HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - New figures show Connecticut is facing a $900 million deficit in the current budget year and a roughly $2.3 billion shortfall in the new fiscal year that begins July 1, mostly due to the devastating financial impacts of the coronavirus.
With many businesses shuttered or partially open and hundreds of thousands of residents seeking unemployment benefits, the state has seen substantial revenue declines, including drops in sales, personal income and gas tax collections.
“I have got to tell you that COVID has been tough on our physical health, it’s been tough on our mental health and it’s also been tough on our fiscal health,” Gov. Ned Lamont told reporters Friday during his daily briefing on the pandemic. “The state was on track and doing very well, on-budget up until a couple of months ago.”
The Democrat stressed, however, that Connecticut has one of the largest budget reserve accounts in the country, currently about $2.5 billion. Part of that is expected to be used to cover the current fiscal year deficit, which is technically about $570 million. The remaining $330 million of the $900 million deficit projection stems from delayed federal reimbursement.
That leaves about $1.9 billion of the budget reserves left to cover next year’s $2.3 billion projected deficit. Lamont and his budget director, Melissa McCaw, said they expect they’ll have to delay some planned tax changes, impose budget cuts and seek savings from state employees.
It remains unclear whether the federal government will provide stimulus money to states to help cover budget gaps. While Connecticut has already received about $1.4 billion, that money is earmarked for COVID-19-related expenses, including testing and health care.
In other coronavirus developments in Connecticut:
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NURSING HOME DEATHS
Nursing home patients account for the majority of deaths in Connecticut related to COVID19, according to data released by the governor’s office.
Figures released Thursday night showed the number of nursing home deaths confirmed by tests to be coronavirus-related and those listed as “probable” for COVID-19 totaled 1,249. By Friday evening, the state had attributed 2,339 total deaths to the virus.
According to the state, 26% of COVID-19 cases in nursing homes resulted in death. That is up from 23% a week ago.
The hardest-hit nursing homes were reported to be Kimberly Hall North in Windsor and Riverside Health & Rehabilitation Center in East Hartford, which each report at least 39 confirmed or probable virus-related deaths.
There were 37 such deaths at Abbott Terrace Health Center in Waterbury and 28 at the Sheridan Woods Health Care Center in Bristol.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.
The state also released coronavirus data Thursday for the first time on 54 assisted living facilities. It showed 558 confirmed cases statewide and 140 more that are suspected to be COVID-19. Details about fatalities will be released next week.
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PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL PATIENTS
A federal lawsuit has been filed seeking the release of patients from Connecticut’s two inpatient psychiatric hospitals in Middletown because of concern over the spread of the coronavirus inside the facilities.
Attorneys with the Connecticut Legal Rights Project say the virus has been detected in every building on the campus that houses the Connecticut Valley Hospital and the Whiting Forensic Hospital. A CVH patient with COVID-19 died on Thursday, according to the lawsuit.
A message was left Friday seeking comment from the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
The lawsuit asks that a judge order the assessment of all patients and the release into the “most integrated” community settings possible of all but those deemed to pose the highest risk to the community.
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STATE PARK RESTRICTIONS
The public is being warned of possible temporary closures at several state parks this weekend where visitor limits have been implemented to help encourage social distancing. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is urging people who want to enjoy the spring weather to visit some lesser-known parks and plan ahead by checking DEEP’s Twitter feed, @CTStateParks, to make sure a particular park isn’t already closed. Parking and walking into a park that has reached capacity is not permitted and could result in a fine.
The parks remain open for groups no larger than five people. DEEP is recommending people keep their visits brief. Face masks must be worn if proper social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained. Picnics are not permitted and restrooms and most other facilities are closed.
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FOOD STAMPS
Nearly 100,000 households in Connecticut will be receiving additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance or SNAP benefits, on May 8. The extra food benefits, valued at $15.4 million, will ensure all households enrolled in SNAP will receive the maximum food benefit allowed for their household size. The average emergency benefit transferred onto a household’s EBT card will be $150.
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TOWN MEETINGS
The governor has signed an executive order clarifying that elected municipal bodies, going forward, must adopt adopt a budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year without an in-person vote by residents. The order also validates any budget referendum or annual town meeting that has already been conducted. Additionally, Lamont’s order also allows common-interest communities, such as condominium associations, to conduct business remotely and hold votes by ballot.
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