Committee Summary for House Finance (02/18/2025)

Weyler, Kenneth(Chairman)(R)[B+]2024	Griffin, Gerald(Clerk)(R)[A]2024	McGuire, Dan(V Chairman)(R)[A+]2024
Wallner, Mary Jane(D)[CT]2024	Daniels, Gary(R)	Leishman, Peter(D)[D-]2024
Ebel, Karen(D)[CT]2024	Muns, Chris(D)[CT]2024	Sweeney, Joe(R)[A-]2024
Seaworth, Brian(R)[A]2024	Preece, David(D)[CT]2024	Nalevanko, Rich(R)
Mooney, Maureen(R)[B+]2024	Edwards, Jess(R)[B+]2024	Murray, Kate(D)[CT]2024
Cambrils, Jose(R)[A]2024	Popovici-Muller, Daniel(R)[A+]2024	Rung, Rosemarie(D)[CT]2024
Bean, Harry(R)[A-]2024	Kelly, Eileen(D)	Hakken-Phillips, Mary(D)[CT]2024
Telerski, Laura(D)[CT]2024	Stringham, Jerry(D)[CT]2024	Erf, Keith(R)[A]2024
DeRoy, Susan(R)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB97 00:04:45.120 - 9:02:06 AM	Executive Session	making an appropriation to the department of environmental services for wastewater infrastructure projects.	Buco, Thomas(D)[CT]2024
HB197 00:07:32.080 - 9:04:53 AM	Executive Session	relative to payment by the state of a portion of retirement system contributions of political subdivision employers.	Edgar, Michael(D)[CT]2024
HB246 00:11:04.639 - 9:08:25 AM	Executive Session	directing the state conservation committee to implement the conservation district climate resilience grant program and making an appropriation therefor.	Aron, Judy(R)[A]2024
HB519 00:13:59.639 - 9:11:20 AM	Executive Session	making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund and support the Waypoint youth and young adult shelter.	Wallner, Mary Jane(D)[CT]2024

HB97: Representative Maguire Information Only00:04:45.120 - 9:02:06 AM; Representative Maguire moved to retain House Bill 97, stating that it is a worthwhile project but funds are short. The committee discussed the potential inclusion of the project in the budget.
HB197: Representative Maguire Information Only00:07:32.080 - 9:04:53 AM; Representative Maguire moved to retain House Bill 197, which involves the state paying 7.5% of local retirement costs for certain employees at a cost of $28-29 million per year. The committee discussed the potential inclusion of the project in the budget.
HB246: Representative Maguire Information Only00:11:04.639 - 9:08:25 AM; Representative Maguire moved to retain House Bill 246, which involves a small grant of $50,000 per year for two years. The committee discussed the potential inclusion of the project in the budget.
HB519: Representative Edwards Information Only00:13:59.639 - 9:11:20 AM; Representative Edwards moved to retain House Bill 519, requesting $500,000 in each of the coming years for the Waypoint Youth and Young Adult shelter. The committee discussed the potential inclusion of the project in the budget.
HB519: Representative McGuire Information Only00:16:35.040 - 9:13:56 AM; Representative McGuire discussed the financial situation of the state budget, highlighting a significant shortfall of $732,948,000. He compared the governor's budget with the unofficial figures from House Ways and Means, pointing out key differences such as the governor's use of $81 million from the rainy day fund and an additional $127 million expected from slot machines, which are not included in the Ways and Means figures. He also mentioned that the governor's budget does not account for $150 million in YDC payments and potential prison funding, emphasizing the seriousness of the budget problem.
HB519: Representative Edwards Information Only00:19:36.520 - 9:16:57 AM; Representative Edwards expressed concern about keeping track of financial commitments to counties, specifically mentioning a figure between $22.3 million and $25 million that needs to be considered alongside other budget contingencies outlined by Representative McGuire.
HB519: Representative unknown Information Only00:20:04.000 - 9:17:25 AM; An unidentified representative inquired about the availability of the document discussed by Representative McGuire, expressing a need for it to be shared with all committee members. They mentioned logistical issues with the document's size but confirmed its distribution.
HB519: Representative Ail Information Only00:20:43.679 - 9:18:04 AM; Representative Ail asked if restoring the interest and dividends tax, even with an increased exemption for those earning over $100,000, could help the state's revenue situation. Representative McGuire responded that any such changes would need to go through Ways and Means, and only if approved would they adjust the revenue estimates accordingly. He noted that the current revenue estimate would be voted on by the house and become binding unless revised.
HB519: Representative Abel Information Only00:22:32.480 - 9:19:53 AM; Representative Abel asked if the spending figures discussed by Representative McGuire included the spending outlined in HB2. Representative McGuire confirmed that it did, with a possible exception of the retirement system for group two, as discussions were still ongoing and the exact figures were not yet determined.
HB519: Representative Rung Information Only00:23:23.159 - 9:20:44 AM; Representative Rung explained the process of the Ways and Means Committee, noting that they only factor in current law for their estimates. He mentioned that the proposal under consideration is not current law, and thus, Ways and Means would be precluded from considering it in their estimates. He also discussed the ongoing budget process, mentioning the deadline at the end of March and the efforts to find budget cuts and manage spending suggestions.
HB519: Mr. Chair Information Only00:24:58.919 - 9:22:19 AM; Mr. Chair responded to a question about the interface between the education funding committee and their committee. He explained that members from their committee also serve on the education funding committee, ensuring instant feedback. He noted the complexities due to less federal money and fewer students, and the need to decide on education funding based on available revenue.
HB519: Representative Bu Information Only00:25:44.320 - 9:23:05 AM; Representative Bu, a member of the education funding committee, elaborated on the bills being considered, which touch on various aspects of education funding including the formula, special education, and other details. He discussed the recurring issue of donor towns and the redistribution of funds, mentioning the history and current debates surrounding this topic.
HB519: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:28:06.600 - 9:25:27 AM; The speaker discussed the upcoming meeting of Division 3, mentioning the review of the DHHS Commissioner's Budget Trailer Bill and the involvement of the Chairman of Public Works in discussing the capital budget. They highlighted the components of the capital budget, such as building maintenance and new information technology projects, and raised questions about the efficiency and job impact of IT investments.
HB519: Representative Mari Information Only00:29:39.000 - 9:27:00 AM; Representative Mari asked if Division 2 could head over to the Education Funding Committee, to which the response was affirmative, indicating no objection to this suggestion.