Sen. Jeff Gordon Continues Fight for Critical Special Education Funding, Securing $40 Million for Municipalities

HARTFORD, CT – During yesterday’s senate session, Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock) voted in favor of legislation to provide an additional $40 million in special education funding for the remainder of the current fiscal year, while also co-introducing an amendment to fund an extra $92.2 million for the remainder of the fiscal year, which is nearly all the special education excess costs and within the state spending cap. While Democrats unfortunately voted down this amendment to provide the $92.2 million funding, the $40 million secured represents a crucial step toward alleviating the rising costs of special education in Connecticut’s towns and cities.

“Our communities need this funding immediately to support the growing demand for special education services,” said Sen. Gordon. “First, the Legislature and I voted for $40 million last week. Then, the Governor vetoed the funding. Yesterday, I voted to restore the $40 million because our schools and special needs children cannot wait for relief. Towns are struggling now to meet the escalating costs of special education, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they have the resources to do so.”

Sen. Gordon’s vote reflects his ongoing commitment to securing immediate support for special education programs across the state, especially in Northeast and North Central Connecticut.

“Special education costs are growing at an unsustainable rate, and towns are being forced to make tough choices that hurt students and taxpayers alike,” said Sen. Gordon. “This funding provides immediate relief to our municipalities and gives our schools the resources they need to continue providing quality education services to all students.”

Sen. Gordon has long been a strong advocate for increasing public education and special education funding. He has also worked on legislation, including S.B. 590 which he sponsored, to address escalating special education costs and provide more effective, sustainable solutions for school districts.

“Today’s vote helps ensure that our schools can better meet the needs of students with disabilities without forcing towns to raise taxes or cut funding to other critical services in order to pay for it. We must continue to advocate for common sense solutions that provide lasting, sustainable support for public education.  I am working in a bipartisan way to do that,” said Sen. Gordon.

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