Appropriations Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6555
AN ACT CONCERNING LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT AND APPROVAL OF
Title: COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS.
Vote Date: 3/8/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/8/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
The Appropriations Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
The intention of the bill is to provide a framework for the disbursement of COVID-19 relief
funds that involves the legislative branch in the allocation of those funds.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Office of Policy and Management, Secretary Melissa McCaw urged rejection of the bill. She
stated that the approval of the Appropriations Committee and the full General Assembly
would deny the Executive Branch the flexibility to allocate and reallocate funds in an efficient
and targeted fashion to meet, not only current, but emerging needs. She cited the complex
and changing requirements that regulate the disbursement of the funds, the short timelines
for use and the penalties for non-compliance as reasons to not encumber the process. It was
also noted that, as currently written, there is no provision for the General Assembly's adopted
bill to move to the Governor's desk for signature, a departure from legislative practice, an
allocation plan for which the Federal Government would hold the state's Executive Branch
accountable for compliance.
Secretary McCaw also presented an Agency and Item Spreadsheet detailing all
disbursements thus far, an account of COVID-19 Grants received and COVID-19 relief Funds
Pie Charts illustrating allocations thus far.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Emily Byrne, CT Voices for Children, presented an overview of the regulations and limits of
the anticipated funds. She expressed support of legislative involvement in allocation to
facilitate the disbursement to underserved communities.
Kathleen Flaherty, CT Legal Rights Project, asked that both branches be involved with the
allocation decisions.
Merrill Gay, CT Early Childhood Alliance, noted that the State would be receiving funds
earmarked for childcare. He advocated using those funds to equalize and enhance child care
programs and opportunities and to adjust child care workers' salaries.
Jeff Leake, CT Education Association, supported more public input through the legislative
process and highlighted the needs of the public schools for supports in both infrastructure
and mental health.
Doris Maldonado address her testimony to the needs of the disability community who's needs
have gone unrecognized.
Karen Siegel, Health Equity Solutions, spoke to the need for equity to be incorporated into
the allocations of COVID-19 relief funds to address disproportionate impact.
The House Republican Caucus supports the Legislative Branch taking it's place in the
allocation process going forward.
Rep. Bill Buckbee, Rep. Jay Case, Rep Nicole Klarides-Ditra, Rep. David Labriola, and Rep.
David Rutigliano testified to a need to return to the regular legislative process and the need
for the people of Connecticut to be represented in the decision making.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed
Reported by: Elizabeth Gillette Date: March 11, 2021
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