By Elizabeth Barhydt

Just before the stroke of midnight on Tuesday, June 3, the Connecticut General Assembly gave final approval to a $55.8 billion two-year budget, sending it to Governor Ned Lamont, who is expected to sign it.

The final vote—99-49 in the House came down largely along party lines, with two Democrats voting against. In the Senate the 25-11 vote was exactly along party lines.

Behind those numbers lies a deeper shift: a bipartisan experiment in fiscal discipline that began in 2017 has been partially undone.

The budget required 22 votes or more to pass in the 36-member Senate because state budget control changes must be approved in both chambers by at least a three-fifths margin.

For legislative Democrats, the budget is being hailed as a compassionate investment. It boost

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