Senator Rahman Votes to Approve FY ‘27 State Budget with New Education Aid for 4th District Residents

HARTFORD –Senator MD Rahman, D-Manchester, 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 Rahman voted for and welcomed the second-year budget adjustments, which will result in an additional $5.7 million in education funding for towns across the 4th District. The budget will bring nearly $8.4 million more in town aid to the district.

“This budget sends real money to the people of the 4th District, with $5.7 million more for our schools and nearly $8.4 million more in town aid that will ease pressure on local budgets in Manchester, Glastonbury, Andover, and Bolton,” Senator Rahman said. “It also makes a historic investment in early childhood, expands HUSKY health coverage for families who need it most, and delivers relief to our cities and towns, all while staying balanced and under the spending cap. I’m proud we succeeded in passing a budget that listens to what our communities are actually asking for.”

Local causes funded by the budget include:

• Pathfinders – $150,000
• Glastonbury Parks & Rec – $500,000
• Manchester Senior Center – $75,000
• Glastonbury Irish American Home – $340,000
• Town of Bolton – $50,000
• Manchester Parks & Rec – $1,000,000
• Bolton Parks & Rec – $250,000

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.