In his budget address to the joint chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly today Governor Ned Lamont outlined dozens of the recommendations contained in his biennial budget proposal, a number or which pertain to education. Among the governor’s proposals are expanded preschool access, free breakfast for students, additional funding for special education, and the elimination of certification fees for teachers.
Saying he is always sympathetic to smarter spending on Connecticut children, Lamont lauded the quality of Connecticut’s K-12 schools.
“Thank you to our teachers,” Lamont said to a standing ovation. “People come to this great state from all over for our teachers.”
“We appreciate the steps taken to improve education and the recognition that more investment is needed in our schools,” says CEA President Kate Dias. “However, the governor’s budget proposal falls short of the bold, immediate action needed to address the urgent crises of special education funding and the teacher shortage facing our state.”
Lamont is proposing the creation of a new Universal Preschool Endowment to be funded this year with $300 million of the state’s $443 million projected surplus. Future surpluses would also be directed to the Endowment.
With a 10% spend rate, Lamont said the Endowment would be able to spend $30 million next year and $60 million in fiscal year 2027, with the goal of providing preschool spaces at no cost to families earning up to $100,000.
“This fund will be a down payment on making preK and early childhood education affordable and accessible for all of our kids,” the governor said.
The governor also proposed eliminating certification fees, which currently cost educators $100 to $375.
“CEA has long advocated for universal preschool and welcomes an endowment plan to make that a reality,” Dias says. “The plan to eliminate licensing fees is a good first step, but it barely scratches the surface of the deeper challenges educators are facing every day. Without competitive salaries and real investments in teacher retention and recruitment, the pipeline of future educators will continue to dwindle, as fewer students choose to enter a profession that requires them to work two or three jobs to make ends meet.”
Hungry children aren’t able to learn, and Governor Lamont has proposed offering free school meals to students who currently qualify for reduced-price meals during the 2025-26 school year and providing universal school breakfast in 2026-2027.
With federal changes to immigration policy, Lamont recognized that fear is leading some families to keep children home from school.
“Our teachers don’t ask the immigration status of their students—teachers are pretty busy teaching,” he said. “I want all of our kids, regardless of your background, to feel safe in our schools.”
“Teachers are deeply concerned about the challenges surrounding immigration and strongly support increased efforts to tackle chronic absenteeism while ensuring our schools remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments for all students,” Dias says.
The governor’s budget proposal is the first volley in a months-long process by which the state arrives at its final budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Legislators will soon be holding public hearings to get feedback from constituents and will fashion their own budget proposal.
You have a chance to influence the legislative process this Saturday, February 8, by sharing your story with lawmakers at CEA’s Breakfast with Legislators. Come to the Legislative Office Building in Hartford for a unique opportunity to talk directly with legislators about what you and your students need to be successful.
Dias says, “We call on the governor and legislators to build on this proposal with bold, immediate action. Delaying solutions means more students missing out on essential services and more educators struggling to stay in a profession where they can’t afford to support themselves or their families. Our children deserve fully funded schools, strong special education services, and teachers in every classroom—and they deserve it now.