A new report says CT could raise millions to fight homelessness from expensive home sales. Lawmakers could renew ‘mansion tax’ debate in 2025.
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Keith M. Phaneuf
Keith has spent most of his 31 years as a reporter specializing in state government finances, analyzing such topics as income tax equity, waste in government and the complex funding systems behind Connecticut’s transportation and social services networks. He has been the state finances reporter at CT Mirror since it launched in 2010. Prior to joining CT Mirror Keith was State Capitol bureau chief for The Journal Inquirer of Manchester, a reporter for the Day of New London, and a former contributing writer to The New York Times. Keith is a graduate of and a former journalism instructor at the University of Connecticut.
Matt Brokman taking over as Lamont’s chief of staff
Brokman, previously a top House Democratic staffer, joined the Lamont administration in January 2023 as a senior adviser.
CT savings program drives another $1 billion-plus surplus
Some CT lawmakers say the ‘volatile’ revenue that the fiscal guardrails collect — and that lawmakers can’t spend — is actually very stable.
In CT government jobs, diversity and pay gaps remain, study finds
CT has reduced inequities in representation and pay among Black workers in recent years, but the gaps have worsened for Hispanics and Asians.
CT diesel tax to jump 3 cents after yearlong freeze
CT’s trucking industry will face a small tax hike next month when the state tax on diesel fuel goes up slightly more than 3 cents per gallon.
Lamont administration could cut town aid but expects it won’t
Republicans questioned whether Democrats were putting local aid at risk through a hastily crafted provision to appease the administration.
Unions blast Lamont, consultants over UConn hospital privatization
Union officials say a consultant’s report understated John Dempsey Hospital’s role in the community and unfairly compared it to big networks.
New CT budget leaves huge gap one year down the road
Nearly $700M in temporary money, most of which goes to ongoing costs, will prop up CT’s budget in the next fiscal year — and then go away.
UConn Health has options to address financial woes, report says
Among the options laid out in the report were exploring the sale of John Dempsey Hospital, although privatization talks raised concerns.
Lawmakers OK one-time spend-down of transportation reserves
With CT’s transportation program on pace to leave money unspent again, Lamont had hoped to stave off gas-tax critics by paying down debt.
Five reasons why CT’s strange budget journey won’t repeat itself
Supporters and critics of the new CT budget concede the path taken to craft the plan was unconventional — and it won’t happen again.
CT $4.4B bond bill includes UConn construction, anti-poverty program
The package would boost borrowing for capital projects, launch a seven-year UConn building initiative and combat poverty and homelessness.
CT legislature passes $370M budget stabilization plan
Higher education and human services in CT get a temporary boost under the plan, but Republicans say budget rules were ignored.
A plan to get CT health benefits to a select few is abandoned
The provision — described as a “rat” — would have extended health coverage to a few unpaid members of quasi-public authority boards.
CT House to put last ARPA funds toward higher ed, other programs
The House was expected to assign at least $360 million to bolster higher education, social services, mental health, municipal aid and more