Connecticut Voices for Children recently held its annual budget and tax forum, where they criticized the state for not spending enough on children’s programs despite having surplus money in the billions. The group argued that fiscal guardrails and revenue controls are too restrictive, leading to a surplus of $12.5 billion over seven fiscal years, more than double what was budgeted. They pointed out that simple changes to these rules could have freed up billions for programs that support families and children. Dr. Patrick O’Brien, the group’s Research and Policy Director, suggested that with just a fraction of the surplus, the state could provide tax relief, housing support, childcare, and more for low and middle-income families. Instead, the state is overly focused on paying off long-term employee pension liabilities, while neglecting investments in children that could lead to economic growth in the future. Connecticut Voices for Children emphasized the need for prioritizing spending on kids to ensure a better future for the state.
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