(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed a declarationenabling the Connecticut General Assembly to adopt legislation appropriating the funding necessary to create an emergency state response reserve that will facilitate the state response to millions of dollars in federal cuts toward health and human services that are being made by President Trump and Congressional Republicans.

This includes cuts made through the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the impact of the ongoing federal government shutdown and future shutdowns, and any potential future federal reductions.

"Programs that support some of the most basic needs of our state's residents - such as healthcare, childcare, home heating assistance, and food and nutrition assistance - are at risk because of volatility being caused by the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans," Governor Lamont said. "Many states are confronting this instability being caused by our federal government, and here in Connecticut we will stand with our most vulnerable residents to ensure they have the basic support and assistance they need."

Some examples of items that could be supported by the state through this fund include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), healthcare, school meals, childcare, and housing assistance.

Governor Lamont noted that even though it appears that Congress may be at the cusp of ending the current federal shutdown over the next several days, that legislation only funds the federal government through the middle of January, at which point another shutdown could begin. A reserve such as this is necessary to position the state to immediately respond to another shutdown.

**Download: Declaration of the Existence of Extraordinary Circumstances