, with a FY 26 growth rate of 5.4% and a FY 27 growth rate of 5.5%. The budget does not raise income, gasoline or sales taxes and is about $1 million under the constitutional spending cap in FY 26 and $75 million under the spending cap in FY 27.

The budget increases state aid to all local schools by $186 million to $2.4 billion and increases special education ‘excess cost’ aid to cities and towns by more than $80 million to $442 million.

The budget also increases by $250 per family the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the working poor, totaling $26 million per year, affecting an estimated tens of thousands of Connecticut households (Norwalk has the 8th-highest number of EITC households in the state, with nearly 5,000 claiming the credit.)

Today’s state budget also fully funds Medicaid, including more than $400 million in increased funding to shore up the program on which 900,000 Connecticut residents rely, and it invests $7 million in Foodshare, a nonprofit that helps to feed hungry families.

Senator Gaston Delivers State Budget With Over Half A Billion for Bridgeport

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Senator Gaston Delivers State Budget With Over Half A Billion for Bridgeport

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport) gave final approval to a Democratic state budget that provides significant increases in state aid for Bridgeport.

The biennium budget includes over half a billion dollars in state funding for Bridgeport which includes $273.1 million in FY 26, which is an increase of $18.2 million, and $273.6 million in FY 27, which is an increase of $18.8 million. In FY 26 and FY 27 there is $212.7 million each year in funding to Bridgeport education. This is a total of $425.4 million in an increase of $11 million over FY 25.

“This budget delivers for Bridgeport in a big way—over half a billion dollars in state aid, including major investments in our schools, our families, and our future,” said Sen. Gaston. “Investing in education is one of the most critical steps we can take to secure Bridgeport’s future. Our students deserve the same opportunities as anyone in this state, and this funding helps level the playing field—providing essential resources, improving classroom experiences, and giving our kids the tools they need to succeed. It reflects our values by lifting up working people, supporting our most vulnerable, and making sure Bridgeport gets the resources we need to thrive. I’m proud to have helped pass a budget that puts people first.”

Investing in Our State

-A $250 tax refund for hundreds of thousands of workers with children through an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit program, which will benefit as many as 195,000 households – one out of every seven

-Projected state surpluses and continued investment in the state’s Budget Reserve Fund

-A total of $2.4 billion in Education Cost Sharing grant investment, with $186 million of new investments for the two-year period; this includes “holding harmless” 81 towns that would have seen a decrease in ECS funding

-$80 million in additional special education cost savings and $75 million in additional new special education funding for a total of $442 million in special education excess cost spending

-Investing $76 million in nonprofits in the second year of the budget to support worker wages

-Tax credits supporting refundable personal income tax credits for home daycare owners and farm investments

-Fully funding Medicaid, with more than $400 million in increased funding to support the program 900,000 Connecticut residents rely on

-Investing $7 million in Connecticut Foodshare, helping feed hungry Connecticut families

-Investing $3 million in heating assistance as federal programs may see funding reductions

New Britain Delegation Delivers over $151 Million to New Britain in Balanced State Budget

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New Britain Delegation Delivers over $151 Million to New Britain in Balanced State Budget

Today, the New Britain Delegation including state Senator Rick Lopes, state Representatives Robert Sanchez, Gary Turco, Manny Sanchez, and David DeFronzo are grateful a balanced, $55.8 billion dollar budget passed bringing over $151 million to New Britain that will strengthen infrastructure, support education, expand economic development, and improve quality of life for New Britain residents.

The biennium budget includes over $151 million to New Britain which is a total increase of $9.7 million in FY 26 and $9.8 million in FY 27, both of which includes $8.6 million in increased education funding.

“I proudly voted to pass a budget that delivers on our promise to invest in New Britain’s future,” said Sen. Lopes. “This funding is not just welcome — it’s necessary. Our city faces real challenges, from aging infrastructure to underfunded schools and rising costs for working families. This budget brings over $151 million directly to New Britain, providing critical support where it’s needed most. It’s a balanced, fiscally responsible plan that puts New Britain residents first and reflects our commitment to building a stronger, more equitable community.”

“I’m proud to help secure a budget that puts New Britain’s taxpayers at the forefront,” said Rep. Robert Sanchez. “Focusing on local support for our community with a historic increase in education funding, we’re giving our students and teachers the tools they need to succeed. These investments are a reflection of our values that every child, regardless of ZIP code, deserves access to a quality education and a bright future.”

“This budget is a win for working families in New Britain,” said Rep. Turco. “From boosting local aid to investing in job creation and economic development, we’re delivering results that will improve everyday life in our city.”

“New Britain deserves its fair share, and this budget helps change deliver that,” said Rep. Manny Sanchez. “These are real dollars to improve our infrastructure, strengthen public services, and expand opportunity. I’m committed to making sure these funds lift up our community and ensure no one is left behind.”

“As a lifelong New Britain resident, I know how much this investment means to our neighborhoods,” said Rep. DeFronzo. “This budget reflects what we’ve heard from constituents the need for better schools, safer streets, and more support for local businesses. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to deliver a budget that meets those needs and moves our city forward.”

The $55.8 billion dollar budget falls under the spending cap in both years and maintains fiscal responsibility, resulting in a balanced budget, even as Congressional Republicans abandon budgetary discipline and endorse Donald Trump’s deficit-ballooning plan to cut taxes for the rich.

Senator Maroney Votes for Balanced State Budget

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Senator Maroney Votes for Balanced State Budget

Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) voted in support of the recently passed $55.8 billion biennial state budget, which secures significant funding for his district including Milford, Orange, West Haven and Woodbridge. The budget passed will strengthen infrastructure, support education, expand economic development, and improve quality of life for residents in Connecticut.

The biennium budget will deliver over $15.3 million for FY 26 in Milford, $73.5 million for West Haven, over $2 million for Orange, and nearly $3 million for Woodbridge. In total, these four towns are getting an additional $5 million each year.

“I’m proud to have voted for a budget that brings real results to the communities I represent,” said Sen. Maroney. “This balanced budget delivers over $90 million to Milford, Orange, West Haven, and Woodbridge—supporting our schools, strengthening local infrastructure, and investing in economic development. At a time when fiscal responsibility is more important than ever, this plan delivers targeted relief without raising taxes, and ensures our towns have the resources they need to grow and thrive.”

Investing in Our State

-A $250 tax refund for hundreds of thousands of workers with children through an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit program, which will benefit as many as 195,000 households – one out of every seven

-Projected state surpluses and continued investment in the state’s Budget Reserve Fund

-A total of $2.4 billion in Education Cost Sharing grant investment, with $186 million of new investments for the two-year period; this includes “holding harmless” 81 towns that would have seen a decrease in ECS funding

-$80 million in additional special education cost savings and $75 million in additional new special education funding for a total of $442 million in special education excess cost spending

-Investing $76 million in nonprofits in the second year of the budget to support worker wages

-Tax credits supporting refundable personal income tax credits for home daycare owners and farm investments

-Fully funding Medicaid, with more than $400 million in increased funding to support the program 900,000 Connecticut residents rely on

-Investing $7 million in Connecticut Foodshare, helping feed hungry Connecticut families

-Investing $3 million in heating assistance as federal programs may see funding reductions

Senator McCrory Votes to Approve State Budget that Invests in Education and Early Childhood

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Senator McCrory Votes to Approve State Budget that Invests in Education and Early Childhood

Sen. Doug McCrory, D-Hartford voted Tuesday to approve the 2026-27 biennial state budget. The budget dedicates significant resources to education and childcare, invests an additional $5 million in schools across the 2nd Senate District.

The balanced $56.16 billion two-year budget, which passed the Senate 25-11, does not increase taxes, it reduces state costs and maintains fiscal responsibility in addition to making needed investments in Connecticut communities. It grows at a 5.4% rate in the 2026 fiscal year and 5.5% in the 2027 fiscal year.

The budget includes $2.4 billion in Education Cost Sharing Grants: state aid to support local education. It invests $200 million in early childcare education, expanding access to Early Start CT childcare programs at affordable rates for families and allowing children receive high quality childcare from birth to five years old, also funding a health care subsidy for care providers.

“This state budget prioritizes the things that matter: making sure our schools receive enough resources to give kids in every neighborhood a quality education, expanding child care options to support working parents, helping our districts cover the rising cost of special education, and supporting the local nonprofits that serve our community,” Senator McCrory said. “I’m proud of the resources I’ve secured for the people of Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor and I was happy to support this budget for families across this state.”

Important provisions of the new budget include:

 

-A $250 tax refund for hundreds of thousands of workers with children through an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit program, which will benefit as many as 195,000 households – one out of every seven

-Projected state surpluses and continued investment in the state’s Rainy Day Fund

-In addition to $2.4 billion in Education Cost Sharing grants, the budget includes $186 million in new investments for the two-year period,  this includes “holding harmless” 81 towns that would have seen a decrease in ECS funding

-$80 million in additional special education cost savings and $75 million in additional new special education funding for a total of $442 million in special education excess cost spending

-Investing $76 million in nonprofits in the second year of the budget to support worker wages

-Tax credits supporting refundable personal income tax credits for home daycare owners and farm investments

-Fully funding Medicaid, with more than $400 million in increased funding to support the program 900,000 Connecticut residents rely on

-Investing $7 million in Connecticut Foodshare, helping feed hungry Connecticut families

-Investing $3 million in heating assistance as federal programs may see funding reductions

SENATOR MAHER JOINS APPROVAL OF TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET INVESTING IN EDUCATION, FAMILIES, TOWNS AND CITIES

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SENATOR MAHER JOINS APPROVAL OF TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET INVESTING IN EDUCATION, FAMILIES, TOWNS AND CITIES

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) joined the State Senate’s approval of the 2026-27 biennial state budget. This budget, which passed by a 25-11 vote, invests significant amounts in education and childcare statewide and also invests in families through an increase to the Earned Income Tax Credit.  It provides significant investments to local communities, including $4,248,875 in local support. The local funding includes education investments, special education funding and municipal support, among other support.

“This state budget addresses our most pressing needs and provides valuable investment in childcare, which will pay dividends for generations to come,” said Sen. Maher. “But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’m proud to vote for a document that makes sure we’re funding our obligations to towns and cities, provides support to families in need and keeps us focused on our priorities, including fiscal responsibility.”

The balanced $55.16billion two-year budget does not increase taxes, reduces state costs and maintains the state’s fiscal responsibility in addition to making needed investments in Connecticut communities. It grows at a 5.4% rate in the 2026 fiscal year and 5.5% in the 2027 fiscal year.

The budget invests $200 million in early childcare education, expanding access to Early Start CT childcare programs at affordable rates for families, and allowing children to receive high quality childcare from birth to five years old, also funding a health care subsidy for care providers.

Important parts of the new budget include:

 

     -A $250 tax refund for tens of thousands of workers with children through an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit program, which will benefit as many as 195,000 children

    – Projected state surpluses and continued investment in the state’s Rainy Day Fund

    – A total of $2.4 billion in Education Cost Sharing grant investment, with $186 million of new investments for the two-year period; this includes “holding harmless” 81 towns that would have seen a decrease in ECS funding

    – $80 million in additional special education cost savings and $75 million in additional new special education funding for a total of $442 million in special education excess cost spending

   –  Investing $76 million in nonprofits in the second year of the budget to support worker wages

   –  Tax credits supporting refundable personal income tax credits for home daycare owners and farm investments

   –  Fully funding Medicaid, with more than $400million in increased funding to support the program 900,000 Connecticut residents rely on

   –  Investing $7 million in Connecticut Foodshare, helping feed hungry Connecticut families

     -Investing $3 million in heating assistance as federal programs may see funding reductions

Senator Honig Votes to Approve Two-Year Budget that Sends More State Aid to the 8th District

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Senator Honig Votes to Approve Two-Year Budget that Sends More State Aid to the 8th District

Sen. Paul Honig, D-Harwinton, voted Tuesday to approve the 2026-27 biennial state budget. The budget dedicates significant resources to education and childcare, invests in families through an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit and provides a total of $5.2 million in additional state aid to towns and cities in the 8th Senate District.

“This budget provides real support to the towns and families of the 8th District,” Senator Honig said. “I’m proud that my efforts have helped secure more state funding for our local communities, especially in areas like education, childcare, and municipal aid. These investments will ease pressure on town budgets and give working families the tools they need to thrive.”

The balanced $56.16 billion two-year budget, which passed the Senate 25-11, does not increase taxes, reduces state costs and maintains fiscal responsibility in addition to making needed investments in Connecticut communities. It grows at a 5.4% rate in the 2026 fiscal year and 5.5% in the 2027 fiscal year.

The budget invests $200 million in early childcare education, expanding access to Early Start CT childcare programs at affordable rates for families and allowing children receive high quality childcare from birth to five years old, also funding a health care subsidy for care providers.

Important provisions of the new budget include:

 

-A $250 tax refund for hundreds of thousands of workers with children through an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit program, which will benefit as many as 195,000 households – one out of every seven

-Projected state surpluses and continued investment in the state’s Rainy Day Fund

-A total of $2.4 billion in Education Cost Sharing grant investment, with $186 million of new investments for the two-year period; this includes “holding harmless” 81 towns that would have seen a decrease in ECS funding

-$80 million in additional special education cost savings and $75 million in additional new special education funding for a total of $442 million in special education excess cost spending

-Investing $76 million in nonprofits in the second year of the budget to support worker wages

-Tax credits supporting refundable personal income tax credits for home daycare owners and farm investments

-Fully funding Medicaid, with more than $400 million in increased funding to support the program 900,000 Connecticut residents rely on

-Investing $7 million in Connecticut Foodshare, helping feed hungry Connecticut families

Investing $3 million in heating assistance as federal programs may see funding reductions

Senator Rahman Votes to Approve Two-Year Budget that Supports Schools, Families of the 4th District

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Senator Rahman Votes to Approve Two-Year Budget that Supports Schools, Families of the 4th District

Sen. MD Rahman, D-Manchester, voted Tuesday to approve the 2026-27 biennial state budget. The budget dedicates significant resources to education and childcare, invests in families through an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit and provides a total of $16.7 million in additional state aid to towns and cities in the 4th Senate District.

“This budget sends additional state support to the people of the 4th District and across Connecticut,” Senator Rahman said. “It delivers critical investments in education, childcare, and public health, all while staying fiscally responsible and not raising taxes. I’ve worked to ensure our towns receive the state support they need, and I’m proud of the increased aid that will strengthen our schools, help working families, and ease pressure on local budgets. This is how we build a stronger future for everyone.”

The balanced $56.16 billion two-year budget, which passed the Senate 25-11, does not increase taxes, reduces state costs and maintains fiscal responsibility in addition to making needed investments in Connecticut communities. It grows at a 5.4% rate in the 2026 fiscal year and 5.5% in the 2027 fiscal year.

The budget invests $200 million in early childcare education, expanding access to Early Start CT childcare programs at affordable rates for families and allowing children receive high quality childcare from birth to five years old, also funding a health care subsidy for care providers.

Important provisions of the new budget include:

-A $250 tax refund for hundreds of thousands of workers with children through an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit program, which will benefit as many as 195,000 households – one out of every seven

-Projected state surpluses and continued investment in the state’s Rainy Day Fund

-A total of $2.4 billion in Education Cost Sharing grant investment, with $186 million of new investments for the two-year period; this includes “holding harmless” 81 towns that would have seen a decrease in ECS funding

-$80 million in additional special education cost savings and $75 million in additional new special education funding for a total of $442 million in special education excess cost spending

-Investing $76 million in nonprofits in the second year of the budget to support worker wages

-Tax credits supporting refundable personal income tax credits for home daycare owners and farm investments

-Fully funding Medicaid, with more than $400 million in increased funding to support the program 900,000 Connecticut residents rely on

-Investing $7 million in Connecticut Foodshare, helping feed hungry Connecticut families

Investing $3 million in heating assistance as federal programs may see funding reductions