Senator Cohen Votes to Approve FY ’27 State Budget with New Education Aid for 12th District Residents

HARTFORD –Senator Christine Cohen, D-Guilford, voted Saturday for changes to the second year of the Connecticut’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget that delivers $190 million more in education aid to municipalities, 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 30-6 vote and immediately sent to the House of Representatives for final approval.

Senator Cohen voted for and welcomed the second-year budget adjustments, which will result in an additional $1.6 million in education funding and a total of more than $2 million in additional town aid for the 12th District.

The budget includes $4 million to maintain and optimize Shore Line East rail operations and another $3 million to increase service, as well as $3.5 million to fund bus passes for students and military veterans. It also includes $10.5 million to ensure microtransit services, like XtraMile, can continue operations.

“Our families, students, and Shoreline commuters are going to benefit directly from this budget, with more than $2 million in additional town aid and $1.6 million in new education funding heading to the 12th District,” Senator Cohen said. “I am grateful that we were able to secure another $3 million expand Shore Line East service, as well as $10.5 million for microtransit services like XtraMile, which so many of our neighbors depend on to get to work every day, alongside $3.5 million for free bus passes for students and veterans who deserve every bit of support we can give them. Together, we have built a budget that invests in our kids, our communities, and the people who need it most, and I look forward to seeing these resources reach every corner of the 12th District.”

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 child care, supports higher wages for educators, and improves child care facilities.