Steven Stafstrom

As a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, I attended one of the most encouraging meetings I have sat through during in my time in the legislature. The Office of Policy and Management noted that because of structural changes we have made over the last few years, 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 providing tax relief and investments in childcare, mental health, higher education, and workforce training, improving the quality of life for all residents. 

Connecticut’s finances are on the right track and our economic outlook is improving rapidly. We must remain cautious and disciplined 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.