Connecticut is at a crossroads. At a time when families are being squeezed by higher costs, federal programs are shrinking, and communities are stretched thin, our state is sitting on nearly $2 billion in excess taxpayer dollars. This is money that has already been collected, money that exists because working people have done their part. The question is whether those dollars will be invested back into our schools, health care, child care, and public services—or whether they will be locked away and funneled into Wall Street’s accounts.

Last spring, legislators acknowledged that Connecticut’s overly restrictive fiscal policies were leaving families behind. They made an important shift, moving $600 million away from automatic savings and into the General Fund to create a cushion against federal cuts. Since the legislature adjourned in June, another $1.3 billion has been uncovered, bringing the total opportunity to nearly $2 billion. These aren’t theoretical numbers or future projections. They’re real resources that can be directed right now into the things people depend on.

The problem is that under the state’s current rules, those dollars are automatically slated to disappear into debt payments. It’s not that Connecticut doesn’t already pay its bills—we do, and we do so at a pace that is faster and more aggressive than nearly any other state in the country. What’s happening now goes beyond responsible budgeting. We are putting billions into the hands of bondholders while leaving classrooms overcrowded, nursing homes understaffed, and working families without a safety net.

That choice is not inevitable. Lawmakers can declare extraordinary circumstances and call a special session to redirect this money where it is most urgently needed. Doing so would give Connecticut a chance to soften the blows of federal cutbacks, protect residents from skyrocketing health care costs, and keep essential programs alive. The opportunity is on the table, but it requires action.

The reality is that cuts are already beginning to ripple through. Nearly 186,000 residents are at risk of losing Medicaid coverage. One in five nursing homes nationwide could close their doors. Families using Access Health CT are staring at health insurance premium hikes that will more than double, with private insurers and hospitals shifting costs across every American. School districts across Connecticut stand to lose more than $53 million in federal funding next year. 

Food assistance is also under threat. Roughly 10% of Connecticut relies on SNAP to put food on the table, but new federal requirements could strip away benefits. At the same time, changes to Pell Grants and student loans will make it harder for Connecticut families to send their kids to college. These aren’t distant concerns—they’re urgent problems already arriving at our doorstep.

That is why people across the state are calling on lawmakers to reconvene. And it’s why you can play a direct role in making sure they hear this message. By scanning the QR code provided, you’ll be asked to type in your information. Almost instantly, your phone will ring, and you’ll be connected directly with your state representative and senator. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to make your voice heard, even if you just leave a voicemail. You don’t need to deliver a speech. Just a simple, clear message: that you want them to come back into session and commit these dollars to the people who need them most.

Connecticut cannot afford to wait years until the next regular budget session. Families are already making impossible choices. Seniors are already going without the care they need. Students are already losing out on opportunities. Every month that passes makes these problems harder to fix. Lawmakers need to be reminded that their job is not just to protect bond ratings but to protect people. Delay isn’t neutral—it has consequences that ripple through every corner of the state.

Connecticut has the money. Families have the need. The time to act is now.