State budget numbers look good into the future
News and notes from around the State Capitol
News and notes from around the State
- The Connecticut Mirror’s Keith Phaneuf has a story this week that caught our eye about the state’s ability to withstand a potential recession that might hit the state.
- Phaneuf examines in detail a recent report issued by the Office of Fiscal Analysis that shows that, despite no more Federal COVID related relief funds coming to the state, Connecticut state government should see continued surpluses for the next couple of 2-year budget cycles.
- The ability to withstand downturns is extraordinary by CT standards. But it also raises some questions about use of the surplus funds now.
- While we are extremely pleased to see OFA projects a rosy future, we hope that the Legislature can find some way to help businesses and consumers by lowering taxes.
- That can take place in the form of eliminating the corporate surcharge that is in place or a host of other taxes that are in place.
- Projected surpluses in state government should mean that tax INCREASES are off the table, but it shouldn’t shut off discussion of tax DECREASES.
- We urge you to review the Phaneuf story and analysis yourself by going here.
News and notes from around the State Capitol
- A follow-up on a couple of stories from last week’s FF that we wanted to share.
- State Representative Maryam Khan, who was attacked outside her place of worship last week, has criticism of the Hartford Police Department’s response to the incident. You can go here to read that.
- Another follow-up from last week: Former US Senator Chris Dodd and Governor Ned Lamont will both eulogize former Governor Weicker at services set for Monday of next week. Mark Pazniokas from the CT Mirror has more on that.
- Our friend Hugh McQuaid from the CT News Junkie has a good look at why the CT diesel tax has hit a pause. His story is here.
- Connecticut has joined Maine and Colorado in a growing group of states moving to block utilities from using ratepayer dollars to delay climate action. That story from CTNewsJunkie here.
- The State of Connecticut ended the fiscal year with a nearly $746 million surplus, a decrease of $854 million from last month, according to state Comptroller Sean Scanlon. CTNewsJunkie has all the numbers here.
News and Notes from around the state
- Connecticut’s “Summer at the Museum” program is back for its third year. The program, which offers free admission for children aged 18 and under, along with one accompanying adult, to over 120 participating museums across the state, is set to run from July 1 to September 4, 2023. Details from CTNewsJunkie here.
- AdvanceCT, the state’s nonprofit business support and recruitment arm, announced a leadership change for later this year, with current President John Bourdeaux taking over for CEO Peter Denious. Hartford Business Journal reports on the change here.
- Connecticut residents have the fourth most expensive overall energy bills in the country, with total energy costs of $593 per month, according to a new study. New Haven Register has that news here.
- A recent survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the majority of employees (69%) are doing “some or all” of their work at their workplace, while 34% of workers are continuing to perform at least some of their work functions from home. HBJ has the data here.
- New London is the third most affordable beach town in the United States, according to Realtor.com. Hartford Business Journal reports on the national survey here.
- Postage rates are going up this weekend. Fairfield County Business Journal reports on the new rates nationwide here.