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Gov. Ned Lamont signs Connecticut budget, pledges $193 million in supplemental school aid
Summary
At a ceremonial signing at Plat High School, Gov. Ned Lamont and legislative leaders hailed a bipartisan 2026 budget that they said adds $193 million in supplemental education grants, expands early-childhood funding and boosts pension payments to lower long-term debt service.
Gov. Ned Lamont signed the statebudget at Plat High School in Meridan on a day state and local officials described as a win for education funding and municipal relief.
"We are signing a budget that delivers real relief for our families," Lieutenant Governor Bisawitz said, announcing what the administration described as $193 million in supplemental education grants for towns and cities, more than $162 million in direct municipal aid and $12 million for universal free breakfast.
The mayor of Meridan, Mayor Scarpati, said the budget will bring nearly $8 million in new funds to the city, including $1.5 million in municipal aid, allowing the city to lower its mill rate to below 30 and saving the typical homeowner roughly $150 a year. "All of this allowing us to reduce that mill rate, making Meridan more affordable for our taxpayers," he said.
Meridan Superintendent Mark Bengney said the new funding has already enabled the district to restore 20 previously cut positions (15 classroom teachers) and add 27.6 new support-staff positions, including tutors and behavior technicians. "This additional funding will enable us to improve student academic outcomes by increasing classroom supports," he said.
Sen. Martin Looney and other legislative leaders framed the spending as a combination of near-term relief and long-term fiscal management. Looney noted a multiyear commitment to early-childhood investment, saying the state added another $300 million this year to the $300 million started last year for the early childhood endowment. Gov. Lamont and others emphasized additional pension payments planned in fiscal 2026 and 2027, which officials said will reduce future debt service costs.
House Speaker Matt Ritter credited bipartisan support in the legislature for producing the agreement in an election year. "127 people, Democrats and Republicans, said that's the right thing for the state of Connecticut," Ritter said, praising leadership and cross-aisle cooperation that yielded the final package.
The ceremony concluded with a photo and pen-distribution: leaders from appropriations and finance committees received pens for the ceremonial signing while students and delegates were invited onstage. Senator Looney, who is retiring, was singled out and given a pen in recognition of his service.
The signing is ceremonial and reflects the budget package passed earlier by the legislature; the event at Plat High School highlighted how state leaders intend the new revenues to flow to schools and municipalities. No further formal votes were recorded during the ceremony.
