Connecticut National Guard says budget flat for FY26–27 as federal orders and unit costs pressure operations

Major General Frannie, the Adjunct General of the Connecticut Military Department, told the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on Feb. 13 that the agency’s proposed budget for fiscal 2026–27 is “essentially flat,” and that the department plans to cover core functions by increasing internal efficiencies.

The agency’s funding outlook matters because, Frannie said, recent executive orders at the federal level are prompting daily messages to federally funded technicians and raising personnel and readiness questions. “We have about, 600 title, federal technicians,” Frannie said, describing a mix of dual-status uniformed technicians and civilian technicians who are directly affected by federal guidance. He said the department has ordered some technicians back from telework and is pressing for exemptions for uniformed dual-status technicians and title 5 employees at the national level.

The nut graf: Lawmakers pressed the adjutant general about how the federal directives affect Connecticut readiness and about several line items in the state budget — including a small referral recruiting program, the governor’s horse and foot guards, and repairs at aging armories — all of which agency…