“It’s decision time,” Lembo said. “Our state economy is showing signs of recovery from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but without a significant investment from the federal government, those gains may slip away, and Connecticut families and businesses will suffer.” The state has recovered more than 100,000 jobs that were lost when the pandemic struck in mid-March or shortly thereafter, according to the comptroller. But jobless levels remain near record-highs and overall employment remains down 172,000 positions from one year ago. Congress has approved four rounds of pandemic relief, but Capitol Hill has been stuck in partisan gridlock for months over the prospect of a fifth package. Lembo said another wave of federal pandemic relief is crucial for Connecticut, and the nation, to survive an economic slump. Despite the uncertainty of more federal relief, Connecticut is better poised than many other states to face a recession. On paper, the state finished the 20119-20 fiscal year on June 30 with a $128.1 million deficit, Lembo wrote.
Lembo: CT’s economic gains could slip away soon without more federal aid