Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy is to give his final State of the State address to lawmakers at the beginning their 2018 legislative session on Wednesday. The Democrat, who’s not seeking a third term, is expected to call for the return of highway tolls, spending cuts and a range of tax changes.
Among the changes is a provision to allow Connecticut municipalities to create charitable trusts for some local services. Malloy says the goal is to give state taxpayers an opportunity to get around the $10,000 limit on state and local property tax deductions in the new Trump tax law.
Malloy is also to call for a higher levy on cigarettes and for Connecticut to be the first state in the region to require a 25 cent per bottle deposit on wine and liquor.
The second year of Connecticut’s biannual budget is projected to be $266 million in deficit. Malloy says some cuts to state spending will be needed to help balance the budget.
Malloy is a lame duck, so it’s unclear how much legislative support he’ll have for his proposals. Last year lawmakers passed a Republican-backed budget with overwhelming bipartisan support, despite the Democratic governor’s objection.
Copyright 2018 WSHU
