Bob Godfrey

 

 

 

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Dear Neighbor,

Saturday’s session was very productive. The House of Representatives passed this year’s adjustments to our budget. First and foremost is the funding for the city of Danbury, my hometown, that will deliver the service you expect, especially in public education, and help keep property taxes low. A tip of the hat not only to my colleagues but also to Mayor Roberto Alves who has been a very strong advocate for our city.
 
It is also a great budget for our state, and for our working families:

Keeping Elections Safe, Secure, and Convenient

 It is our constitutional responsibility to ensure your right to vote. I take that very seriously, and voted to provide the resources needed to protect those who work on our elections and protect your right.

• Provides $3.25 million in for early voting and voter information campaigns. (Citizens Election Fund)
• Allocates funds for new universal no-excuse absentee voting

Human Services

• Maintains the Community First Choice Program ($9.2 million) after public testimony in strong support of this home-based healthcare program.
• Increases funding to raise Medicaid provider rates (FY26 $45 million, FY27 $30 million) to meet their rising costs of services.
• Includes additional investment in Senior Support Services
  • Elderly Nutrition $157,000
  • 5 new AAA service navigators $500,000
  • Senior Center Coordinator, $100,000
• Addresses ongoing child welfare issues with comprehensive DCF reforms.
  • $1million for foster family rate increases

Regulation and Protection

• Invests in our law enforcement with $10 million pledged for equipment upgrades
• Increases support to our state fire training schools
• Assists our first responders and National Guard service members receive a higher education

Conservation and Development

• As financial markets and technological upheavals challenge our workforce, we have invested millions into workforce development and technical training
  • Manufacturing Pipeline, $2 million
  • Youth Employment Program, $250,000
  • Workforce Navigators, $450,000
  • CNA training program grants, $100,000
• Creates new Various Grants line in each agency to better track legislative grants and ensures timely execution of these grants
• Increases tourism grants to support America 250 and stimulate consumer spending in Connecticut

Elementary and Secondary Education

• $12 million to expand free school breakfasts across the state
• Millions in different learning initiatives, including for reading, teacher trainings, and more
• Expands the Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program
• Increases supplemental education funding to cities and towns
• Deposits $300 million into the Early Childhood Endowment to support free or significantly reduced childcare programming to debut in 2027

 
I was pleased to see the overwhelming vote for this budget, 127-21, substantially bipartisan.
 
You can find more information on our website, cga.ct.gov.
 
If you have any questions about the budget or any other issue coming before us, don’t hesitate to contact me.

If you or someone you know requires assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at the Capitol at 1-800-842-1902 or email me at Bob.Godfrey@cga.ct.gov.

Sincerely,


Bob Godfrey

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