Kate Farrar

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 and HEALTH

• 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.


Both West Hartford and Newington have been awarded a significant amount of state aid and special education funding over the next two years.

Every Connecticut family deserves affordable, high-quality childcare. With the passage of House Priority Bill 5003 and Senate Bill 1, transformative legislation is set to become reality by expanding access, supporting educators, and invest in a stronger future for our children and our economy. These smart, sustainable investments position Connecticut to lead the nation in delivering affordable, high-quality childcare and establishing universal Pre-K by 2032. 

All session, I was proud to lead these bills and work with the Governor's Office and Senate to get them over the finish line. 

The bills:
 
Provide a Sustainable Investment

• Fund the Early Childhood Education Endowment to invest in childcare now and in the future

Lower Costs and Increase Access

• Childcare and Pre-K will be free for families in state-funded programs earning up to $100,000 and families making over $100,000 will pay no more than 7% of income
• Add 16,000 new childcare and Pre-K slots across the state
• Create an online portal to help families find and enroll in programs

Attract and Retain Early Childhood Educators

• Pay qualified educators on par with public school teachers
• Provide funding for health insurance coverage for educators   

This legislation delivers lasting solutions for families, educators, and the economy. Together, these measures provide relief for families, bolster recruitment and retention of childcare educators, and invest in the construction and renovation of early learning facilities. These bills represent a transformational step forward in Connecticut’s commitment to children and their future. 

House Democrats passed two Transportation bills this past weekend as well 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
• 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

The House and Senate also took bold, bipartisan action to lower electric bills—passing a comprehensive energy reform bill with more than $780 million in savings for ratepayers.

The legislation will: 

Lower Bills:

• Pay Down COVID-era Electric Debt
• Cut Charges for Solar, EVs & Fuel Cells
• Set up smarter Energy Purchasing to Lock in Savings
• Smoothing $1.2B Storm Costs to Avoid Rate Spikes

Smarter Grid:

• Require Cost-Saving Tech Reviews Before Costly Grid Projects
• Improve Planning to Avoid Wasteful “Gold-Plated” Upgrades

 Stronger Future for CT Families:

• Support Advanced Nuclear & Geothermal
• Incentivize Grid Efficiency
• Expand DEEP’s Clean Energy Planning Authority

By easing costs on consumers, modernizing the grid, and investing in clean energy, we are powering a more affordable, reliable, and accountable energy future for all.

Highlighted below is a summary of a few other bills that I supported and that passed this week:

• SB 8: AN ACT CONCERNING PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS AND ENHANCEMENTS TO WORKERS' RIGHTS
• HB 6932: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATE INTERPRETING STANDARDS BOARD
• SB 1542: AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF HANDCUFFS ON YOUNG CHILDREN
• SB 1450: AN ACT CONCERNING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE
• HB 6951: AN ACT CONCERNING CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
• HB 7191: AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID RATE INCREASES, PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY
• SB 10: AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE AND PATIENT PROTECTION

To read the full list of bills, please visit: cga.ct.gov/2025/lbp/lobp.pdf