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HB 5076

AN ACT CONCERNING THE REBASING OF THE EDUCATION COST SHARING GRANT FORMULA FOR PURPOSES OF PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mitch Bolinsky

Connecticut bill rebases education funding formula to shift state aid distribution, aiming to reduce local property taxes while restructuring how school districts receive state support.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Education
#educationequalization(educationcostsharing)
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Bill Summary · HB 5076

Legislative bill overview

HB 5076 proposes to rebase Connecticut's Education Cost Sharing (ECS) Grant formula, which determines how state education funding is distributed to local school districts. The bill aims to use this rebasing process to provide property tax relief to Connecticut residents by adjusting the methodology used to calculate aid allocations to municipalities.

Why is this important

Connecticut's school funding system significantly impacts local property taxes, as districts with lower state aid often rely more heavily on local property taxation to fund schools. Rebasing the ECS formula could shift the burden of education funding between state and local sources, potentially reducing property tax pressure in some communities while affecting state budget obligations and other districts' funding levels.

Potential points of contention

  • Winners and losers: Rebasing formulas creates winners and losers among districts—some communities would receive more state aid while others would receive less, raising equity concerns about which students are advantaged or disadvantaged
  • State budget impact: Increasing education aid to achieve property tax relief requires either increased state spending or reallocation from other state programs, which faces fiscal constraints
  • Formula methodology disputes: Different rebasing approaches (need-based, enrollment-based, equalization models) produce vastly different outcomes, and stakeholders disagree on what constitutes "fair" distribution of education dollars

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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