Rep. Weir Reaction to Gov. Lamont’s Budget Address
One word comes to mind when putting my thoughts together on the Governor’s budget address – squishy.
Governor Lamont began his address by noting that Connecticut is currently better prepared for the unexpected than in past years due to fiscal responsibility put into place in 2017 with the implementation of the “fiscal guardrails.” Among the other things he noted was that we’ve paid down more than 10 billion in pension debt since these guardrails went into place. The benefits of doing such are that it allows the state to borrow money at a lower rate because of our improved credit rating. He touted that being fiscally responsible has ultimately led to Connecticut’s financial improvement, which have avoided the budget shortfalls that have plagued our state for decades.
So, needless to say, it was disappointing to then hear the Governor pivot to boast about our Paid Family Medical Leave, which currently has nearly a $1billion surplus, has a bloated authority in charge of it, spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising its own existence, and in my personal opinion is stealing from taxpayers, many of whom are paying into a system they will never use.
Additionally, he highlighted providing funding for “free” breakfast for all school kids, regardless of need. This program arose during COVID and there was lots of evidence where much of this food ultimately went to waste. I acknowledge there are kids who are not receiving adequate nutrition at home, and for some, the school breakfast are their best (or only) meals of the day. Where there is a need, we should consider providing food in those instances. We should NOT be offering taxpayer subsidized meals for all. This is wasteful and irresponsible.
Among other proposals to increase spending, the Governor called to loosen those very same fiscal guardrails that have put Connecticut on a path of improved financial standing. Just when we were starting to reap the benefits of being financially responsible, Governor Lamont is caving to those who know nothing more than how to tax and spend. We’ve blown through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and now the spending spigot will tighten. While the fiscal guardrails predate my time in the legislature, at the beginning of last year’s session my colleagues and I voted unanimously to retain these restraints as an acknowledgement to their proven success. Within weeks, some of my colleagues were already calling to loosen them. Some in government who lack a backbone will do anything for a vote and that’s what we’re seeing in the calls to loosen these important fiscal guardrails.