Community Corner

Vocational Schools Take Big Hit in Governor's Budget Balancing Plan

Wilcox could lose art and music teachers, after-school sports and much staff; nearby DMV offices slated to close; rail and bus fares would rise if Governor's budget balancing plan is adopted.

Gov. Dannel Malloy's administration released a laundry list of harsh cuts to state programs – from state education to the DMV – on Friday morning that it says will balance the state's budget since state unions rejected a concession plan in late June. The cuts will be enacted, the state government said, if a new agreement can't be met with state unions to make up for a $1.6 billion defecit.

"The plan we are submitting today to the Legislature contains a lot of painful spending cuts," said a joint statement from Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman. "Coupled with the list of layoffs we released yesterday, we are entirely aware of the impact this plan will have on the lives of thousands of our fellow state employees and their families, and people across Connecticut who have become used to a certain level of services provided by state government."

In it, the administration makes major cuts to social services, education, healthcare, and boosts transit rates. The full proposal is attached in PDF to this article.

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Technical schools were hit hard.

The plan would completely cut music and arts departments and suspend all athletic programs at the state's technical schools. It would also eliminate certain specific positions at the schools, like the Dean of Students, library media department heads, and seven social workers throughout the system.

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As for Meriden's Wilcox Technical High School, State Vocational School Superintendent Patricia Ciccone said that such cuts could dissuade students from attending Wilcox.

"It’s a great school – it’s a school that is growing even with the difficulties," she said. "But I think we are going to see our enrollments decrease due to our cuts."

The plan would also cut grants for Neighborhood Youth Centers like the Boy's and Girls Clubs and the YMCA in half.

Several of the state's Department of Motor Vehicle locations would be closed in the plan, including nearby New Britain. Danbury, Enfield, Old Saybrook and Putnam, would also be closed, along with photo license centers in Middletown, Milford, and Derby. Winstead and Willimantic part-time branches would be increased to full time.

Bus and Train fares would each increase to reduce state subsidies to the entity. Bus fares would go up 10 percent as of November 1, rail fares would increase 14 percent on Shoreline East and 15 percent on the New Haven line. The cost of ADA transportation would also rise 10 percent. The state says this would be the first increase for each modes of transit since 2005. The plan also calls for a 40 bus and 50 employee reduction in the state's bus service. 

The dependents of veterans are currently eligible for dental services but will lose this care under the plan.


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