Connecticut State Budget Update – February 10, 2020
On February 5, Governor Lamont released his proposed budget adjustment for the next fiscal year starting July 1, 2020.
What does this mean for after school funding?
The Governor’s proposal (on pages B-61 & 62) cuts $530,000 from the state-funded After School Grant Program, a 9% cut that would eliminate services for more than five hundred children. These two-year grants were awarded this fall and are now operating at 75 nonprofit, municipal and school sites in 28 towns and cities, including small towns like Scotland, Sprague and Barkhamsted.
Here’s how you can help:
Contact your state legislators and express your concern about after school grant funding. Find your legislators here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp
Tell them: “Please fully fund the state After School Grants.”
Write testimony about how the elimination of these programs will impact you and the children and families you serve and submit it via email no later than 2 pm on Thursday 2/13. Include at least one anecdote or example of how it has specifically helped. For formatting, please see examples from past years on-line here: https://ctafterschoolnetwork.org/advocacy-2/ You can address it to the co-chairs of the Appropriations Committee, Sen. Catherine Osten and Rep. Toni Walker. Email written testimony in Word or PDF format to APPtestimony@cga.ct.gov and copy the Network (mdc@ctafterschoolnetwork.org) on the email. This is really important as it goes into the public record and legislators can see who is supporting which issues.
Speak directly to the Appropriations at the 2/13 Public Hearing. The public hearing starts at 4 pm and will run until very late. Call Michelle if you have questions (860-794-4978) or want us to sign you up to speak.
Please note that if you are interested in early childhood funding, the Governor’s budget also cuts $2.7 million from the Early Care and Education line item that would allow School Readiness and Child Development Centers better serve low income families.
Want to get keep up with the latest on after school funding? Follow our advocacy blog posts for the latest in breaking news on after school and summer programs.
Questions? Contact Michelle at mdc@ctafterschoolnetwork.org or call 860-730-2941.