Statement on House Democrats/local education funding

HARTFORD—House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford), State Rep. Lezyle Zupkus (R-Prospect), and State Rep. Tammy Nuccio (R-Tolland) released the following statement Monday in response to a news conference by House Democrats on providing more state education funding to local school districts:

"The property tax crisis has reached a fever pitch in communities across Connecticut and we agree with our House Democratic colleagues that state education funding is at the heart of the matter. We're ready and willing to work across the aisle on solutions that will help municipal leaders deliver quality education in a manner taxpayers can afford.

House Republicans have put forward solutions for several years to provide sustainable education funding for our communities, we've prioritized that, but our proposals have been largely ignored. It's good to see the other side of the aisle catching up to the conversation. 

We find encouragement in today's discussion around magnet school and agriscience tuition that local school districts pay, but the bulk of what was described is a promise, not a permanent fix. It would draw from the same $500 million pool of volatile, one-time revenue the Governor has already been eyeing for energy rebates and gas tax relief—enough to get municipal leaders through the budgets they're building right now, but nothing more. Our goal is to prioritize permanence over promises while making sure every community, regardless of size, is treated fairly."

Rep. Zupkus is House Ranking Member of the Education Committee

Rep. Nuccio is House Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee