Case Raises Concern Over Underfunding Services to Vulnerable Populations

HARTFORD – State Rep. Jay Case (R-Winsted) voiced concern over the budget adjustments that were put forth during Tuesday’s House session. The General Assembly sets a two-year budget. The current budget was originally created during the 2023 session year. Typically, adjustments are made to the second year of the budget in order to avoid shortfalls or overspending. In an unprecedented move, the majority moved to fill budget gaps with one-time payments from funds provided to the state through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The ARPA budget adjustment package did not receive a public hearing, nor does it adhere to the state’s established spending and borrowing caps. Case raised additional concerns when the legislation was under debate in the House.

To view his comments, click here.

To summarize, Case pointed out that funding was gutted from important line-items that had originally been budgeted for. The ARPA adjustments removed a PILOT program that would have implemented transportation for vital services in the Northwest corner. Additionally, the bill eliminated funding for a position that was created to help connect individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to critical life-sustaining services. It also removed funding for wheelchair repairs, underfunded nonprofits, and took away resources for the unhoused.

After lengthy debate, the bill was approved, primarily on a party-line vote. It received concurring action in the Senate and is headed to the governor’s desk for his action. Despite concerns raised by Case and many other Republican legislators, he is expected to sign the ARPA adjustment into state law.

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