Connecticut House Bill HB05168

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/19
• Refer: 1/11/19

Caption

An Act Prohibiting The Executive Branch From Making Rescissions Or Other Reductions To A Town's Education Cost-sharing Grant During The Fiscal Year.

Impact

The proposed legislation could have significant implications for local government budgets as it establishes a more stable framework for education funding. By preventing rescissions, towns may find it easier to create and implement their budgets, thereby allowing better planning for educational services. This legislative measure essentially reinforces the commitment of the state to uphold education funding, which could strengthen the financial position of many towns throughout the state.

Summary

House Bill 05168 aims to protect education funding within towns by prohibiting the executive branch from making rescissions or other reductions to the education cost-sharing grant during a fiscal year. The bill targets specific sections of the general statutes, enforcing that the grants towns are entitled to under section 10-262h and paid under section 10-262i are safeguarded from executive alterations during the fiscal term. This effectively ensures that towns can rely on consistent educational funding without fear of unexpected cuts from the state government.

Contention

However, the bill may face contention regarding budgetary constraints at the state level. Opponents might argue that imposing such restrictions on the executive branch could limit its ability to manage the state budget effectively, especially in times of financial uncertainty. Discussions could emerge about the balance of power between legislative mandates and executive discretion, as well as the potential impact on other state-funded programs if the grants are guaranteed regardless of overall state financial health.