Improving Fiscal Outlook for CT

fiscal
December 9, 2022
Last weekend I got to participate in one of my favorite winter events in Orange, the lighted tractor parade!

As it is every year, the parade was an absolute delight to watch and I was thrilled to ride along for the first time, as you can see from my very happy video below filmed as we were getting ready to start!

Hopefully you got to head out and catch the parade and the festivities, but if not you can watch it by clicking the button below:

Thank you to friend and former OBOE colleague, Jeff Cap, for capturing this wonderful event!
Watch the Tractor Parade
 
Winter Festivities

Don't forget to support our small businesses this holiday season!

 
Improving Fiscal Outlook for Connecticut

I am pleased to report that responsible budgeting and major structural changes made to pension and teachers' retirements plans are putting Connecticut on much more solid fiscal ground and saving taxpayers billions in debt payments.

The Office of Policy and Management noted the teachers' retirement unfunded liability has been reduced by a billion dollars in the last year. Combined with other recent deposits, the state will save $9.4 billion over the next 25 years.
Millions of dollars that would have otherwise gone to debt payments can be freed up to continue investments in childcare, mental health, higher education, and workforce training, improving the quality of life for all residents.
CT Insider Article
While our fiscal outlook is good, we remain cautious, and will continue a disciplined approach in our budgeting.
 
I will continue working with my colleagues to help make sure we set realistic expectations for our revenue and spending policies to keep our state moving in the right direction.
 
NVCOG Needs Your Input
The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) is writing its first Regional Plan of Conservation and Development (RPCOD) and needs your input to identify what issues are most important to the region’s future development.

The survey will remain open through January 31, 2023, and can be accessed in both English and Spanish by clicking the buttons below:
English: Survey
Spanish: Survey
 
Upcoming Roadwork Virtual Meeting
This is a reminder that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will hold a Virtual Public Information Meeting on Thursday, December 15 at 7PM, concerning the proposed installation of an operational lane (two-way left-turn lane) on Route 1 in Orange:
 
Aid for Ukraine
As we continue to watch the horrifying and saddening conflict between Russia and Ukraine, I wanted to remind you all that we do not have to sit back helplessly, there are ways we can offer aid and support to the innocent citizens of Ukraine.

Fellow community member, Olena Lennon, provided us with this list of legitimate donation sites for aid to the Ukrainian community.

Click here to help volunteer to help Ukraine.

Click here to learn more about projects helping Ukraine.

Click here to support funding to cover administrative costs to help Ukraine.

Click here to learn how to help Ukrainians.

Our community, state and country all stand with the innocent citizens of Ukraine and we will continue to do all we can to offer support while actively trying to deescalate conflict.