Current:Home > NewsConnecticut House passes plan to spend remaining COVID funds, forgoing changes to state budget -Prime Money Path
Connecticut House passes plan to spend remaining COVID funds, forgoing changes to state budget
Algosensey Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-10 15:10:00
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Facing a Dec. 31 deadline, the Connecticut House of Representatives approved a Democratic plan to spend at least $360 million in remaining federal COVID-19 pandemic funds on key areas, including higher education, not-for-profit social service agencies, municipal aid and children’s mental health.
Democrats, who control the General Assembly, argued the final allotment of the approximately $2.8 billion Connecticut received through the American Rescue Plan, coupled with state surplus funds, was enough to address the state’s needs. Therefore, they argued, the second year of the two-year $51 billion state budget, which passed last year, should not be renegotiated.
They also said revisiting the $26 billion budget that’s already in place for the new fiscal year beginning July 1 would have proved challenging because it’s only about $1 million below the state’s mandatory cap on spending.
“To open the budget would have led to a parade of difficult decisions,” said House Speaker Matt Ritter, who defended the unusual decision from Republican criticisms.
“We had a good underlying budget,” he told reporters. “If we can do really good budgets and we have to make very minor changes, that’s not a bad thing. Actually, I think it shows predictability and sustainability.”
The House of Representatives passed the legislation, which Democrats dubbed a budget “stabilization bill,” 103-48, with five Republicans joining the majority Democrats. The bill now awaits action in the Senate. The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its legislative session at midnight on Wednesday.
House Republicans argued the Democrats’ plan sets the state up for tax increases in the next two-year budget because it spends one-time federal COVID-19 funds on continuing expenses. They also argued it includes numerous budget adjustments that should have gone through the regular legislative process.
“It’s difficult to really say with a straight face that this is not a budgetary process. It’s impacting revenue, it’s impacting spending,” House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora said. “I would hope that the governor would pause and have somebody do that analysis before he signs this document.”
The House GOP sent a letter to Democratic Attorney General William Tong, asking him to weigh in on whether the legislations constitutes a budget adjustment under the state constitution, which obligates lawmakers to maintain a balanced state budget. Tong’s office said it was reviewing the request.
veryGood! (61)
Related
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- China says it’s working to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea that have upended global trade
- Ford recalls over 1.8 million Explorer SUVs for windshield issue: See which cars are affected
- Who are No Labels’ donors? Democratic groups file complaints in an attempt to find out
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- 'I will never understand': NFL reporter Doug Kyed announces death of 2-year-old daughter
- Is TurboTax actually free? The FTC says no. The company says yes. Here's what's what.
- British billionaire Joe Lewis pleads guilty in insider trading case
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- China says it’s working to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea that have upended global trade
Ranking
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Who are No Labels’ donors? Democratic groups file complaints in an attempt to find out
- 15-year-old to be tried as adult in sexual assault, slaying of girl, 10
- Boeing's quality control draws criticism as a whistleblower alleges lapses at factory
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Annual count of homeless residents begins in Los Angeles, where tens of thousands live on streets
- Kansas City police identify 3 men found dead outside friend's home
- EU’s zero-emission goal remains elusive as new report says cars emit same CO2 levels as 12 years ago
Recommendation
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
The Christopher Reeve 'Super/Man' documentary left Sundance in tears, applause: What to know
Hungary is the last holdout for Sweden’s NATO membership. So when will Orbán follow Turkey’s lead?
‘Doomsday Clock’ signals existential threats of nuclear war, climate disasters and AI
Trump's 'stop
Gangly adolescent giraffe Benito has a new home. Now comes the hard part — fitting in with the herd
Abbott keeps up border security fight after Supreme Court rules feds' can cut razor wire
Thousands of people are forced out of their homes after 7.1 quake in western China