CT Budget Passes, Boosts Medicaid, Schools, Transit

0:00Connecticut's Appropriations Committee just greenlit a $29 billion dollars state budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. It pumps up Medicaid payments for docs treating low-income folks, saves magnet schools from big cuts, and pours cash into public transit, city grants. In college financial aid, the Democratic-led group passed it 38-12, mostly on party lines. This plan jackspinning up 6.2% from now, leaning on Governor Ned Lamont to dip into a $330 million dollar special. Fun for human services hit by federal cuts. They also poured in the county move to dodge the spinning cap by about $150 million, keeping growth tied to income and inflation. Democrats call it a solid, responsible deal, fulfilling three-year-old promises on doctorates in town aid after hearing from constituents. Republicans like it has some good parts, but slammed the gimmick, warning it echoes past deficits and tax hikes from the 2010s. They push for cuts in state worker raises and college efficiencies instead.

1:03Key wins include $60 million more for Medicaid to fix low rates since 2007, blocking $12 million in magnet school cuts, and $12 million for free school breakfasts. It adds funds for transit like bus fares for students, prison staff after deaths, and job training, while trimming Yukon 8-a-bit. Now it heads to talks between Lamont, whose 28.7 billion plan also forts with the cap, and leaders. They aim to lock in a compromise by May 6th, when session wraps, balancing needs without breaking the bank. Local news, powered by AI. This is Hardford News Today, I'm Corey with The Story.