For those of you who are unaware, Connecticut is in the midst of a budget crisis.
Back in February 2016:
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed a $19.87 billion budget Wednesday that cuts most state agencies and previously approved municipal aid, and potentially eliminates "thousands" of jobs, while avoiding tax hikes to close a nearly $570 million deficit.
"We have to adapt even more," Malloy said in his budget address to the General Assembly. "Connecticut state government must reset our expectations of what we can afford, how we provide services, and how we save for our priorities. It won’t be easy, and it often won’t be politically popular. However, it is absolutely necessary if we want to create a more sustainable and enduring economy."
Read this compilation and timeline of articles to obtain a comprehensive overview of the budget crisis in Connecticut.
The Social Safety Net is facing the worst cuts:
The cuts for fiscal year 2017 add up to $570 million. The departments that are facing the worst cuts are the Department of Social Services ($61 million), Department of Developmental Services ($55 million) and from addiction and mental health services ($71 million).
This by itself would be worrisome, but it goes beyond that. According to the CT Community Nonprofit Alliance´s analysis, 72% of the cuts ($408 million) come from non-profit providers. Consequently, many core services offered by these providers will again face an uphill battle meeting the needs of low-income families in the state with diminishing resources.
The slow economic recovery has left many families behind. The budget is asking them again to bear the brunt of the state fiscal woes.
Additionally, Malloy proposed cuts to public, special and higher education:
Proposals for public education spending:
$20.2 million would be cut from the Board of Regents for Higher Education, representing a 5.75 percent reduction.
$13.9 million would be cut from the University of Connecticut, also a 5.75 percent cut.
$8.1 million would be cut from the UConn Health Center budget.
The Educational Cost Sharing fund would remain at its current $2.1 billion funding level, thus erasing a promised $7.3 million increase in the second year of the two-year budget cycle.
$757,725 in general funding to Regional Education Service centers around the state, like CES and ACES, would be cut.
$350,000 in funding for a program called CommPACT, a program led by UConn and which provides services to underperforming schools including Bassick High School in Bridgeport would be cut, eliminating the program unless another funding source can be found.
$52.9 million cut from Department of Education operating funds.
$8 million in cuts cuts from an excess cost grant to offset special education costs.
$18.6 million cut from interdistrict magnet school programs.
Raising taxes if off the table:
Though {Senate Chair of the Appropriations Committee} Bye said her colleagues in the Democratic majority continue to prioritize education, health care, municipal aid and assistance for the needy, the bipartisan opposition to tax hikes — coupled with surging fixed costs and limited economic growth — will take a toll not seen in recent history on the next state budget.
Here’s the latest response from the CT General Assembly:
Leaders of the Senate’s Democratic majority announced Thursday they believe there is enough support to pass a plan next week to close most or all of the $220 million deficit in the current state budget.
Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said talks also continue with the Democratic majority in the House and Republican caucuses in both chambers in hopes of passing a plan with bipartisan support.
In my opinion, incremental change is not going to fix the increased pain that the most vulnerable Connecticut citizens will encounter from these budget cuts. What we’re seeing in Connecticut is a microcosm of what is happening nationally. I don’t have the answers to this crisis, but I know a leader who may have a different approach.
Bernie Sanders On the Issues
The American people must make a fundamental decision. Do we continue the 40-year decline of our middle class and the growing gap between the very rich and everyone else, or do we fight for a progressive economic agenda that creates jobs, raises wages, protects the environment and provides health care for all? Are we prepared to take on the enormous economic and political power of the billionaire class, or do we continue to slide into economic and political oligarchy? These are the most important questions of our time, and how we answer them will determine the future of our country.
APRIL 26, 2016 is Connecticut’s Presidential Preference Primary. It has a closed primary system. Voters must be registered as a Democrat to vote in the Democratic primary.
Connecticut doesn't have same day/election day registration for primaries.
Voter Registration Information
Voter Registration Lookup
Voting Eligibility
If you are at least 17 years old and turning 18 years old before Election Day (November 8, 2016), you are eligible to vote in the Connecticut Presidential Preference Primary
ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION
To use the online voter registration system you must have a current and valid driver’s license, learner’s permit or non-driver photo identification card issued by the CT Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and a signature on file with DMV.
APRIL 21ST is the deadline for NEW VOTERS and UNAFFILIATED VOTERS to register to vote or register with a party by mail or online. NOTE: You are not a voter/affiliated with a party until your application is approved by the Registrar of Voters.
APRIL 25TH by noon is the deadline for NEW VOTERS and UNAFFILIATED VOTERS to register to vote or register with a party in person at their local Registrars of Voters office.
What is an unaffiliated voter? Unaffiliated is the term used to refer to voters who are not registered with a political party. This term is used instead of referring to these voters as independent to avoid confusion with the Independent Party, which is an established political party. If you write Independent in section 9 of your Voter Registration, you will be registered as a member of the Independent Party.
Absentee Ballot Voting
I believe that America needs Bernie Sanders as our next president. I also believe that the voting process from registering to vote through election day needs to be easy and accessible. Knowledge is power.
Thanks for reading.