How the Democratic State Budget helps New Britain.

There is a lot of talk right now about the exciting things included in the Democratic state budget proposal. I thought it might be helpful to post some information about how this budget would benefit New Britain:

Direct relief to taxpayers...

• The governor's plan raises taxes on most people:
  • Raises middle class income taxes to 5.5%
    
  • Raises taxes another $500 by eliminating the Property Tax Credit

• The Democratic budget helps, instead:

• Cuts income taxes for 90% of people in the state

• Doubles the Property Tax Credit - to $1000, which my very, very preliminary analysis says would bring over $8 million in relief to New Britain taxpayers

• creates an earned income tax credit, which would make more tax relief available to thousands of New Britain families - and bring $2 million into New Britain.

Helping the city to keep taxes lower and fund local services...

• The Democratic budget provides $1.3 more in grants to the city of New Britain than the governor's budget for mill rate relief and education funding. The Democrats' budget makes possible both a lower mill rate and better funding for education than the governor's plan.

• On top of this funding, the Democrats' budget provides more support for priority school districts - like New Britain.
  

And...

• All together, the Democratic budget increases property tax relief funding for New Britain by millions of dollars.

• As I said, the bill increases funding for hospitals and local agencies, like CCARC. It also replaces the $100,000 in funding for the New Britain OIC. The governor proposed cutting this from the budget completely.

• The Democratic provides a new $100,000 appropriation for New Britain arts organizations.
  

More funding for health care...

• A total of $300 million (federal reimbursement estimated at $73 million) has been added to improve the quality and accessibility of health care including;

Democrats' Budget	Governor's Budget
$121.3 million for Medicaid rate increases for hospitals and other providers	$0
$39 million for a 3% COLA for non profit providers	$15 Million for a COLA for certain non profit providers
$34.4 million for increases to the HUSKY program for infants, children and adults	$0
$55 million for increased services for the State General Assistance Program (SAGA)	$0
$20 million for dental care for Children enrolled in the HUSKY program	$0
$7.75 million for a 3% cost of living increase for the Home Care Program	$0

And, here are the proposal for capital projects funding in New Britain in the Democratic budget plan...

• $440,000 in 2008 for replacement of the Brooklawn Street Bridge
• $1,000,000 in 2008 and $1,000,000 in 2009 for property acquisition, design development, and construction of a downtown redevelopment plan
• $500,000 in 2008 for improvements to New Britain Stadium, including a new score board
• $1,500,000 in 2008 for hospital-based emergency service facilities for the Hospital of Central Connecticut
• $1,000,000 in 2008 for building renovations to the Rose Hill Center
• $150,000 in 2008 to purchase a building for creation of a food pantry
• $1,000,000 for improvements to, alterations and construction of, residential facilities at the Klingberg Family Center
• $1,200,000 in 2008 for the Pathways-Senderos Teen Pregnancy Prevention Center to acquire a new facility
• $557,800 in 2008 and $635,700 in 2009 for implementation of a technology plan at Charter Oak State College
• A total of $41,780,000 over two years for Central Connecticut State University for upgrades, renovations, repairs, and construction, including $5,000,000 in 2008 for infrastructure, road, site, and utility improvements to East Campus, and $11,706,000 in 2009 for construction and development of a new classroom and office facility