Face the Facts

Republican lawmakers say the cost of living is the number one concern they hear from CT residents. Sen. Ryan Fazio (R- Greenwich) discusses how his party wants to tackle it, even amid potential complications created by new tariffs.

We learned this week that Connecticut is losing $155 million in federal grants as a part of the cost cutting that’s being done in Health and Human Services in Washington. They say it’s unused federal pandemic money.

How is it possible that our community colleges are sitting on $1.1 billion in reserve funds? Connecticut Bureau State Budget guru Keith Phaneuf is here to help us with the math.

CT Mirror budget reporter Keith Phaneuf discusses the revelation that the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system is sitting on a budget reserve large enough to cover about half of its operating budget.

The $150 million cut in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services will impact things like preventative screenings for newborns and health disparity programs.

Has there ever been a time when how we fund education has been in a brighter spotlight? Cities and towns are calling for more funding from the state. Add to that the uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s executive order calling for the closure of the U.S. Department of Education.

Rising costs of Medicare and Medicaid…Cities and towns say they’re underfunded by $400 million collectively when it comes to their education costs. So how can we solve all this? There is a lot to balance when it comes to balancing a budget.

How will the U.S. Department of Education shutdown affect Connecticut? Sen. Doug McCrory (D-Hartford) talks about how lawmakers and educators are preparing.

Cities and towns say they’re underfunded by $400 million a year because of the way the state funds education. Does that mean lawmakers are gearing up for a fight over the state’s spending rules?

Solving the housing crisis in Connecticut is one of the biggest challenges we’ve had year after year, and now both market rate and affordable housing options are very much in short supply.

Rep. John Larson (D) – 1st District joins Mike Hydeck on Face the Facts to discuss concerns about DOGE transparency.

Can cities and towns take the lead when it comes to the affordable housing crisis in our state? For the most part, they haven’t. Erin Boggs, executive director of the Open Communities Alliance, explains her organization’s plan.

Rep. John Larson (D-1st District) discusses his concerns about transparency at DOGE, which led to a shouting match during a committee meeting in Washington this week. He also addresses his concerns about the future of Medicaid and Medicare under the current administration.