State Reps. Ackert and Green Vote ‘Yes’ On Compromised Budget

HARTFORD – State Representatives Tim Ackert (R-Coventry) and Robin Green (R-Marlborough) joined their fellow House Republican and Democrat colleagues in supporting the compromised budget SB-543, brought forth Wednesday night.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle voted overwhelmingly 142-8 in favor of the compromise, which does not include tax increases, tolls, or many of the other items proposed during the shortened session.

This budget proposal provides $16 million in additional funding for the Retired Teachers’ Health Care Fund, fully restores funding for the Medicare Savings Program to 211%, restores funding for programs that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and provides $2 million to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. All municipal aid and ECS funding also remain whole in 2019.

“Although it is at the final hour of the legislative session we have worked together to vote out a compromised bipartisan budget,” Rep. Ackert said. “This agreement completes the work we were sent here to do this year and I’m glad that we could get this done for the people of Connecticut.”

“I am proud that we were able to work together in assuring this budget was completed by the end of this legislative session,” Rep. Green said. “It is nice to see Republicans and Democrats working alongside one another to move Connecticut forward in a positive way.”

In addition, Republicans were able to negotiate a hiring freeze on new state employees saving the state $7 million. Vo-Ag Students will receive an additional $12.5 million in support, set aside $5 million for emergency placement for Department of Developmental Services, and provides almost $30 million more to the Special Transportation Fund. It also prevents Governor Malloy’s increases to bus and train fairs that were expected to take place on July 1st and also includes language that would prevent his ability to cut funding for towns and cities as he did after last year’s bipartisan agreement.

This compromise prevents the governor from running the state via executive order and subjecting municipalities to severe cuts that would have come as a result. Once adopted, the budget would take effect on July 1. This bill now heads off to the governor’s desk for his signature.
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