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| Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of November 17.
If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the play button to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter. |
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As I’ve been at the 2023 NCSL Fiscal Institute Symposium this week, which has packed my schedule, my usual intro is just in video form this week, so please give it a listen!
Next week is Thanksgiving, so I will likely give the newsletter a break, and return to you the following week. Safe travels to those of you who are traveling (which includes my family this year) and I wish you a warm and happy holiday!
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Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- November 2023 Consensus Revenue Forecast Released. Click here.
- Connecticut Repays Pandemic Related Unemployment Debt. Click here.
- CT Supports Strong Business. Click here.
- Unemployment Insurance Seminar for Employers. Click here.
- Geer Senior Living Named Community Star by CT Office of Rural Health. Click here.
- Upcoming Events. Click here.
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November 2023 consensus revenue forecast was released earlier this week.
According to this consensus revenue forecast, projected revenues have been revised downward by a net $57.1 million from the Office of Policy and Management’s October 20 letter to the comptroller. Relative to the adopted budget, revenues are up $24.4 million. The Office of Policy and Management still anticipates ending fiscal year 2024 with a surplus. The largest change is in the estimates and finals component of the personal income tax, which is down $150 million as the trend in estimated payments portends a weaker than anticipated fourth estimated payment due on January 15, 2024. Revenue from the pass-through entity tax has been revised downward by $54.7 million for the same reason as estimates and finals. The sales and use tax is being revised downward by $125 million as collections slowed toward the end of fiscal year 2023, necessitating a downward adjustment to fiscal year 2024 projections. Relative to the adopted budget, revenues are up $24.4 million.
Federal grants have been revised upward by $138.5 million, due largely to the final reconciliation of federal funds received to those earned for medical services during the second half of fiscal year 2023. Investment income has been revised upward by $60 million as rising interest rates and greater assets under state management boost collections. Given the projected changes in estimates and finals and the pass-through entity tax, the transfer to the budget reserve fund pursuant to the volatility cap is anticipated to be $478.5 million, of which half will be transferred to pay down pension liabilities and the remainder used to increase the budget reserve fund. The special transportation fund revenues have been revised downward by $11.5 million. The largest change is in the highway use tax, which is down $25 million to reflect current trends in collections. Interest income has been revised upward by $8.2 million to reflect higher interest earnings in the fund. Link to forecast
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The State of Connecticut has repaid the $1.2 billion Trust Fund loan that was used to cover nearly $11 billion in pandemic unemployment payments. The pandemic debt retirement ensures that Connecticut employers will avoid an increase in the federal unemployment taxes they pay beginning January 1, 2024.
Over the past two years, Governor Lamont and the Connecticut General Assembly directed $195 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into the Unemployment Trust Fund and special assessments to mitigate the ongoing financial damage employers faced as a result of the pandemic.
The Unemployment Trust Fund, administered by the Connecticut Department of Labor, is the designated account from which all unemployment benefits are paid. It is funded solely through employer quarterly taxes. When the Trust Fund has insufficient funding to pay unemployment benefits, states borrow from the federal government. The federal government may raise employer taxes for every year they hold the debt; additionally, employers are required to pay an annual special assessment each September to cover the interest payments for the borrowing.
While Connecticut will borrow from the federal government for the Trust Fund over the next couple of years, Trust Fund solvency will be achieved in the future through a series of reforms proposed by Governor Lamont and unanimously enacted by the legislature in 2021 and 2022. Solvency, currently calculated at $1.7 billion in Connecticut, represents the Trust Fund balance that would prevent the need for borrowing should the state sustain recessionary unemployment levels for one year and receive zero Fund revenue. Updated 2024 Trust Fund solvency calculations are expected in December. |
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Thanks to our strong, fiscally responsible policies at the state level:
- Our bond ratings are stellar.
- Job growth numbers keep improving.
- We have cut billions in unfunded pension debts from our balance sheets.
- We paid back the pandemic-era Unemployment Trust Fund loan, which is great news for local businesses.
This proactive repayment of the Unemployment Trust loan sends a strong message that Connecticut is open for business.
Click here to learn more. |
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CTDOL Commissioner Bartolomeo announced this week that they are hosting an educational seminar “Unemployment Insurance 101 for Employers” on Thursday, December 14th at 10 am. This virtual and free seminar welcomes business owners and managers, human resource professionals, supervisors, benefits managers, and any other employers interested in learning about the Unemployment Insurance process. Topics will include:
- Background of the UI system
- Claims filing in CT
- Eligibility determinations
- Employer charging
- Overview of eligibility regulations
- Employers' obligations Click here to register
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The Connecticut Office of Rural Health is proud to join communities across the state and the country in celebration of National Rural Health Day (NRHD) yesterday. The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) sets aside the third Thursday of November to recognize NRHD. This annual event is an opportunity to celebrate the “Power of Rural” and honor the individuals and organizations dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of people living in rural communities. This year, the Office of Rural Health is honoring Geer Senior Living Community as Connecticut's 2023 Community Star. Geer offers care across the aging spectrum, and provides independent, assisted, and skilled living facilities, low-income senior housing, and transportation to the community, as the area Dial-A-Ride provider and operator of GoGeer, the on-demand transportation service.
Congratulations to Geer as this year’s Community Star, a well-deserved honor!
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Festival of Trees at Gunn Memorial Library on December 2:
Gunn Memorial Library will hold its annual Festival of Trees on Saturday, December 2 from 5-7pm
Held annually in December, this festive, seasonal, community event is popular and well attended as we gather to launch the holiday season. At the event, the Library’s tree will be decked with Treasure Pouches for sale, each containing a slip of paper bestowing a mystery gift. These gifts are items donated by generous local boutiques and businesses, and traditionally include dinners at restaurants, theater tickets, gift certificates, and more. The proceeds help fund the many services that benefit the library’s patrons – community members from surrounding towns as well as Washington.
For questions about the event, contact amaclaren@gunnlibrary.org or development@gunnlibrary.org
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| Noble Horizons Festival of Trees continues through December 3 |
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| Region 20 High School will hold an in-person public vote December 14, 2023 to determine the name for its high school. It is down to two names – Lakeview High School and Western Hills High School. The meeting will convene at 7:00pm at Litchfield Intermediate School – 362-368 Maple St., Litchfield, CT 06759 – and voting is open to all community members in attendance. |
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Crescendo presents Carols for the Earth on December 16 and 17
Crescendo is excited to follow up on the success of the 20th anniversary concert with Carols for the Earth on December 16 and 17 at 4pm. The concert will present a mixture of old and new holiday music, from both Christian and Jewish traditions, with an earth-conscious message.
Please visit Crescendo’s website, www.crescendomusic.org, for online ticket purchases, more details, and other season concerts, or call 860.435.4866. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door 45 minutes before each performance.
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Regional Holiday Markets
Many of the towns in the Northwest Corner hold holiday markets, and here are a few suggestions, highlighted in this CT Insider article.
Kent Barns Holiday Market
When: Nov. 25 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Location: 10 N Main St., Kent
Various handmade artisanal crafts will be for sale at the Gallery above House of Books on Kent’s Main St. on Nov. 25.
Salisbury Artisan Group’s Holiday Market
When: Nov. 25 and Dec. 16 Location: White Hart Inn, 15 Under Mountain Road, Salisbury
The Salisbury Artisan Group’s Holiday Market will take place at the White Hart on Nov. 25 and Dec. 16. Attendees can expect handmade crafts and artisanal goods.
Institute for American Indian Studies Holiday Market
When: Nov. 25 - 26, Dec. 2-3 and 9-10. Location: 38 Curtis Road, Washington
The Institute of American Indian Studies Holiday market celebrates contemporary Native American art and cultures. Guests can purchase items such as gourds, pottery, jewelry, rattles, artworks and flutes, to name a few.
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| December 1 at 7:30pm: Our Pandemic Future in a Rapidly Changing World -- sponsored by the Salisbury Forum. This event will take place at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Dr. James Shepherd, a faculty physician at Yale University, will lead a forum on how the world must confront infectious diseases in the 21st century. Dr. Shepherd has spent the last two decades as an infectious disease specialist, including in Africa and India treating HIV and TB, and managing public health systems and disease outbreaks. He is also a farmer in Sharon, growing hops for local brewers and raising cows and sheep. With his broad experience as a doctor and a farmer, Dr. Shepherd provides a unique perspective on epidemics, the changing environment, and the place of our species among the community of animals, plants, and pathogens. For more information click here. |
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Sundays and More at Hotchkiss
Hotchkiss students will make Sunday your favorite day of the week! 3rd-8th graders can begin their Sundays at Hotchkiss' popular Coding Boot Camp from 10-11 am where they'll learn Scratch, Java, Python, explore AI and more.
Children 8-12 years old can then dash to a Basketball clinic on Sunday, November 12 and an Ice Hockey clinic on December 3, 11 am-noon. After the holidays, ultimate frisbee, soccer, and swimming will be offered.
On Sundays from 1-2 pm, Hotchkiss students of color are hosting a mentorship program for local students of color. Together they will enjoy sports, games, and other adventures on the Hotchkis campus.
Finally, for those 16 and older, Hotchkiss students invite you to kick off your holiday season with the greatest gift of all: the gift of life! To celebrate the season of giving please make an appointment to donate at the Red Cross Blood Drive on November 14, from 1:00-5:45 pm. The drive takes place in the school's main building and will feature Deano's and Mizza's pizza, refreshing beverages, and delectable homemade goodies. Blood donations save lives every two seconds; please save a life and donate. Thank you!
For more information about any program, including weekly tutoring and reading sessions for children of all ages, please email clburchf@hotchkiss.org. |
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| Salisbury Affordable Housing Exhibit
The Salisbury Association is currently running an exhibit on affordable housing co-designed by the Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission, the Salisbury Housing Committee, and the Salisbury Housing Trust. Visit the exhibit at the Academy Building to learn more about what affordable housing is, why we need more of it, and the organizations creating housing solutions for Salisbury residents. Visitors will also get a preview of future affordable housing projects and will learn more about how to get involved in this movement. The exhibit will run through November 30. |
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| It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.
Click here to forward to forward this email to a friend. |
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| Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative |
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