by Staff Report
HARTFORD, CT — State Rep. Tina Courpas, R-Greenwich, is the House Republicans’ pick to serve on Gov. Ned Lamont’s Blue Ribbon Commission on K-12 Funding and Accountability, according to Minority Leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford.
The commission will conduct a comprehensive review of Connecticut’s education funding system and issue recommendations to the governor and General Assembly. Its scope includes the state’s current funding landscape, models from other states, the primary cost drivers facing school districts, and proven strategies that have delivered better outcomes for students. Lamont’s Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Wagner will serve as the commission’s chair and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker was named vice chair.
“Tina has quickly established herself as one of our strongest voices on fiscal policy through her work on the Appropriations Committee, where she has developed a deep understanding of how state funding decisions ripple down to municipalities, taxpayers, and ultimately students,” Candelora said. “Her leadership last year on the Select Committee on Special Education gives her valuable perspective on one of the most pressing cost and equity challenges in K-12 education today.”
Courpas said the commission couldn’t be more timely.
“School budgets are escalating, the Education Cost Sharing formula is failing communities across Connecticut, and local property taxpayers are left holding the bill,” she said. “There is a way we can support robust funding of education in this state without ignoring the very real financial strain on the residents funding these local school systems.