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Greenwich Delegation Decries Governor’s Proposal To Cut ECS Funding

GREENWICH, Conn. -- State Reps. Livvy Floren (R-149), Mike Bocchino (R-150) and Fred Camillo (R-151) are speaking out against Gov. Dannel Malloy’s proposal to completely cut Greenwich’s Education Cost Sharing funds.

State Reps. Livvy Floren (pictured), Mike Bocchino and Fred Camillo are strongly opposing Gov. Malloy's budget proposal, which would negate all of Greenwich's ECS funds.

State Reps. Livvy Floren (pictured), Mike Bocchino and Fred Camillo are strongly opposing Gov. Malloy's budget proposal, which would negate all of Greenwich's ECS funds.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The governor released his updated budget proposal on Tuesday afternoon. Under his new proposal, Greenwich went from receiving a recommended amount of $3,037,524 in ECS funding to $0 for 2016-2017.

Other towns in Fairfield County were also completely cut, including Darien, Fairfield and New Canaan.

The Greenwich delegation was quick to resoundingly criticize the cuts.

“We must keep in mind that this is only a proposal, but it is unfair to the town of Greenwich because they have already planned their budget around receiving the $3,037,524 in funding,” said Floren.

Camillo agreed.

“I understand that we are in a dire fiscal crisis and that tough decisions need to be made, however I cannot support such a drastic cut in ECS funding when the town has already budgeted under the assumption that we will be receiving the funds,” he said. “We will continue to work with our colleagues and to fight for the taxpayers that would be called upon to make up for this funding cut with additional taxes.”

Echoing the words of his colleagues, Bocchino, emphasizing that the proposal “would create a significant gap” in the town's budget, said he remains “committed to finding a solution with other members of the legislature to address this inequitable cut to our town.”

The 2016 Legislative session adjourns at midnight on May 4.

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