Gov. Ned
Lamont has revealed his plan on how he wants to spend the more than $2.5
billion given to Connecticut from the new
American Rescue Plan.
Officials say half
of it will plug the state budget, and some of it will go toward fighting the pandemic.
"We have a
plan in place that's going to make sure this money makes a lasting difference
for the people hardest hit by COVID," Lamont says.
"First of
all, we will finish the job on COVID. We will continue our vaccine program and
continue to provide testing in our hardest-hit communities," says Dr.
Deidre Gifford, the acting public health commissioner.
Lamont wants to
use more than $200 million to expand child care,
including free summer learning programs. He also wants to offer free apprenticeship and job training
programs at community colleges.
There's even more
money for mental health.
"This
governor has put forth a plan that allows for Connecticut's children to thrive.
They are smart; they are beautiful. They are resilient, regardless of their ZIP
code, regardless of their skin color," says Vanessa Dorantes, the children
and families commissioner.
There's also $500,000,000 for small businesses and grants for cities.
That money will be
divided up and go to:
- $150 million fund for small business grants and loans
(50% earmarked for businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans and
those with disabilities)
- $150 million for Innovation Corridor projects
- $100 million for CT Community Challenge (competitive
grants for towns and cities to create transit-oriented livability
projects)
- $103 million for workforce training
- Additional money for green energy jobs
The Lamont
administration predicts it could keep or create 80,000 jobs.
"I want to
make sure that at the end of Year Three, we're proud of the investments we
made. We can point to a difference we made in people's lives. I don't want
anyone saying, 'What happened to the money?'" says Lamont.
State lawmakers
will decide how all this money gets spent. They'll get the governor's full plan
on Monday and have a month to make any changes.