Gregg Haddad

The Appropriations Committee last Wednesday released its proposed two-year state budget for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. House Bill 6439 was the subject of numerous public hearings allowing for comment from the public, state agencies, non-profits and other stakeholders.

The numbers bode well for Mansfield. The proposed state funding for FY 2022 is $4,707,260 and $4,618,853 for FY 2023 represents an extra $4.7 million increase in the first year of the two-year budget and a $4.6 million boost in the second year.

The proposed Appropriations budget will serve as the basis for negotiations on a final product between legislative leaders, Governor Lamont and the executive branch.

This budget includes funding for Connecticut's towns, schools, nonprofits as well as social safety net programs and addresses social equity concerns without exceeding the state spending cap or tapping into the $3.5 billion Rainy Day Fund.

I am especially pleased with the $6,000,000 allocation in both fiscal years for debt free community college. These funds will assure a free education for first-time, full-time community college students and is long overdue. The Appropriations budget plan is even better with $14 million in FY 2022 and $15 million in FY 2023 for debt free community college students.

More students will have the opportunity for a college education under this debt free plan – allowing them to get an education they might not otherwise be able to afford.

The budget still needs to be finalized in negotiations with the Governor and passed by both legislative chambers.