Rep. Callahan Advocates for Charter School Funding, Disappointed With Budget Proposal

Hartford—State Representative Patrick Callahan (R-108) expressed disappointment that funding for the Danbury Charter School was not included in the proposed budget document approved Tuesday by the legislature’s Appropriations Committee. Three other pending charters were funded in the document. Callahan supported an amendment offered by his colleague, Rep. Rachel Chaleski (R-138) to allocate money for the Danbury Charter School over the course of the next two years as part of the proposal voted on by the committee this week.

“I am a member of the Danbury delegation and I wholeheartedly support this amendment. The Danbury Charter School has been passed over too many times before, and now is the time to support them. I’m hearing a lot of talk from other members on how they ‘support charters schools, however’ and with this amendment, they can show their support. I support charter schools and I am prepared to do so with a yes vote on this amendment,” said Callahan.

Callahan was among the 12 members to vote in opposition to the $51 billion, two-year budget proposal.

“This is still a work in progress and there is work that needs to be done. We should be looking for ways to lower living costs for Connecticut residents. During these turbulent financial times, record state surpluses should be returned to those who created them – the taxpayers,” said Callahan.

The budget deadline is June 7.