Kara Rochelle

We passed a budget cutting taxes for the middle class and working class, increasing funding for our cities, towns, and schools to historic levels, investing in social services after years of cuts, and helping small businesses that were hit hard by the pandemic. We kept our historic Rainy Day Fund intact at $3.5 billion dollars, and for the first time ever, we are making an over $1 billion contribution to pay down our past pension debt. 

It increases the Earned Income Tax Credit from 23% to 30.5%, putting more money in the pockets of working families, and cuts taxes for seniors. It also invests millions to reduce the cost of childcare for families.

Most importantly, we restructured how we provide municipal aid to ensure that distressed municipalities like Ansonia and Derby are better reimbursed by the state for their non-taxable property - meaning more money for local services and to potentially keep property taxes down.

The state budget gives significant funding boosts to Ansonia and Derby over the next two fiscal years. 

In the 2022 fiscal year (FY 22), which began July 1, 2021, Ansonia will receive a $670,412 increase over the 2021 fiscal year (FY 21). In the 2023 fiscal year (FY 23), Ansonia will receive an increase of $1,180,688 over the 2021 fiscal year.

In FY 22, Derby will see a total increase of $987,843 in state aid from FY 21. In FY 23, Derby will receive an increase of $1,288,388 over FY 21. 

The total state aid for Ansonia and Derby includes additional funding for our schools and Connecticut's Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program. This budget adjusts the state's education funding formula to better serve our students and bring our school districts closer to being fully funded. State education funding for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years breaks down as follows:

This industry is a key component of the Valley's economic resurgence and will help our residents secure financial stability. 

PILOT funding for Ansonia and Derby breaks down as follows:

• $1,227,689 for increased service on the Waterbury Rail Line
• Secured funding for Fire Fighter 1 training for all prospective Ansonia and Derby volunteer firefighters. 
• $75,000 annually awarded to Valley Save Our Youth for Youth Engagement/Youth Violence Prevention
• $50,000 annually awarded to Team, Inc. for Youth Engagement/Youth Violence Prevention

Ansonia and Derby are clear winners in the new state budget. If you have any questions or want to discuss the budget more, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov.

Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.

All my Best,

Kara Rochelle
State Representative