GOV. MALLOY AND LT. GOVERNOR WYMAN TO HOLD COMMUNITY FORUM IN MILFORD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
2014
Agenda Focused on Connecticut’s Future, Helping Families Share in State’s
Recovery
(HARTFORD,
CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman today announced
that they will hold a community forum in Milford on the evening of Wednesday,
March 5, giving them an opportunity to discuss their agenda for the future with
state residents. In particular, the Governor said he would like to
discuss the responsible management of the state’s finances, efforts to support
job growth, proposals to increase universal access to pre-kindergarten and make
higher education a little more affordable, and increase the state’s minimum
wage.
The
forum will be held from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Milford City Hall Auditorium
(110 River Street). Residents who would like an opportunity to ask the
Governor a question should arrive prior to the start of the event to submit
their names on the sign-up sheet. The forum is open to the public and
tickets are not necessary.
“In
the last three years, the private sector has grown more than 40,000 private
sector jobs, the state’s long-term debt has been reduced by more than $11.5 billion,
and the state budget went from a $3.6 billion deficit to a $500 million
surplus. These are all signs of progress, however there is still more
work to do,” Governor Malloy said. “Engaging the public at forums like
these is a critical component in our strategy to make our communities stronger
and our economy more competitive.”
This
legislative session, Governor Malloy’s proposed a series of initiatives that
will build a prosperous future, including:
- Allocating Connecticut’s $505 million budget surplus in a responsible way:
- Increases the state’s rainy day fund by $270 million (bringing the balance to $543 million)
- Continues to pay down long-term debt by $100 million towards pension obligations (saving taxpayers $430 million over 20 years)
- Gives back to Connecticut taxpayers through a modest sales and gas tax refund and $447 million in longer-term tax relief
- Supporting both small businesses and working families:
- Increases Connecticut’s minimum wage to $10.10 by 2017
- Continues to fund the Small Business Express Program, which has already helped 1,000 Connecticut small businesses create and maintain 13,000 jobs.
·
Investing in
education:
o Moves Connecticut toward universal access to
pre-kindergarten, serving 4,000 more children by 2018 and preparing for full
statewide access.
o Makes higher education a little more affordable, offering
new parents up to a $250 investment in a tax-free college savings account for
their child, increasing funding for college scholarships, and incentivizes
college completion by offering free classes to returning students.
Dates
and locations for additional community forums throughout the state will be
announced during the coming weeks as each event is scheduled.
Governor
Malloy and Lt. Governor Wyman have held these forums each year since their
inauguration in 2011, speaking with hundreds of citizens on a comprehensive
range of state issues. This year’s schedule of events can be located
online at http://governor.ct.gov/communityforums.
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