Keith Phaneuf

Hartford

State Budget Reporter at The CT Mirror

State budget reporter for the Connecticut Mirror, the leading online source for news on state policy and politics.

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Articles

Owe taxes in CT? This plan would hit drivers hard to make them pay up.

5 days ago | courant.com | Keith Phaneuf

Faced with a slumping economy and likely big cuts in federal aid, state legislators are once again weighing whether to turn delinquent taxpayers over to collection agencies — and block renewal of their driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations. But the measure also is sparking pushback from groups that say it unfairly targets the poor even as Connecticut treats wealthy delinquent taxpayers with kid gloves.
CT Senate leaders offer new plan to tax rich to mitigate federal cuts

6 days ago | ctpublic.org | Keith Phaneuf

Published April 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM EDT The state Senate’s leaders unveiled a new proposal Thursday to boost taxes on Connecticut’s high earners, seeking to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to mitigate anticipated deep cuts in federal aid to health care, education and other core programs here. Senate President Pro Tem Martin M.
CT could withhold driver's licenses from tax delinquents

6 days ago | ctmirror.org | Keith Phaneuf

Faced with a slumping economy and likely big cuts in federal aid, state legislators are once again weighing whether to turn delinquent taxpayers over to collection agencies — and block renewal of their driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations. But the measure also is sparking pushback from groups that say it unfairly targets the poor even as Connecticut treats wealthy delinquent taxpayers with kid gloves.
CT plan would raise income taxes on rich to mitigate federal cuts

1 week ago | ctmirror.org | Keith Phaneuf

The state Senate’s leaders unveiled a new proposal Thursday to boost taxes on Connecticut’s high earners, seeking to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to mitigate anticipated deep cuts in federal aid to health care, education and other core programs here. Senate President Pro Tem Martin M.
Some CT legislators call for more taxes on the rich. Will Lamont agree?

1 week ago | courant.com | Keith Phaneuf

Gov. Ned Lamont has steadfastly refused to increase taxes on Connecticut’s wealthiest residents throughout his six-plus years in office. During that time, legislators have proposed income tax surcharges, mansion taxes and other changes aimed solely at high earners, but they abandoned every measure before final budget negotiations with Lamont. But many fear that pattern could be tested in the coming months as never before.
Some CT legislators call for more taxes on rich. Will Lamont agree?

1 week ago | ctmirror.org | Keith Phaneuf

Gov. Ned Lamont has steadfastly refused to increase taxes on Connecticut’s wealthiest residents throughout his six-plus years in office. During that time, legislators have proposed income tax surcharges, mansion taxes and other changes aimed solely at high earners, but they abandoned every measure before final budget negotiations with Lamont. But many fear that pattern could be tested in the coming months as never before.
'We're going to be prepared'

2 weeks ago | ctmirror.org | Keith Phaneuf

Gov. Ned Lamont tried to ease worries over eroding federal aid Thursday, assuring residents that while Connecticut must brace for reduced help from Washington, the state is better prepared to manage the crisis than most others. Speaking at a late afternoon press conference, Lamont also said he isn’t ready to commit funds that Connecticut has used in recent years to shrink its considerable pension debt to mitigate the pain of federal cuts. But he also was careful not to rule anything out.
Lamont, legislators seek sweet-spot strategy as economy sours

2 weeks ago | hartfordbusiness.com | Keith Phaneuf

Gov. Ned Lamont and legislative leaders agree that state dollars should be used to blunt the big cuts in federal aid Connecticut is facing. But with a recession also looming that could punch more holes in state finances, how much can Connecticut spare? Set aside too little, and officials might have to watch hundreds of thousands of residents lose Medicaid coverage while poor cities boost taxes to offset vanishing federal aid.
Lamont tries to ease fears over federal aid cutbacks

2 weeks ago | hartfordbusiness.com | Keith Phaneuf

Gov. Ned Lamont tried to ease worries over eroding federal aid Thursday, assuring residents that while Connecticut must brace for reduced help from Washington, the state is better prepared to manage the crisis than most others. Speaking at a late afternoon press conference, Lamont also said he isn’t ready to commit funds that Connecticut has used in recent years to shrink its considerable pension debt to mitigate the pain of federal cuts. But he also was careful not to rule anything out.
'Significant upheaval': Trump administration freezes $14 million for Connecticut schools

3 weeks ago | norwichbulletin.com | Keith Phaneuf

Days after reclaiming $155 million in public health aid to Connecticut, President Donald J. Trump’s administration has frozen roughly $14 million in funds earmarked for academic and other programs in Connecticut’s school districts. That $14 million includes approximately $9 million overseen by the state Department of Education, which then disburses funds to support various local programs. It also includes roughly $5 million already awarded to about 21 K-12 districts.