Budget Would Send $12.4 Million to New Britain, Legislators Say

New Britain’s Democratic state legislators say that New Britain stands to receive $12.4 million more under the state budget proposed by the chairs of the legislature’s Appropriations Committee.

“In calculating all total statutory formula aid for New Britain,” the delegations said in a statement, “the city would receive over $8.5 million in greater funding between 2021 and 2022. This figure would go up to over $12.4 million in more estimated total funding between 2021 and 2023, which is the equivalent of over 4.6 mills.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced how important it is for us to invest in our cities and towns so they can provide an array of critical services that benefit residents’ quality of life,” said Sen. Rick Lopes (D-6). “This budget reflects that importance by boosting state funding to New Britain and Berlin, which will support the well-being and safety of our residents.”

“Additionally, the pandemic has highlighted what we’ve long known: the underfunding of New Britain’s schools,” Sen. Lopes added.

Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25) said that, “In New Britain, there had been no effort by our local administration to increase education funding even with the added and unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“I fought hard to make sure our students received help with additional state funding for education and I am proud this budget reflects that effort,” Rep. Bobby Sanchez said. “Increased educational resources that were sorely needed will contribute to our recovery over the coming years.”

Under the proposed budget, the delegation said, “New Britain is expected to see back-to-back yearly increases in education funding under the Education Cost Sharing Formula (ECS) in the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. New Britain is estimated to go up from about $95.7 million in 2021 to receiving over $99.6 million in 2022, then around $103.6 million in 2023.” The budget, according to the delegation, would also add, “estimated roughly $580,000 in 2021 to over $624,000 in 2023,” to the adult education program in the city.

“Increased educational resources that were sorely needed will contribute to our recovery over the coming years,” said Rep. Bobby Sanchez.

“It is critical that the city’s schools have the necessary resources to close gaps in academic opportunity that have been further exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Sen. Lopes. “Greater education funding moves us closer to achieving educational equity, which will benefit the long-term future of all our students here in New Britain.”

“The pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in our society,” Rep. Manny Sanchez (D-24) said, “and how government needs to be prepared for any eventuality. That is why resources and how they are allocated in the budget are critical to preparedness and the ability to respond in a timely and effective manner.”

The delegation says that the proposed budget would provide city hall with additional “Tiered PILOT Program” grant money of, “about $9.6 million for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years,” providing the city with, “a little over $4.56 million increase from 2021 fiscal year estimate.”

The proposal, the delegation says, “Keeps the 2017 bipartisan state budget promises related to municipal Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding and maintains the current rollout of the ECS funding formula, providing an additional $108 million to cities and towns over the next two years. It also provides an additional $4.7 million in FY 22 and $9.4 million in FY 23 to school systems with higher numbers of low-income students and English Language Learner students.”

“The pandemic has once again exposed the lack of funding and resources that have long been deprived from our school system here in New Britain,” said Rep. Peter Terycak (D-26). “If we want to get serious about promoting equity and equal educational opportunity for all students in New Britain, we have to invest more into our schools. The increased funding that will be coming to our public schools and essential services is a step in the right direction and an investment in the future of New Britain.”

The delegation also says that the proposed budget, “Fully funds Local Health District state grants,” would allocate, “$14 million in FY 22 and $15 million in FY 23 from the estimated FY 21 surplus for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system to fully implement debt-free community college,” and would provide, ” the elimination of fees paid by parents or legal guardians of children receiving Birth to Three services.”

“This budget reflects a renewed awareness and commitment from our leaders to focus on funding the important areas that affect our everyday lives,” said Rep. Manny Sanchez.

The delegation says that the, “The Appropriations Committee budget proposal now forms the basis for legislative branch negotiations with Governor Lamont and his executive branch budget proposal that he unveiled in February.” The budget under consideration would be for the two state budget years that start on July 1, 2021 and end on June 30, 2023.

The 2021 state legislative session is set to adjourn on June 9th.