Democrat Budget Puts People First

June 3, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Tuesday!

With the pace of bills being passed at this point in the session, I will be sending out eblasts more frequently this week to keep you updated on everything we're doing in Hartford. Today, I'll tell you about the state budget we passed late last night and three great bills we passed on Saturday.

You can click on the links below to navigate between sections.
 

Democrat Budget Puts People First

As the CT Mirror’s budget reporter pointed out: “The state House of Representatives adopted a $55.8 billion two-year budget early Tuesday that invests in child care and K-12 education, provides a $250 tax cut to working poor families...”  Tax relief for working families; investing in education and special education; transformative funding for childcare and early childhood education; and standing up for nonprofit service providers are the pillars of the next state budget.

Our budget reflects shared values, marked by historic investments in children through expanded funding for special education and childcare. It strengthens support for working families and ensures that the essential work of nonprofits is both valued and financially supported. These organizations are on the frontlines every day, serving our most vulnerable neighbors. This budget affirms and reinforces their vital role in building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.

This budget stands up for:

HISTORIC NEW FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

  • $40 million for Excess Cost Grant in each of next two years
  • $30 million for Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program
  • $20 million in bonding to expand and upgrade special education facilities
  • $10 million in bonding for capital development
  • $10 million for Governor's Incentive District Grant
  • Hold harmless funding for Education Cost Sharing, so no school district sees a cut

CHILDCARE

  • Investible trust to provide sustainable funding for new childcare programs
  • Funding for direct healthcare of our children through DSS Medicaid

NONPROFIT PROVIDERS

  • Access to better health care and nonprofit community providers
  • $150 million for groups homes and nursing homes
  • More than $60 million in Medicaid rate increases, which will benefit nonprofit providers

TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES

  • Targeted, meaningful relief and long-term support for working families
  • Refundable tax credit of $250 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) framework
  • $500 refundable tax credit for home daycare owners that recognizes and sustains the vital care workforce
  • Tax credit for employers who contribute to their employees' CHET accounts

This is a budget that works for the people — one that safeguards essential services, uplifts communities, and lays the foundation for a future where every resident is supported and protected. 
 

Transformative Childcare Policy

After a 5 hour debate on Saturday, we passed SB 1, the most transformative policy since I’ve been elected. We have created an Early Childcare Endowment to cap families’ childcare costs at 7% of their household income for state funded seats (62k seats growing to 78k slots) and buildout for universal pre-k by 2032. This is a huge step to improving the lives of our state’s children and alleviate the steep financial burden of childcare for CT’s families.

With these smart and sustainable investments, Connecticut can lead the nation in affordable, high-quality childcare.
 

Expanding Services for Veterans

Our veterans deserve more than just our gratitude, they deserve real, accessible support. With bipartisan support, the House of Representatives has passed final portion of the CT Hero Act through House Bill 6438, a crucial step toward strengthening and expanding the services veterans rely on.

 

The CT Hero Act is our commitment to ensuring services for those who’ve served our country. By improving how Connecticut delivers veterans' service, this bill ensures every veteran can access the benefits and support they have earned.

Key provisions of this bill include:  

  • Making it easier for disabled veterans to qualify for state benefits: exempting veteran disability pay as an income requirement for certain state benefits
  • Hiring more state employees to help connect veterans to their benefits: hiring veteran service officers to this Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans in qualifying for the VA disability claims.
  • Guaranteeing free college tuition for disabled veterans: preventing higher ed institutions from charging fees
  • Making it easier for veterans to qualify for free legal service: exempting veteran disability pay from an income requirement when determining access to public defenders.
  • Making it easier for veterans and veteran own businesses to qualify for loans through D.E.C.D.
  • Directing the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to study: claim sharks and the municipal veterans representative program.

This measure reaffirms Connecticut’s commitment to honoring our veterans and standing with those who have served.

Let’s ensure that every Connecticut veteran receives the care, support, and recognition they so rightfully deserve. Our veterans have earned nothing less.
 

Making Transportation Safer in Connecticut

House Democrats also passed two Transportation bills last weekend that reflect Connecticut’s commitment to safer streets, smarter infrastructure, and modernized services.

The provisions in the legislation include:

  • Increasing state funding to our local transit districts, helping local governments apply for federal grants
  • Stronger DUI and BUI (boating) penalty
  • Giving municipalities more tools to make e-bikes and e-scooters safer for minors, including requiring headgear to be worn and making available information on safe usage of these vehicles
  • Improving pedestrian safety in new crosswalks
  • Updating helmet rules on bikes and motorcycles for young people
  • 50% fare discount to seniors, veterans, minors, and the disabled on state-owned buses
  • Creating a “yellow envelope” program to improve interactions between the police and people with disabilities
  • Designating Special Service Road 495 in Meriden as the "Andrew DiDomenico Memorial Highway" and Bridge No. 01241 in Southington as the "State Trooper First Class Aaron M. Pelletier Memorial Bridge"
 

I'm committed to ensuring your voice is heard. Please don't hesitate to call my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me if there's anything I can do for you. Be sure to follow @LeeperForFairfield on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol.


Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative

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