Governor Ned Lamont announced on May 2 that the fiscal year 2027 budget adjustment bill, developed in collaboration with legislative leaders and currently under consideration by the Connecticut General Assembly, aims to strengthen education, housing, transportation, and municipal support while maintaining critical services across the state.
Lamont said the proposed budget seeks to make Connecticut more affordable for working and middle-class families. He stated, “This budget delivers a strong, responsible path forward, one that makes Connecticut more affordable while keeping our state on solid fiscal footing.” He added that the proposal reflects input from residents, businesses, and municipal leaders and includes historic investments in early childhood education as well as significant support for cities and towns.
The budget outlines increased funding of $193 million in supplemental education grants for municipalities. It also provides $12 million for universal free school breakfast programs benefiting all students statewide. Other educational initiatives include expanded mental health supports in schools and a new teacher apprenticeship program. Early childhood education would see an investment of approximately $300 million through an endowment intended to expand access to programs for thousands of children.
Additional measures include over $100 million in one-time financial assistance to towns aimed at lowering property taxes. The plan proposes making more than $1 billion in additional pension payments each year over two years—expected to save about $100 million annually over the next quarter-century. Investments are also targeted toward public health initiatives such as free flu vaccines for uninsured adults and expanding behavioral health services.
Other provisions cover higher education funding alternatives following federal loan changes; increased operating support for housing efforts; expanded public transportation benefits including free bus passes for veterans; modernization of police equipment; improved inmate medical care coordination; tax credits supporting caregivers and research industries; cannabis tax modifications; elimination of taxes on school supplies; expansion of Sales Tax-Free Week eligibility; continued prudent management under volatility cap rules with extraordinary revenues directed toward schools, municipalities, Medicaid deficiencies, and federal response reserves.
Concluding his remarks on the legislation’s broader impact, Lamont said: “This is a budget that provides immediate relief for families and positions our state for long-term growth, and I urge the legislature to support it.”
