Senator Boucher Statements on UConn Avery Point Campus Rally

State Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) today responded to statements at UConn’s Avery Point Campus during a rally against the bipartisan approved budget bill.

“As a UConn Alum, I am a very strong supporter of the university and the contributions it makes to its students and our state. I believe in the power of education to change lives,” Sen. Boucher said. “Today, Connecticut faces a critical financial situation and we have no choice but to rein in spending across the state budget. This means making cuts even to programs we support so that we can fund critical services that are needed.

“Our budget cuts state funding to UConn by 17 percent. This means UConn still receives nearly $1 billion in state aid over the two-year period. Additionally, UConn receives funding through the UConn Foundation and donations by alumni. Some of this is funding is dedicated to specific programs, but it could also free up the state funding that would have gone toward those programs.” she said.

“Cuts are necessary to fund critical service needs. Some of those services are the Care4Kids program, Connecticut Home Care for the Elderly, programs for intellectually and developmentally disabled residents, substance abuse treatment, Meals on Wheels, and many others. The budget put forward by Democrats has small cuts to UConn funding, but also cuts those other programs that serve our most vulnerable residents. It’s a difference between wants and needs. We need to fund these critical services. Throughout the process I have said the Republican budget should be a starting point for negotiations, but now time is running. Inaction by the legislature has created a crisis for our towns and schools. We face billions after billions of deficits as far as we can see into the future and our options for solutions are eroding rapidly.”