budget surplus

Connecticut Senate Democrats approved using $500 million of state surplus money to backstop federal cuts to safety net programs in a special session on Thursday.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and state legislative leaders have agreed on a bipartisan plan to use $500 million from the state’s budget surplus to backstop federal cuts to social safety net programs.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has agreed with state lawmakers to use up to $500 million in state surplus to offset some of the federal funding cuts.

Connecticut is closing its 2025 fiscal year with a $410 million operating surplus, up from the $297 million previously projected, according to State Comptroller Sean Scanlon.

A coalition of Connecticut advocates wants a significant portion of this year’s $2.5 billion budget surplus allocated to offset recent federal funding cuts to social service programs.

A coalition of Connecticut labor, community and faith groups want state lawmakers to adjust the state’s fiscal guardrails this year to allow for more spending on public education, health care and housing.

Connecticut’s record $12.5 billion in budget surpluses since fiscal constraints were implemented in 2018 have come at the cost of critical state investments in children and families, according to a report released by the advocacy group Connecticut Voices for Children on Tuesday.

Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon said the state’s fiscal health is the best it’s been in decades, but he warned lawmakers not to rock the boat in next year’s legislative session.

Mayor Justin Elicker wants the city’s Board of Alders to spend $3 million of the $16.4 million rainy day fund on the school district. He also called on Gov. Ned Lamont to loosen the fiscal guardrails and direct more funding to education.

Connecticut’s latest consensus revenue forecast projects the state will end its fiscal year with a $256 million surplus.