Focusing On Education In Connecticut

While most of the General Assembly’s committees have already passed their deadlines to approve bills—sending those they like to the House of Representatives or the Senate for further action and voting down those that didn’t make the cut—the legislature’s three largest and most powerful committees are still working toward their deadlines at the end-of-April.

While the Judiciary, Appropriations and Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committees have already reported out numerous bills, many major issues are still on their agendas. The two so-called “money committees”—Appropriations and Finance—are the last to reach their deadline to approve bills, known as their joint-favorable deadline, and to tackle the biggest piece of legislation they’ll address this year: the state budget.

I have served on the Appropriations Committee for the four years, and I’ve co-chaired the Elementary & Secondary Education Subcommittee since my appointment. The subcommittee deals with financial issues surrounding the state Department of Education, the State Library and the Teachers’ Retirement Board.

While the scope of elementary and secondary education covers everything from special education programs to student achievement to teacher certification, the state’s fiscal situation colors every conversation. This year, I appreciate Governor Malloy supporting education funding at the same level as last year, something that I believe is very important and will continue to advocate for as we move along in the process.

A reduction in education funding to municipalities will only result in a shifting of the burden from the state to local property taxes—something that is not good for families, for our cities and towns and for our state.

This year, in addition to a new post as co-chair of the Transportation Committee, I’ve also taken on the new responsibility of co-chairing the Higher Education Subcommittee, which works with the state Department of Higher Education as well as our state institutions of higher learning—the University of Connecticut, the UConn Health Center, the Connecticut State University System, Charter Oak State College and the regional community-technical colleges.

This is an especially important post, as Governor Malloy has proposed a major overhaul of our higher education system, including a merger of our two largest higher education systems, the state university system and the community colleges.

The governor’s proposal would bring oversight of the Connecticut State University System’s four regional universities, the dozen state community colleges and Charter Oak State College under the existing state Department of Higher Education and a newly created Board of Regents.

All together, these institutions host nearly 100,000 students—many of whom are statistically more likely to remain in Connecticut after graduation rather than leaving the state. The governor believes his proposal will save millions, though critics are concerned that the savings will be difficult to realize and that the mission of our state university system and community colleges are distinct enough that a merger may not be in their best interest. With a looming $3.6 billion budget deficit, we’re taking a very hard look at this proposal and will consider it carefully in the Appropriations Committee.

Andrew Maynard is serving his third term in the Connecticut General Assembly representing the 18th Senatorial District, where he serves as co-chair of the Transportation Committee, as vice chair of the Environment Committee and as a member of the Appropriations Committee. He can be reached at 860-240-0591 or maynard@senatedems.ct.gov.