When legislators and Gov. Ned Lamont last renewed an aggressive package of fiscal controls that generated billions in state budget surpluses, critics decried a process kept mostly behind closed doors. But those who want to scale back savings efforts and those committed to keeping these so-called “fiscal guardrails” unchanged already have found one patch of common ground as they brace for a landmark debate in the coming weeks on Connecticut’s fiscal future.
The process this time, they say, must occur in the light of day. For the General Assembly session that convenes Jan. 8, that means public hearings, open meetings, nonpartisan analyses and other elements of the transparent, legislative committee process.
Reformers want to ensure enough funds are redirected to core services like education and health care, while backers of the status quo want every chance to stop change dead in its tracks. “To keep it in the dark, as it was in 2023, would allow for more mistakes,” said Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, co-chairwoman of the Human Services Committee and one of the most vocal critics of the current system of budget controls.
“The people of the state deserve an opportunity to weigh in on this,” said Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, who opposes any scaling back of current savings efforts. Harding added the stakes in the upcoming debate are much greater than those in 2023. Gilchrest and Harding were referring to a controversial decision two .
