Witkos, Republicans Offer Plan to Restore Education Funding
February 7, 2017Hartford – Today Deputy Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) joined Senate and House Republicans to unveil a plan to reinstate nearly $20 million in education funding that was cut midyear to cities and towns throughout the state. The proposal would also eliminate the projected fiscal year 2017 budget deficit.
“In December, the governor’s actions resulted in nearly $20 million in education funding being cut from our cities and towns across the state. These reductions came in the middle of the budget year, making it extremely difficult for many towns to absorb the cuts. It’s not right that towns were treated like this. Some towns, like Norfolk, lost nearly their entire state funding as a result of these cuts,” said Witkos.
“Connecticut should keep the promises it has made to municipalities to provide the funding they are already budgeting for. The proposal we are putting forward today would restore vital funding for our children’s education needs that our towns are counting on. I hope this proposal will garner bipartisan support in the Senate and House of Representatives so we can do right by our towns and cities. ”
The proposal identifies savings in other areas of the budget to enable the state to restore $18.9 million in Education Cost Sharing funding that was cut by the administration in December and also close the current budget deficit of $11.9 million as estimated by the Office of Fiscal Analysis.
Sen. Witkos represents the 8th Senate District, which includes the communities of Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Granby, Hartland, Harwinton, New Hartford, Norfolk, Simsbury and Torrington. For more information visit www.senatorwitkos.com.