Budget recommendations released and it's Work Zone Awareness Week

April 24, 2025


 


After months of work here in Hartford the Legislature’s Appropriations and Finance committees have released their budget recommendations.

The $49.3 billion biennial state General Fund Budget Appropriations plan invests in local schools, higher education, nonprofits, criminal justice, libraries, veterans, seniors, and more.  The Finance committee introduced a proposed plan that includes a middle class tax cut with a $150-per-child tax credit, $450 maximum per household, for single parents earning up to $100,000 per year and couples earning up to $200,000. 
 
Additionally, a temporary 1.75% surcharge on the capital gains earnings of individuals whose overall income exceeds $1 million and on couples topping $2 million was proposed. The surcharge would include a one-time exception for the sale of residential and business property. 
 
Notably, in response to the public outcry to lower electric bills, specifically the public benefits charge, the Finance committee advanced a borrowing plan that would remove the public benefits charge for three years, cutting bills by an average of 20%. 
 
On the Appropriations side, the Democrats' budget varies from Governor Lamont's in several respects, including: 

  • More funding for higher education, scholarships and student loan forgiveness
  • More for special education funding for K-12 schools
  • Nearly 20 million for non-profits providing state services
  • Increased funding for the state Dept. of Correction and the Division of Criminal Justice
  • Restores funding for various arts, culture, and tourism grants
  • Maintains $2 million in funding for CT Grown for CT Kids
  • Maintains $1 million in funding for fish hatcheries
  • Funding for Dept. of Veterans' Affairs advocacy and assistance and programs for the Fall Prevention Program in the state Dept. of Aging
  • Maintains $500,000 funding in both FY 26 and FY 27 for early literacy programs via the state library
  • 53 new employees in the Public Defender's Office
  • 13 new employees in the Secretary of State's office

The Appropriations Committee and the governor's budgets will now form the basis for budget negotiations between the Executive and Legislative branches over the next six weeks before the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn for the year on Wednesday, June 4th.
 

Cherry Blossoms

Downtown Branford is really beautiful this time of year. With the Cherry trees blooming brightly and our upcoming warm days, I hope you will take some time to enjoy the sights and smells of the season.
 

FreeThink Technologies

I attended the new home of FreeThink Technologies which employs about 40 workers here in Branford. Their research lab specializes in stability software and they conduct experimental work to help companies throughout the world. They work with businesses to develop formulations, establish analytical methods, test shelf life, and packaging. A private company, FreeThink is very excited about the investments and upgrades to their new building.  I had an enjoyable tour of the space and good conversations with employees.  Congratulations to everyone!
 

April 21-25: Work Zone
Awareness Week

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week, which honors the workers and professionals who help keep construction zones safe, including highway crews, public works, utility companies, contractors, and law enforcement.  Motorists in Connecticut are urged to take an active role in protecting roadway workers and drivers.  

Work zone crashes remain a major safety issue in Connecticut and nationwide. According to data from the Connecticut Crash Data Repository at UConn, between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, there were more than 2,000 crashes and six fatalities in Connecticut work zones. Nationally in 2022, the most recent year of verifiable data, there were 891 work zone fatalities.

In 2023, during Connecticut’s one-year pilot program for work zone speed safety cameras, nearly 25,000 motorists received written warnings for exceeding speed limits by 15 miles per hour or more in designated work zones. A permanent work zone camera program is expected to launch again in this year.

Click here for up-to-date information, safety tips, and news regarding work zone safety.
 

Community Events

Join me at the Short Beach Earth Day clean-up at Pardee Park on April 26th at 8:30 A.M.  Bags gloves and trash pickers will be available.  Pardee Park will act as a starting and ending point and the clean up can happen anywhere within the Short Beach area. 

Let's protect our waterways habitats and wildlife and keep our land healthy by coming together to clean up Short Beach!  I hope to see you on Saturday! 
 

On Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 P.M, the Branford Land Trust and Shore Line Trolley Museum will be hosting a Signs of Spring Walk at Beacon Hill Preserve.  This hike will explore Beacon Hill, a scenic Branford Land Trust property with 100-ft high traprock ridges overlooking the Farm River marshes and Long Island Sound. These sunny ridges support many different spring-blooming wildflowers, making it a perfect springtime walk.

The meeting spot will be at the parking lot of the Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River Street, East Haven. From there, you will ride the trolley about one mile down the tracks along the East Haven Marsh Wildlife Area. The hike begins with a walk along the beautiful Farm River marsh, then up a steep incline to the forested traprock ridge to enjoy a picturesque overlook of Long Island Sound. The hike will continue along the ridgeline, down the slope and back to the Shore Line Trolley Museum parking lot, for a total of approximately 1.5 miles.
 
The event is free and open to the public. Duration: 2-3 hours. Families are welcome, but no dogs, please. Please wear appropriate clothes and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Expect moderate terrain, with rocky underfooting, and some steep declines and inclines. Some muddy spots are expected. Bring water. Walking sticks are welcome.
 

The Soundview Family YMCA (628 East Main Street) is hosting their annual Healthy Kids Day® on Saturday, April 26th from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M..

This annual event is free and open to the public and features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season.  Some of the activities include: Kids Zumba, Arts & Crafts, STEM activities, Archery and more!
 

Bring your broken items to Repair Cafe-Branford on Saturday, April 26th from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Branford Community House (46 Church Street).  No appointment necessary and repairs are free of charge.
 

Saturday, April 26th from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. is DEA National RX Take Back Day. If you have unused, unwanted, and/or expired OTC and/or prescription medicine in your cabinets, now is a great time to safely dispose of them. Many police departments already have permanent medication drop boxes in their building, but DEA Take Back Day is a great day to dispose of these meds, too.

Click here to find a location nearest to you.
 

Every Wednesday in May starting May 7th from 12:00 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. via zoom join Connecticut Family Support Network (CTFSN) for a workshop series for parents and caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities.  Click on the image below to register.