Keith M. Phaneuf / CT Mirror

The Democratic-controlled Senate voted along party lines to adopt the $55.8 billion two-year budget, which now heads to Gov. Ned Lamont for his expected signature. But the plan still may be tweaked before the General Assembly adjourns because of problems with a related hospital tax increase.

The plan scales back increases to health care providers and reforms the state's "fiscal guardrails."

Talk of abandoning the two-year cycle — a planning tool enacted in 1991 to temper public frustration over the newly created state income tax — drew criticism from Gov. Ned Lamont, who said legislators need to provide a long-range plan that would give predictability to municipalities and taxpayers.

Gov. Ned Lamont declares the state's first spending cap emergency since 2007.

CT still faces a landmark debate over budget controls in the next few years.

It’s unclear whether officials will tap into a $2.3 billion windfall to mitigate cuts in federal aid.

Plan delays employee raises and big bump in Medicaid rates.

Lamont remains wary about progressive CT tax hikes.

Governor Ned Lamont opposes Democrats in the General Assembly who want to provide an addition $40 Million in special education funding in this year's budget.

Gov. Ned Lamont’s budget proposal would keep Connecticut on pace to dramatically accelerate the rebuilding of its aging highways, bridges and rail lines.But that increase also could leave the transportation program needing new revenues. And some legislators are exploring new ways to pay for it — including a potential surcharge on certain delivered goods.