Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy’s determination to build on his signature legislative achievement last year–an education package worth about $100 million–now faces hurdles as the state’s leaders address a $1.5 billion budget shortfall.
Last year’s legislative package set up several initiatives including a network to aid underperforming schools, statewide teacher evaluations and more spending on new state charter schools.
Mr. Malloy, a Democrat, wants to spend another $61 million to further expand those programs over the next two fiscal years. But the appropriations committee, controlled by the governor’s fellow Democrats, wants to reduce that amount by $47 million and shift that money to other education pursuits such as after-school programs and health clinics based at schools.