By Keith Phaneuf, CT Mirror
State budget talks bogged down close to the finish line Memorial Day weekend, but the stumbling block aid to cities and towns and the statutory spending cap is a big one.
And while officials have until June 9 before the regular session closes, one key House Democrat hinted that chamber might run its own budget plan without the backing of Gov. Ned Lamont or the Senate if consensus isn’t reached by Thursday or Friday.
“The House is ready to get this budget done,” Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, who co-chairs the tax-writing Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, said Monday. “We feel we have a really good appropriations package and a finance package that meets the moment.”
As negotiations on a new two-year Connecticut state budget continue, the General Assembly s Progressive Caucus is putting pressure on Democratic leaders to
Progressives push for higher taxes as budget talks continue
SUSAN HAIGH, Associated Press
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As negotiations on a new two-year Connecticut state budget continue, the General Assembly s Progressive Caucus is putting pressure on Democratic leaders to include more revenue they say will be needed once federal COVID-19 relief funds run out.
Several members of the group appeared Friday at a news conference organized by the coalition Recovery For All CT, saying they believe the state needs to think long-term about addressing inequalities in education, health care, housing, local aid and workforce development.
Members of the statewide coalition of nearly 50 labor, community and faith organizations said they want lawmakers to extend their focus beyond the historic $2.6 billion in state recovery funds and other federal aid that is plugging holes in the next two-year budget.
Tax break for CT s working poor gains strong support in budget talks
Keith M. Phaneuf, CTMirror.org
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Sean ScanlonArnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media
While taxes remain a volatile part of state budget negotiations, one top priority for progressive lawmakers an income tax break aimed at Connecticut’s working poor seems to have a reserved spot in the next two-year state budget.
And while full details about Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit were unavailable late Thursday, social service advocates released new data showing most beneficiaries would be workers who kept vital services open during the coronavirus pandemic.
“These are the kind of people who worked three jobs during COVID,” said Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, who co-chairs the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.
Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, in 2018. Scanlon supports an income tax break for Connecticut’s working poor.
While taxes remain a volatile part of state budget negotiations, one top priority for progressive lawmakers an income tax break aimed at Connecticut’s working poor seems to have a reserved spot in the next two-year state budget.
And while full details about Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit were unavailable late Thursday, social service advocates released new data showing most beneficiaries would be workers who kept vital services open during the coronavirus pandemic.
“These are the kind of people who worked three jobs during COVID,” said Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, who co-chairs the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.