The Connecticut General Assembly has periodically created “revenue diversions” in state statute. A “revenue diversion” is established when the General Assembly diverts a portion of revenue, which would otherwise be deposited into the General Fund, to a different fund or account. Revenue diversion statutes are explicit in the amount of revenue that is diverted, established as either a percentage of total revenue or a flat dollar amount, along with a description of what the diverted revenue will support. Once established in state statute, revenue diversions exist in perpetuity unless adjusted by the General Assembly.
The State of Connecticut is facing structural headwinds that threaten the ability for its residents, taxpayers, and businesses to thrive. One of these structural challenges is Connecticut’s land use regulations, which have restricted housing supply, increased housing prices, and limited economic growth. This report describes how including the dimension of economic impact and growth in the analysis of land use regulations and development processes can address this structural challenge.
Connecticut's public school districts remain deeply segregated and significant funding gaps continue to exist between districts that predominantly serve students of color and districts that largely serve White student populations. These are two of the overarching findings from this School and State Finance Project report, which examines racial disparities in Connecticut education funding.
On March 27, 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion package that provides emergency financial assistance to: individuals; state, local, and tribal governments; nonprofit organizations, including healthcare providers; and for-profit businesses. This policy briefing and FAQ document summarize the provisions of the CARES Act that impact elementary and secondary education in the United States, and details the $138.8 million the State of Connecticut is due to receive from the federal government in formulaic grant assistance to help the State and local educational agencies (LEAs) respond to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Starting in late 2019, and in accordance with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has published annual Public School Expenditure Reports for each local public school district, charter school district, and Regional Educational Service Center (RESC). This frequently asked questions document looks at the per-pupil expenditure information contained in these reports and how it differs from what was available previously.