Rep. Buchsbaum Backs $40M in Special Education Funding, Calls for Greater Action

HARTFORD— State Representative Jason Buchsbaum (R-Southbury) on Monday supported legislation that provides an additional $40 million in special education Excess Cost Grant funding to municipalities and school districts in this fiscal year. 

The Excess Cost Grant is a critical state funding source that helps municipalities manage the skyrocketing costs of providing intensive services to students with the greatest needs. Representative Buchsbaum believes further relief is needed for our school districts.  He joined fellow Republicans in fighting to fully fund the special education Excess Cost Grant.

In an effort to deliver more relief to cities and towns, Rep. Buchsbaum and House Republicans introduced an amendment to fully fund the grant—providing the $108 million necessary to fully fund this important obligation.

That amendment was rejected along party lines in a 48-96 vote.

Despite the amendment’s failure, Rep. Buchsbaum ultimately supported the $40 million measure, recognizing it as a necessary though insufficient step.

“This will directly and positively impact school districts in the 69th district.  While this additional $40 million approval is a step in the right direction, it is not nearly enough to fully fund the obligation.  We are currently underfunding the Excess Cost Grant and our schools need relief and certainty from Hartford.  This needs to be a priority in the upcoming budget discussions,” said Rep. Buchsbaum.

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