Governor Ned Lamont says his budget proposal is anchored in five priorities:  Defeating COVID-19, investing in infrastructure, modernizing state government, an economy that works for all and creating a more affordable Connecticut through investment in education, support to small businesses and workforce development.

With many urban schools crowded and their suburban schools with extra capacity, Lamont is proposing an expansion of the open choice program, starting with Norwalk and Danbury.  He says kids can go to school in a more diverse environment with greater opportunity. The budget provides $275,000 in the first year and $900,000 in the second for a pilot program for 50 students from each municipality in the 2022-2023 school year.

The state pays between $3,000 and $8,000 per participant, depending on the number of children in the program compared to students in the district, according to the Open Choice website.