I was happy to vote today in the legislature's Education Committee for legislation to increase education funding to cities and towns by $198 million. In addition to this, the legislature's Appropriation Committee is working on a budget that restores funding for property tax relief grants to cities and towns that Gov. Rell proposed to cut. Together, the total funding for education and property tax relief is expected to be $36 million more than Gov. Rell's budget proposal.
The legislation I voted for today would increase New Britain's state education funding by $7.5 million for the upcoming budget year and increases Newington's funding by $2 million.
This increased funding is set-up to both support our local schools and help keep property taxes down. Of the funding provided to New Britain in the coming budget year, at least $4.4 million will go to the schools and $3.1 million will be made available for property tax relief. The full budget plan is still taking shape, but, since the Appropriations Committee is expected to at least restore the $1.2 million in property tax relief funding for New Britain that Gov. Rell proposed cutting, there could potentially be more than $4.3 million made for property tax relief in the coming budget year. If we win this increase, it could enough to be equivalent to about about 2 mills less in property taxes.
For Newington, the legislation voted today would increase funding for the schools by at least $825,000 and makes almost $1.2 million available for property tax relief.
In addition to this, the Education Committee has approved new special education funding legislation that would increase the amount of money the state provides for kids who need special education services.
The Committee also approved the Safe Schools legislation proposed by Sen. Donald Williams. Especially important for New Britain, the legislation provides higher funding for districts with greater need.
The working in the Education Committee is just a step in the process, but, as opposed to other years, it looks like the bold education funding plans approved in the Committee are likely to make it into the State Budget plan that will be approved in the budget-writing Appropriations Committee. There is a lot of work ahead, but things look good far.
The legislation I voted for today would increase New Britain's state education funding by $7.5 million for the upcoming budget year and increases Newington's funding by $2 million.
This increased funding is set-up to both support our local schools and help keep property taxes down. Of the funding provided to New Britain in the coming budget year, at least $4.4 million will go to the schools and $3.1 million will be made available for property tax relief. The full budget plan is still taking shape, but, since the Appropriations Committee is expected to at least restore the $1.2 million in property tax relief funding for New Britain that Gov. Rell proposed cutting, there could potentially be more than $4.3 million made for property tax relief in the coming budget year. If we win this increase, it could enough to be equivalent to about about 2 mills less in property taxes.
For Newington, the legislation voted today would increase funding for the schools by at least $825,000 and makes almost $1.2 million available for property tax relief.
In addition to this, the Education Committee has approved new special education funding legislation that would increase the amount of money the state provides for kids who need special education services.
The Committee also approved the Safe Schools legislation proposed by Sen. Donald Williams. Especially important for New Britain, the legislation provides higher funding for districts with greater need.
The working in the Education Committee is just a step in the process, but, as opposed to other years, it looks like the bold education funding plans approved in the Committee are likely to make it into the State Budget plan that will be approved in the budget-writing Appropriations Committee. There is a lot of work ahead, but things look good far.
