The General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee is bracing for an intense public hearing Monday as it gathers opinions on proposed state employee bonuses and raises that could cost Connecticut nearly $1.9 billion between now and 2025.
The hearing, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., will be streamed live on The Connecticut Network and on the committee’s YouTube channel.
The committee, which faces the annual task of proposing the state budget, is prepared for an issue that has already polarized the General Assembly, as well as labor and taxpayer advocacy groups.
It would cost Connecticut nearly $1.9 billion over four years to cover the raises, bonuses and related costs Gov. Ned Lamont negotiated for about 46,000
It would cost Connecticut nearly $1.9 billion over four years to cover the raises, bonuses and related costs Gov. Ned Lamont negotiated for about 46,000 state employees, nonpartisan legislative analysts reported Thursday.
The package, which would force Connecticut to draw almost $300 million from its reserves, is expected to come under heavy fire Monday from Republican lawmakers.
GOP leaders noted the $407 million in raises and bonuses the Democratic governor would channel annually to state workers far exceeds the tax relief he proposed for all Connecticut residents.