The General Assembly is deliberating the biennial budget, hoping to reach an agreement in the coming weeks on spending for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. Unlike any budget year in memory, they are doing so in the context of the threat of unprecedented federal funding cuts and a shaky economy that could have a devastating impact on people across Connecticut, including on the community nonprofits that serve the most vulnerable in our state.

It’s understandable that some believe the current climate means the state should dig in, backfill federal cuts only and protect the reserves we have. But there are two good reasons that make this the right time to go a step further and make investments in health and human service programs that help Connecticut’s people keep their heads above water and healthy.

First, after more than a decade of underfunding, nonprofit community programs are already closing and waiting lists are growing. Federal cuts would exacerbate an existing crisis, turning it into disaster for thousands of people here.

And to be clear, community nonprofits are not charities. They are highly skilled organizations that contract with the state to provide vital services, including mental health and addiction treatment, day and residential programs for people with disabilities, shelter for families, and support for skill training and job search for people leaving incarceration.

Second, if the economy slows and heads towards recession, the needs of residents will go up;  recessions are when services are most needed.  Fears of a recession should not mean Connecticut holds off on spending on programs that serve our most vulnerable people. A failure to invest in community nonprofits will limit access to vital services.

Today there is more than $4 billion in Connecticut’s “Rainy Day Fund.”  A projected surplus this fiscal year of $1.8 billion will bring the total to more than $6 billion.  It’s time to use those taxpayer funds to support programs that support Connecticut’s residents. This isn’t just a rainy day – it’s already storming and federal cuts would make it a monsoon.

Our state has a bipartisan history of caring. We appreciate that all sides of the budget discussions are looking for the best way to help people. But it is not the time to acquiesce in advance to federal cuts, it is a time to make sure they don’t worsen current problems.

More than a half-million Connecticut residents depend on community nonprofits. Tens of thousands of residents work to serve them.  Our state leaders need to meet the challenges for those vulnerable people by responding to the existing crisis and anticipating any federal spending cuts with investment