Even as lawmakers in Congress were moving forward with a deal to reopen the federal government, state leaders stood by their plan Monday for an emergency fund designed as a response to the shutdown.

Gov. Ned Lamont will declare a fiscal emergency on Wednesday, paving the way for lawmakers to vote to set aside $500 million for the emergency fund.

Stream Connecticut News for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE

That fund would allow the state to pay for federal benefits that have been or could be frozen if the longest shutdown in U.S. history continues.

“We found that over the last month with the shutdown in particular, there’s been a lot of on again, off again -- a lot of risk to our citizens,” Lamont said during a news conference at the capitol.

Money in the fund could be used

See Full Page