HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The Latest on the Connecticut state budget (all times local):
6:15 p.m.
A committee has approved a two-year $43.3 billion spending plan for the state of Connecticut that replenishes funding for local schools and highway rest areas and lays the groundwork for a higher minimum wage and a new paid family medical leave program.
The Democratic-controlled Appropriations Committee approved the plan in a 32-to-17 vote Tuesday. It spends $130 million more over two years than the budget Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont presented in February.
Lamont is praising the committee’s efforts. He says he now looks forward to crafting a “final and honest” budget agreement with lawmakers.
Republicans are criticizing the legislation, arguing it will lead to tax increases.
The Finance Revenue and Bonding may vote Wednesday on a revenue package that addresses Lamont’s plan to apply the sales tax to more goods and services.
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4:30 p.m.
Lawmakers are expected to advance a two-year $43.3 billion spending plan for the state of Connecticut that replenishes funding for local schools and highway rest areas and lays the groundwork for a higher minimum wage and a new paid family medical leave program.
While mistakenly omitted from the bill, legislators say they also expect cities and towns will be required to pick up part of teacher pension costs - a concept that was met with disappointment from municipal advocacy groups.
The Democratic-controlled Appropriations Committee was voting Tuesday on the proposal, which spends $130 million more over two years than the budget Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont presented in February.
A final tally of the votes was due at 5 p.m.
Republicans are criticizing the legislation, arguing it will lead to tax increases.
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10:30 a.m.
The General Assembly’s budget-writing committee is voting on a revamped version of Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont’s two-year, $43.1 billion budget.
The Democratic-controlled Appropriations Committee was considering Tuesday a proposed spending plan with a slightly higher bottom line than what Lamont offered in February.
Sprague state Sen. Cathy Osten, the committee’s co-chair, says much of the increase stems from reversing Lamont’s proposed local education aid cuts.
The Democrat called the committee’s budget “fair and honest.”
Members of the Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee may vote Wednesday on a separate bill that addresses Lamont’s proposed tax changes. There’s been disagreement between Lamont and some Democrats over his proposal to extend the sales tax to new goods and services.
All these plans will become the basis for a final negotiated budget agreement.
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