SENATOR NEEDLEMAN APPROVES FY ‘27 STATE BUDGET WITH NEW EDUCATION AID FOR 33RD DISTRICT RESIDENTS
HARTFORD –State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today voted to approve changes to the second year of the Connecticut’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget that deliver $190 million more in education aid to Connecticut’s cities and towns, another $100 million to cities and towns across the state, $300 million for early childcare, and $30 million more for low-income health care – all while remaining balanced and under the state spending cap.
The investment reflects concerns Senate Democrats heard throughout this legislative session from mayors, first selectmen and school boards. When the state funds more of the local bill, cities and towns do not have to pass costs onto property taxpayers. Running municipalities and schools costs more every year, and the burden of that growth falls disproportionately on the local property tax base. The budget provides meaningful relief to communities statewide at a moment when federal actions are creating new uncertainty for local budgets.
Senate Bill 1 was passed on a 30-6 vote and immediately sent to the House of Representatives for final approval.
Sen. Needleman voted for and welcomed the second-year budget adjustments, which will result in an additional $2.76 million in funds to support the 12 towns in the 33rd District, including $2.025 million in new Education Cost Sharing grant funds. Those represent increases of 5.6% and 5.05%, respectively.
Total aid includes, in addition to ECS, Town Aid Road funding, Payments in Lieu of Taxes funding, car tax grants, Local Capital Improvements Program grants, special education funding and funding through the Mashantucket-Pequot Fund.
“Our towns and schools struggle under high costs just like we do, and that can squeeze taxpayers’ budgets. We’re working to provide some needed and deserved relief for municipalities, education, health care and child care through today’s vote,” said Sen. Needleman. “Hundreds of millions in relief to support schools and towns will not only preserve needed services but deliver relief to taxpayers at a time when we’re all facing budget crunches.”
Major, positive changes in the second year of the adjusted budget include:
The investment reflects concerns Senate Democrats heard throughout this legislative session from mayors, first selectmen and school boards. When the state funds more of the local bill, cities and towns do not have to pass costs onto property taxpayers. Running municipalities and schools costs more every year, and the burden of that growth falls disproportionately on the local property tax base. The budget provides meaningful relief to communities statewide at a moment when federal actions are creating new uncertainty for local budgets.
Senate Bill 1 was passed on a 30-6 vote and immediately sent to the House of Representatives for final approval.
Sen. Needleman voted for and welcomed the second-year budget adjustments, which will result in an additional $2.76 million in funds to support the 12 towns in the 33rd District, including $2.025 million in new Education Cost Sharing grant funds. Those represent increases of 5.6% and 5.05%, respectively.
Total aid includes, in addition to ECS, Town Aid Road funding, Payments in Lieu of Taxes funding, car tax grants, Local Capital Improvements Program grants, special education funding and funding through the Mashantucket-Pequot Fund.
“Our towns and schools struggle under high costs just like we do, and that can squeeze taxpayers’ budgets. We’re working to provide some needed and deserved relief for municipalities, education, health care and child care through today’s vote,” said Sen. Needleman. “Hundreds of millions in relief to support schools and towns will not only preserve needed services but deliver relief to taxpayers at a time when we’re all facing budget crunches.”
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 all school districts receive a minimum of a 4% 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.
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Contact: Joe O’Leary, 508-479-4969, joe.oleary@cga.ct.gov