James Maroney

Maroney Praises Funding for Workforce Development,
Tax Relief for Senior Citizens in Budget

HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) praised funding for a program which will help veterans find work, while also bolstering the state’s manufacturing industry, and tax cuts for seniors in the approved biennial budget. The budget passed the state Senate by a 20-16 vote on Tuesday.

“I am pleased to see this budget will provide relief to senior citizens and prioritizes job creation efforts in our state, which will enable our economy to grow and thrive,” said Sen. Maroney. “Additionally funding the Education Cost Sharing formula and not placing the burden of teacher pensions on municipalities provides relief to our state’s taxpayers while not cutting corners on essential programs.”

The budget will provide $250,000 each year for the Military to Machinist Program. The program, introduced by Sen. Maroney, passed the state Senate on Monday, June 3 and will assist veterans in earning an advanced manufacturing certificate from a qualifying certificate program of an institution of higher education and finding employment in the advanced manufacturing field. Additional workforce development measures funded under the budget include:

Jobs Funnel Programs (Over $1 million each year)
Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative ($2 million each year)
Healthcare Apprenticeship Initiative ($500,000 each year)
Connecticut’s Youth Employment Program ($5 million each year)
Cradle to Career ($100,000 each year)
Pilot Re-Entry Program ($800,000 each year)

In addition to job creation programs to put money in Connecticut residents’ pockets, the budget also provides tax relief to the state’s seniors. The budget cuts income taxes for seniors on social security and pensions. It also does not increase the sales tax rate, income tax rate or capital gains tax rate.

The budget also funds 100 percent of pensions and benefits for teachers, while fully funding the Education Cost Sharing formula for the recommended 10 year phase in period. The approved budget is also the most fiscally responsible budget in the state’s history, with the third lowest spending increase in 16 years. Prior to passing the state Senate, the budget passed the state House of Representatives by an 86-65 vote.