Rina Petit

It's imperative for the state to increase school building aid. HB366 is a good start. Litchfield is on the wait list for a new elementary school. Construction costs have escalated due to COVID, supply chain disruptions, rising interest rates and inflation. With property tax rates among the very highest in the country, new school buildings are very challenging to get local approval. The state needs to step up even more than called for in HB366 and I hope consideration will be given to increasing the lowest percentage funded to 45%, incorporating higher construction cost calculations after the initial application submission...right up until town approval. Thank you.