Proposal writing for funding

In what would be the first reduction of the state income tax since 1996 and the largest since its adoption in 1991 , Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday said he will ask the General Assembly to cut the 5 percent rate to 4.5 percent, and for those who make less than $50,000 to pay no income taxes. The proposals would provide about $440 million in relief for 1.1 million of Connecticut's 1.7 million tax filers. "It's a long time coming," said the governor outside the East Hartford Community Cultural Center, stressing that working families and essential workers are the chief targets for the relief. Lamont will formally make the proposal on Wednesday, when he introduces his two-year spending proposal to the General Assembly. "This is the biggest tax cut since the dawn of the income tax in the state of Connecticut," said Lamont. Under the plan, those families who make less than $50,000 would pay no income tax, after their current 3 percent tax rate gets reduced to 2 percent. Those making less … [Read more...] about CT income tax rate would be lowered for some, erased for others under Gov. Ned Lamont proposal

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida lawmakers met Monday to begin a state takeover of Walt Disney World’s self-governing district and expand a migrant relocation program, key conservative priorities of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of his expected White House run. Republican leaders of the statehouse, in coordination with DeSantis, ordered the Legislature to convene in a special session to restructure the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as the Disney government is known. Lawmakers will also consider a proposal to create a state department focused on migrant transportation, after the governor flew a group of South American migrants from Texas to Massachusetts last year in protest of federal border policy. The session continues a focus by DeSantis focus on social issues including sexual orientation, gender and immigration as the Republican governor wades into political divides … [Read more...] about Florida begins session on Disney district, migrant flights

HARTFORD -- In one way of looking at it, a gala fundraiser that drew business and political elites to honor a former elected official in a minor league baseball park on the coldest night of the year was just that, a gathering for a charity, like so many. On the other hand, the firepower at Dunkin’ Donuts Park Friday night to applaud Shawn T. Wooden, who served one, 4-year term as Connecticut’s state treasurer, would impress anyone familiar with politics, business and the civic power structure -- especially in the Black community -- in and beyond Connecticut. And that raised an obvious question. “Shawn Wooden was always committed to Hartford,” said U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Brooklyn, N.Y. Democrat who’s minority leader in the House of Representatives and likely the future House speaker when and if the Dems win back that chamber. Wooden and Jeffries are pals from NYU law school. “He had so many opportunities to practice law across the country including at some of the … [Read more...] about Dan Haar: A flashy gala raises money — and speculation about a high-profile CT political career