HARTFORD, Conn. — The state Bond Commission approved the spending of millions of dollars for high-priority projects on Friday, including schools, housing, and protecting houses of worship.
Projects funded by state-issued bonds are first approved by the General Assembly. The governor then decides when, or if, to place them on an agenda to be approved by the Bond Commission, which includes the Governor, members of the legislature’s Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee, and the heads of budgetary agencies.
The big item discussed at the commission’s final meeting of 2023 was the allocation of money to increase security at houses of worship and non-profits.
“I've seen the demonstrations,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “I've seen hate speech can sometimes turn into hate crimes and we're doing everything we can in the state of Connecticut to not allow that to happen.”
On Friday the commission approved 5 million dollars to fund another round of the state’s nonprofit security grant program, which offers funding to nonprofit organizations — including houses of worship — to cover the costs of security improvements like cameras, fencing and alarm systems.
Since it began in 2021, the program has provided grants to 237 organization including 129 houses of worship.
“These should be safe places where people feel safe and are safe. We're doing everything we can to make that real,” said the Governor.
The bond commission also allocated 150 million dollars for heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades in schools.
Michelle Gilman, Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services, said, “We think the funds that have already been put onto the ground, $56 million, is already making a valuable impact in our schools, and for our staff and students in those schools.”
Another round of additional funding Friday went to the state’s “Time to Own” program.
The extra 35 million dollars will support this first-time home buyer assistance program… which provides loans to eligible first-time homebuyers of up to $50,000… to help cover costs like down payments.
State Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno said, “We have several actually people sending us emails thanking us and the governor for this program, because they have been able to stabilize their income and the way that they paid, Now they're paying a mortgage, which is stable, where they were paying rents and the rents keep increasing.”
The program has already helped 2,574 families buy a home in the last year and a half, with another 600 families currently the process.
“I care deeply about the wealth gap, " Lamont said. "One of the best ways to deal with that is ownership. And nothing better than being able to own your own home and over a period of time watch that appreciate.”
The Housing Department says it's awarding an average of $30,000 to each family through Time To Own, and hopes this new round of funding will allow the to help another 1,000 families across the state.
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.