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Connecticut's Emerging State Budget Crisis
The current economic crisis creates challenges for state governments trying to meet their budgets just as it does for families throughout America. Currently, 42 states, including all six New England states and neighboring New York and New Jersey, are facing budget gaps for FY09 (the state fiscal year which in Connecticut runs from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009). As of February 2009, Connecticut's Office of Fiscal Analysis projected state budget deficits of $1.35 billion in FY09, $3.97 billion in FY10, and $4.71 billion in FY11.
With widespread agreement that the next few years will be challenging ones on the state budget front, creative solutions will be needed that preserve the programs and services that make Connecticut a great state in which to raise families. Research undertaken at Connecticut Voices for Children will inform these critical debates. During these challenging times we can make budget choices that make Connecticut stronger and help our families and communities prosper.
CT Voices Briefs and Presentations
Also see State Tax & Budget reports by CT Voices
- Now Is Opportune Time For Connecticut To Adopt A More Progressive Income Tax. Op-ed by Jamey Bell and Douglas Hall, New London Day, May 31, 2009 (PDF)
- Connecticut’s Business Taxes in Context: A Summary of Ernst & Young’s National Survey of State and Local Business Taxation. April 2009 (PDF)
- State Revenue Solutions for Connecticut. Resource page on revenue options. April 2009 (PDF)
- Building a Reliable, Fair and Accountable 21st Century Revenue System. April 2009 (PDF)
- State Budget Challenges Facing the 2009 General Assembly Session. April 2009 (PDF)
- "No Time to Lose: Budget Choices for a Stronger Connecticut." Presentation by Shelley Geballe, Connecticut Voices for Children. March 4, 2009. (PDF)
- Analysis of Governor's Proposed Fiscal Year 2010 Budget
- "Never Waste a Crisis: Options for a Stronger Connecticut". Presentation by Douglas Hall, Connecticut Voices for Children. February 17, 2009. (PDF)
- "Revenue Options for a Stronger Connecticut". Presentation by Douglas Hall, Connecticut Voices for Children. February 6, 2009. (PDF)
- Follow the Money! FY 2009, 2010, 2011…State Fiscal Challenges. Presentation by Shelley Geballe, Connecticut Voices for Children. January 2009. (PDF)
- "Never Waste a Crisis": State Fiscal Challenges and Revenue Options. Presentation by Shelley Geballe and Douglas Hall, Connecticut Voices for Children. December 2008. (PDF)
- Property Tax Cap: The Wrong "Cure" for High Property Taxes. Presentation by Shelley Geballe, Connecticut Voices for Children. November 13, 2008. (PDF)
- "Follow the Money" budget presentation by CT Voices on FY 2009 State Fiscal Challenges. (PDF)
- Public Investment for a Mediocre Future: Where Connecticut Stands On State and Local Revenues Report by CT Voices for Children.
- Is It Raining Yet? The Governor's Rescissions to the FY 09 Budget
Report by CT Voices for Children.
Governor Rell and State Departments
 Executive Order on state operations and Fiscal Year 2010 July Allotment. June 30, 2009- Governor's additional FY2010 - FY2011 budget proposals. May 28, 2009. (PDF)
- CT Department of Developmental Services Pending Changes. May 2009. Summary by Connecticut Family Support Network (PDF)
- Informational Brief on Care4Kids Program Changes. May 15, 2009. CT Dept. of Social Services (PDF)
- Governor's Deficit Mitigation Plan for Fisal Year 2009. February 19, 2009. (PDF)
- Governor's FY2010 - FY2011 Biennium Budget Proposal. February 4, 2009.
- Governor Rell's Deficit Mitigation Plan for FY 2008-2009. December 17, 2008.
- Office of Policy and Management's "Fiscal Accountability of State Government" Presentation to the Appropriations Committee and the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee. November 18, 2008. (PDF)
- Budget deficit estimates from Governor's office
- State Agency Budget Cut Options
State agency proposals to cut funding by 10%, along with a few proposals to expand programs. NOTE: All proposals must still be evaluated by OPM and the Governor and may - or may not -- actually be included in the Governor's proposed biennial budget.
- OPM Secretary Letter to State Agencies. Sept 5, 2008.
Requesting proposed budget reductions of 10%.
- Governor Rell's Online Budget Forum
- Governor Rell's October 21, 2008 Deficit Mitigation Plan. (PDF)
- DSS Commissioner Starkowski's Presentation on State Budget. October 2, 2008.
Presented to the Connecticut Association for Home Care and Hospice.
- Second Round Rescissions Approved by Governor Rell. September 2008.
- DSS Presentation on FY 09 Rescissions, HUSKY, and Charter Oak. July 30, 2008 (PDF)
- OPM Letter to Comptroller Wyman, July 21, 2008 (PDF)
The FY 08 budget is projected to end with a surplus of $22.3 million, in part due to $33.2 million in June spending reductions, and revenues that are higher (and tax refunds that are lower) than were projected last month. In addition, about $150.8 million of FY 08 appropriations "lapsed" June 30. This OPM letter to the Comptroller explains these changes, and lists the agency lapses.
- Testimony on Budget Rescissions
- Governor Rell's First Round of Rescissions for Fiscal 2009. June 24, 2008.
- OPM-Authorized Carry-Forwards from FY 08 to FY 09 (PDF)
Under state law (Conn. Gen. Stat. section 4-89(c)), OPM has some limited legal authority to authorize the carry-forward of unexpended funds from one state fiscal year to the next. This spreadsheet identifies the OPM-authorized carry-forwards from FY 08 to FY 09.
- OPM's May 2008 Notice of the State Hiring Freeze and Associated Guidelines (PDF)
- Office of Policy & Management (OPM) Presentation on Impact of the FY 2009 Budget Rescissions (PowerPoint)
General Assembly (including Office of Fiscal Analysis)
- General Assembly biennium budget bill (approved June 26). Bill text and analysis.
- FY 09 - FY 11 General Fund and Transportation Fund Budget Projections, Office of Fiscal Analysis. May 1, 2009. (PDF)
- Appropriations Committee FY 2010-2011 Budget Proposal. April 2, 2009
- Finance Committee FY 2010-2011 Revenue Proposal. April 2, 2009
- FY 09 - FY 12 General Fund and Transportation Fund Budget Projections, Office of Fiscal Analysis, February 2, 2009 (pdf)
- General Assembly Deficit Mitigation Plan for FY09. Approved January 14, 2009. (See bill analysis for summary.)
- Office of Fiscal Analysis' "Fiscal Forecast Presentation to the Appropriations & Finance Committees". November 18, 2008. (PDF)
- FY 09 - FY 12 General Fund and Transportation Fund Budget Projections and Fiscal Information. Office of Fiscal Analysis. November 14, 2008.
- Office of Fiscal Analysis' Review of Governor Rell's October 21, 2008 Deficit Mitigation Plan. (PDF)
- Republican Budget Briefing. September 25, 2008
- Office of Fiscal Analysis, Budget Book: 2007-2009 Revisions. August 2008 (PDF)
Includes changes in revenues and appropriations (in the "do nothing" budget), as well as Governor's rescissions and holdback in FY 2009 budget.
Comptroller Nancy Wyman
Federal Government
Better Choices for Connecticut
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Strengthening Economic Security for Connecticut Families
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This brief outlines economic security issues as they affect Connecticut families, including income, assets, and living costs. Connecticut workers (except those with the very highest incomes) have lost ground in recent years. Wages for Connecticut's low and middle wage earners were less in 2007 than in 2002, adjusted for inflation). The 8% wage loss since 2001 for Connecticut's low-wage workers was the greatest in the nation. Only the state's very wealthy enjoyed wage and income gains over this period of economic "recovery." Rising energy, food, and housing costs add to the pressures for Connecticut families.
The fact sheet suggests making some proven investments in the human capital of the state, including an avoidance of state budget cuts that weaken services necessary to put the state on the road to economic recovery and protect families, an overhaul of the state's economic development policies, increasing subsidies for high-quality child care, and putting more resources into affordable and supportive housing.
Download this publication from Connecticut Voices for Children.
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