CT Lawmakers Race to Pass Budget, Tax Cuts on Table

0:00Connecticut lawmakers are in a mad dash to pass a state budget before the session ends on May 6th. With federal aid drying up, big budget gaps and sky-high living costs, pressure is on. Three out of four caucuses. Senate Dems and both House parties drop detailed spending and revenue plans. Governor Ned Lamont kicked it off February 4th, but Senate Republicans are keeping their full proposal under wraps. They've pushed the most tax relief so far up to $1.5 billion back to taxpayers. Dems wrote out a $28.7 billion spending blueprint and tax tweaks on March 30th and 31st. That includes hundreds of millions in new income and sales tax credits plus Medicaid expansions. But it bends the spending cap by dipping into surplus funds. Dems are calling out Senate GOP for empty talk. No bill, no analysis, no hearings. Senate leaders say it would wipe out future surpluses in risk deficits. House Speaker Matt Ritter praised House Republicans for their $27.9 billion plan with $400 million in tax cuts and more municipal aid.

1:08Still, even they shifted some payments outside the cap. Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding says it's fair to wait and see since Dems hold the majorities and usually drop their final deal just hours. Before votes, House GOP leader Vincent Candelora stressed showing specifics to prove relief without cuts elsewhere. As the clock ticks toward floor debates, expect amendments to fly and a final deal to emerge from the negotiations, keeping eyes on how they balance. Relief with fiscal guardrails. Stay informed with Hartford News today, AI-powered updates.