By Keith M. Phaneuf

UPDATE: The legislature tonight overwhelmingly approved a new state budget shortly before their midnight deadline that restores aid for towns; reverses health care cuts for the elderly, poor and disabled; and defers a transportation crisis — at least for another year.

Legislative leaders share a light moment as they announce a budget deal. From left, Senate Republican leader Len Fasano, Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney, House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, Senate Majority leader Bob Duff and House Majority Leader Tom Ritter. Behind Klarides is House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Clarice Silber for CTMirror.org

The $20.86 billion package, which now moves to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s desk, does not increase taxes, though it does raise the maximum tax rate cities and towns can levy on motor vehicles. It also would spend rather than save more than $300 million from this April’s $1 billion surge in income tax receipts.

It does not include several major changes sought by Republicans to collective bargaining rules regarding state and municipal employees.

And while state finances are projected to face multi-billion-dollar deficits after the next election tied in part to legacy debt costs amassed over eight decades, the new budget would leave Connecticut with $1.1 billion in its emergency reserves.

By James Lomuscio

Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) tonight unanimously approved an $80,179,853 municipal budget for 2018-19, a .93 percent increase over the current year.

The Board of Finance recommended budget presented by finance board member Sheri Gordon faced no resistance, as it will assure a flat mill rate for the third year in a row — 16.86.

“A stable mill rate gives Westport a competitive advantage,” Gordon said. The finance board will formally set the mill rate on Wednesday, May 16.

At 16.86, Westport’s mill rate would be among the lowest in the state, according to RTM Deputy Moderator Jeff Wieser, chairman of the RTM Finance Committee. Neighboring Weston’s mill rate has been set at 28.91, Wilton’s, 27.77, he said.