Budget Update

By now, you have heard about the governor’s budget proposal and the crippling effect that document would have on our cities and towns. I wanted to update you in terms of where we are in the process and what I plan to do to ensure this proposal does not pass as written.

After the governor provides his proposed budget, the legislature will review it. This review primarily takes place within the Appropriations Committee, a committee I have been a part of since being elected to the state legislature.

The Appropriations Committee is currently in the process of hearing about the impact this proposed budget would have on various state agencies. The public will also have the opportunity to provide comment over the next couple of weeks. For a schedule of hearing times, please click here.

The Appropriations Committee will eventually release its own budget proposal, which will look like a more finalized version of what will end up being the binding two-year budget. The entire legislature will then cast a vote on this version.

The budget proposal from the Appropriations Committee will become available in early April. At that time, the House and Senate Republican caucuses may choose to propose their alternative budget. However, these proposals are far too often ignored by the majority party.

I will continue to propose structural changes to address the perpetual deficit issue. One of my bill proposals this session would require the legislature to alert municipalities of what their total aid and education funding will be by March 31st, allowing enough time to make any changes to their local budgets before it is critically late in the fiscal year.

Just two weeks ago, I cast a vote against re-financing the state’s pension liability. This simply disperses an additional $11 billion bill to taxpayers over a longer time period. Unfortunately, the deal ended up passing by a mere margin of 4 votes in the House. However, this is a prime example of the misguided financial policy the majority continues to employ.

I have proposed that all new state employees be placed on a defined contribution plan, as opposed to a defined benefit. This would shift the financial onus from Connecticut to the employee, minimizing unfunded pension liability.

The budget is a work in progress and is far from complete. I encourage you to contact me with your personal input. I can be reached at Jay.Case@housegop.ct.gov or by calling 860-240-8700.