HARTFORD –State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today voted for changes to the second year of Connecticut’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget that delivers $190 million more in education aid to Connecticut’s cities and towns, another $100 million to cities and towns, $300 million for early childcare, and $30 million more for low-income health care –  all while remaining balanced and under the state spending cap. 
 
Senate Bill 1 was passed on a bipartisan 30-6 vote and immediately sent to the House of Representatives for final approval.
 
Sen. Lesser welcomed the second-year budget adjustments, which will result in $128.98 million in total state aid this year  – $12.75 million more than last year – for Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield, including an 8.55% increase of $6.37 million in education funding.

“These second-year budget adjustments are a reflection of the times, where towns are struggling in a tight economy with increased costs. We heard from parents and town leaders and came through with a pretty comprehensive investment in education, health care, and early child care that’s going to do a lot of good and which should save local taxpayers some money,” Sen. Lesser said.
 
Major, positive changes in the second year of the adjusted budget include:
 

• $152 million in increased aid for local boards of education in the form of an additional ECS grant. This $152 million increase will also be built into the ECS grant in FY 28, which begins on July 1, 2027.
• $20 million in additional funding to ensure that all school districts receive a minimum of a 2% increase in their ECS grant this year, regardless of student enrollment.
• $18 million in additional aid for magnet schools, the Open Choice program, charter schools, and vocational-technical schools. 
• $100 million for state grants to cities and towns.
• A $30 million increase to the state’s HUSKY health care program on top of the $45 million already budgeted, resulting in a total $75 million increase. HUSKY Health provides comprehensive, no-cost or low-cost medical coverage to eligible low-income residents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
• A $300 million transfer of ‘volatile’ state revenue to the Early Childhood Endowment which helps families access childcare, supports higher wages for educators, and improves childcare facilities.
• $50 million to begin rebuilding Vinal Tech High School in Middletown.

 
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