Looney, Duff Welcome Commission on Education Funding, Commit to Near-Term Investment in Every Student

HARTFORD — Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today welcomed Governor Lamont’s establishment of the Blue-Ribbon Commission on K-12 Education Funding and Accountability. The Senate leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to delivering meaningful short-term relief through Senate Bill 7, the chamber’s priority legislation to strengthen education funding this legislative session. Senators Looney and Duff issued the following statement:

“We commend Governor Lamont for taking on the much-needed work of modernizing how Connecticut funds its public schools. Nearly a decade ago, we helped lead important changes to the state’s formula for local education funding, but it is time to get under the hood to ensure we are meeting the needs of today’s students. Connecticut’s students deserve a funding structure that is fair, current, and built around their needs. At the same time, school districts cannot wait for relief, which is why the Senate is committed to acting this session on our priority legislation to raise the ECS foundation grant and increase base funding for every student in Connecticut. Long-term reform and short-term investment are both essential, and the Senate looks forward to working with Governor Lamont and the House to deliver on both.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193