Marilyn Moore

Sen. Moore: Together We Can Make a State Budget That is Better for Our Community

On February 8, Governor Malloy unveiled his $40 billion, two-year proposed state budget.

As you may know, due to declining revenue collections and increased pension payments, Connecticut is facing a $1.4 billion budget deficit next year. To address this projected shortfall, Gov. Malloy’s proposed budget includes many cuts to programs that are vital to our communities. For example, funding for education has been formulated differently from the past, and several communities would see reduced funding in 2018 and 2019 under the governor’s proposal. There are also reductions to human services programs and childcare subsidies, both of which important to my constituents.

Like you, I am concerned about the impact that the governor’s proposed budget could have on Monroe, Trumbull and Bridgeport. I cannot emphasize enough that the governor’s proposed budget is just that—a proposal —and that the legislature (which is a separate branch of government with its own duties and powers) has just begun its own budget-making process. There is still months of work to do and public voices to be heard.

Every budget idea goes through a rigorous process and is reviewed by several different legislative committees before going to a final vote. Prior to that, there are public hearings on all parts of the budget.

I encourage anyone who is able to please attend a public hearing or submit written testimony (which you can do electronically) to have your voice heard. Legislators like me look at written testimony, and it often helps us decide on a particular issue. For example, last week, I sat through an Education Committee public hearing for 11 hours, where I was enlightened by testimony from Yale Law School students and the executive director of Connecticut Education Association about the impact that the governor’s budget proposal could have on local education funding.

It’s important that I hear citizens’ thoughts on state revenues and spending so I can best formulate a final state budget plan that is equitable and fair for our children and our working-class families. To that end, I’m inviting my constituents in Monroe, Trumbull and Bridgeport to attend one or more of my upcoming budget listening tours: Thursday, March 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport; Tuesday, March 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Trumbull Town Hall, 5866 Main Street in Trumbull; or Tuesday, March 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Monroe Town Hall, 7 Fan Hill Road in Monroe.

Together we can make a state budget that is better than what the governor has proposed.

Sincerely,

State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport)