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Connecticut Leaders Urge U.S. Senate To Pass $1.9 Trillion COVID Relief Bill

Conn. Gov. Ned Lamont
Jessica Hill
/
Associated Press
Conn. Gov. Ned Lamont

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and the leaders of some cities and towns urge Congress to adopt the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package. The bill was passed by the U.S. House last week and is now being considered in the U.S. Senate. 

The COVID relief bill includes $200 billion that would go to states. Connecticut’s share would be about $3 billion. Lamont said that money would help him close the state’s budget gap.

“This is good news for us. We would be able to preserve the rainy day fund. And some of this money would be able to go to supplementing our budget,” Lamont said.

Another $130 billion in the package would go to local governments. Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling said that would help him avoid raising local property taxes.

“This bill is called the rescue bill. That’s the right name because we need to be desperately rescued from what is happening,” Rilling said.

U.S. Congressman Jim Himes of Connecticut said the bill also has $130 billion to help state and local authorities reopen schools.

As WSHU Public Radio’s award-winning senior political reporter, Ebong Udoma draws on his extensive tenure to delve deep into state politics during a major election year.