Appropriations Committee Conservation and Development State Agency Presentations on the Governor’s FY27 Proposed Budget Adjustments [Source] Translate

Brian Holbert, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, opened the meeting by discussing the department's stable budget, noting a significant change where several items were moved from other expenses to various grants, leading to a 20% reduction in many grants, except for the Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids program, which maintains its million-dollar funding. Holbert highlighted the transition of the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) from a paper voucher system to a debit card system, which has increased participation and redemption rates. The program is expected to exceed one million dollars in redemptions in 2024, benefiting WIC participants and seniors over 60. The discussion then focused on dairy farming, where Holbert explained that dairy prices set by the federal milk marketing order do not reflect production costs in Connecticut. With 79 licensed dairy farms facing financial challenges due to a drop in milk prices, Holbert emphasized the importance of dairy farms to the state's agricultural economy and the difficulties in establishing a local market for dairy products. The Connecticut Growing for Connecticut Kids program received over $4 million to support farm-to-school initiatives, encouraging schools to purchase directly from local farms. The meeting concluded with discussions on the volatility of dairy prices and the need for support for farmers. The meeting also covered housing and homelessness issues, reporting that 30 projects resulted in 1,616 housing units, with 6,500 units under construction, 80% of which are affordable for low-income families. A $500,000 allocation for a homeless youth program was discussed, aiming to provide rental assistance vouchers and connect families with services. Concerns were raised about the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) waiting list, which has about 2,000 individuals. The Department of Housing is working to clarify the breakdown of RAPs and their waiting lists. The CFO of the Department of Housing mentioned bringing fiscal monitoring in-house for better control. The meeting transitioned to the Department of Labor, where challenges in administering the unemployment insurance program due to federal funding cuts were discussed. The need for a revised formula for the summer youth employment program was emphasized, along with the importance of job training programs for various industries. Concerns about the workforce development boards and funding formulas for youth programming were raised, particularly regarding equitable adjustments for rural areas. The agency is facing significant reductions in its administrative base grant, complicating staffing levels and service quality. The meeting also addressed technology improvements, audits, and budget allocations within the Department of Labor, with discussions on delays in appeals processing and the need for clarification on budget discrepancies. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) presented the governor's proposed budget recommendations, focusing on staff funding for new cleanup regulations and emergency spill response. Wildlife management, particularly concerning bears and invasive species, was also discussed, along with dam management and the reorganization of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) discussed economic growth strategies, emphasizing the importance of advanced manufacturing and the need for better workforce training. Concerns about energy policy and the impact of high energy prices on economic progress were raised, along with discussions on the changing job landscape due to e-commerce. The meeting concluded with discussions on grants for workforce development, particularly for CNAs and LPNs, and concerns about proposed federal caps on indirect costs for research. The Commissioner acknowledged the need for intentional efforts to support underserved communities and emphasized the importance of equitable growth. Participants were reminded to attend upcoming work sessions for further discussions.