STATE OF

OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

February 21, 2020

The Honorable , Senator Republican Leader The Honorable Themis Klarides, House Minority Leader The Honorable , Finance Senate Ranking Member The Honorable Christopher Davis, Finance House Ranking Member

Dear Senator Fasano, Representative Klarides, Senator Witkos and Representative Davis,

At the request of Governor Lamont, I am hereby submitting draft legislation and an accompanying detailed spreadsheet of authorizations to move forward with a targeted municipal aid bond package. A corresponding package was submitted to your Democratic colleagues.

While we have been attempting to negotiate a long-term transportation plan for this state that would include a mix of General Obligation and Special Tax Obligation bonds, the other projects included in the bond bill have been forced to wait. It is imperative to decouple the municipal grants from the larger bond bill and approve authorizations that will allow for these municipal grant programs to prevent year end deficits and help offset local expenses.

Towns have waited long enough for municipal aid and therefore new authorizations are required. On behalf of Governor Lamont, I have attached for your information the proposed legislation requesting action by March 6, 2020. Assuming passage and signing by the Governor, I shall schedule a State Bond Commission meeting by March 18, 2020 subject to statutory requirements.

I appreciate your time and attention and look forward to working together to help our municipalities.

Sincerely,

Melissa N. McCaw OPM Secretary

cc:

Governor Lieutenant Governor Ryan Drajewicz, Chief of Staff Paul Mounds, Chief Operating Officer Kosta Diamantis, OPM Deputy Secretary

450 Capitol Avenue • Hartford, Connecticut 06106-1379 www.ct.gov/opm