Sen. Linares Says He Will Work to Restore Education Funding

January 5, 2017


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With power-sharing agreements, talks of bipartisanship, and a State of the State address acknowledging the need for stable, predictable state budgets, Sen. Art Linares (R-33) said he is hopeful the legislature can achieve a balanced state budget that restores critical education funding to schools in the 33rd District.

“Families and businesses need predictability in order to have confidence in their future in Connecticut,” Sen. Linares said. “Our towns and school districts also need predictability. Sadly, that is not what they have gotten from the state. Last week’s irresponsible, mid-year cuts in state funding have our communities scrambling to figure out how they will continue to provide students the education they need to be successful adults. The Governor should immediately restore funding for our schools.”

Sen. Linares said reversing the education funding cuts made both last week and in the budget approved by the General Assembly is a priority.

“When we short-change our children’s education, we short-change their future. Education and education funding should never be about politics. We need a bi-partisan, non-political state budget that is balanced, sustainable and adequately funds our children’s education,” he said. “I am confident we can do that.”

Republicans have an 18 to 18 tie with the Democrats in the Senate, and are only a few seats short of a tie in the House, Sen. Linares said.

“We have an opportunity to affect real change, to make the state better for everyone,” he said. “The Governor has said everything is on the table and I plan to hold him to that. Now is the time to make the important, structural changes to the budget and state funding that will put Connecticut and its children on the path to success.”

Sen. Linares represents the communities of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.