Legislative Update
I am working to help make Connecticut more affordable; historic income tax cuts for low- and middle-income people and families; earned Income Tax Credit increase for low-income workers; and expansion of existing tax exemptions on pension and retirement funds for seniors.
In 2023, the Legislature unanimously renewed revenue and spending caps, supported by the Governor and the Comptroller, to keep state finances on an even keel without over-relying on taxes to pay for things. The state paid down billions of the state’s $80 billion unfunded liabilities and debt. Interest payments saved are used to fund things like public education.
This year, I fought to keep the responsible and balanced state budget within the spending cap. However, increased costs of expanded Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrants and major budget adjustments this year create at least an estimated $700 million deficit for next year. I am very concerned that you will pay for it through higher taxes and/or cuts to towns. This is unaffordable and unresponsible. I voted against it. I supported a separate proposal to keep necessary items funded, increase support for non-profits and towns, and keep the budget balanced.
Last year, I worked to stop state education cuts to our towns: $2.6 million in the 35th District and $121,000 for Eastford. I also worked to increase public education funding by about $200 million. This year, I defended these funds and worked to reform the ECS formula. A 2024 proposal to provide $80 million to help towns like Eastford pay for increasing special education costs was not taken up by the majority party. I am working with others to find a way to pay these costs without making towns raise property taxes to do so.
On July 1, electricity rates increased. Although the supply part of your bill dropped around $40/month for average electricity use (around $440 cumulative savings total), state mandated public benefits charges hiked your bill by around $48/month (around $528 tax you must pay). So, your bill will rise around $8/month. Actions by the Legislature in 2017 before I joined the Senate subsidized the Millstone nuclear power plant. The Governor issued a pandemic executive order to stop electricity shut offs for unpaid bills. You pay for these. I supported using federal ARPA money to pay these costs. I supported having public benefits mandates put in the state budget, which would save you around $210/year. But these proposals were not taken up by the majority party. I have supported meaningful laws last year and this year to enhance the state’s regulatory authority of utilities’ performance and review of rate hikes, and to secure long-term electricity purchasing agreements to lessen costs to rate payers.
In future updates I can let you know more about what is going on. I am out and about all towns in the Senate District (including Eastford). I hold office hours in person and virtually. Reach out to me any time. I look forward to hearing from you. Visit ctsenaterepublicans.com/home-gordon/, call my office at (800) 842-1421, e-mail me at [email protected], or visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/senatorjeffgordon.