Connecticut lawmakers recently cemented their priorities for the next two years with final passage of a $55.8 billion budget.

At the end of the 2025 legislative session, they were able to find money for Medicaid programs and invest in our children’s future, especially young children.

But some – mainly the minority in the state legislature – say that it comes at too high of a cost.

Today on the Wheelhouse, the “fiscal guardrails” have been breached and lawmakers will press forward amid a foggy federal funding landscape.

GUESTS:
Rep. Jason Rojas, Majority leader, CT House Democrats
Rep. Vin Candelora, Minority leader, CT House Republicans
Alex Putterman, Reporter, CT Insider
Michayla Savitt, State government reporter, CT Public

Connecticut lawmakers recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2025-06-04/connecticut-legislative-session-2025-budget-what-to-know">cemented their priorities</a>&nbsp;for the next two years with final passage of a $55.8 billion budget.
At the end of the 2025 legislative session, they were able to find money for Medicaid programs and invest in our children&rsquo;s future, especially young children.
But some &ndash; mainly the minority in the state legislature &ndash; say that it comes at too high of a cost.
Today on the Wheelhouse, the &ldquo;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2025-01-14/connecticut-fiscal-guardrails-explained">fiscal guardrails</a>&rdquo; have been breached and lawmakers will press forward amid a foggy federal funding landscape.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Rojas">Rep. Jason Rojas</a>, Majority leader,&nbsp;CT House Democrats</li>
<li><a href="https://www.cthousegop.com/candelora/">Rep. Vin Candelora</a>, Minority leader,&nbsp;CT House Republicans</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/alex-putterman/">Alex Putterman</a>, Reporter,&nbsp;CT Insider</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/michayla-savitt">Michayla Savitt</a>, State government reporter, CT Public</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.