Politics & Government

House Passes State Budget, Likely Both Horse Guards Facilities Will Remain Open

Once the Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signs off on the budget, full funding will officially be restored to both Horse Guards units, keeping both open.

The latest version of the 2011-12 and 2012-13 state budget passed by the state Senate and House of Representatives bringing the First and Second Company Governor's Horse Guards a step closer to restored funding that will allow both facilities to remain in operation.

The House of Representatives approved the bill just before midnight late Tuesday, and once Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signs it and presents it to the legislature for final approval, it's official.

Maj. Michael Downes, commandant of the First Company in Avon, confirmed at midnight on Wednesday that this approval means that both Horse Guards facilities will likely remain in operation.

Find out what's happening in Avonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The spirit and enthusiasm of the people of Avon, their elected officials, and the surrounding communities has been overwhelming," Downes said. "Their incredible support has been essential and we owe them our thanks.  In particular, Sen. Kevin Witkos, Rep. Tim LeGeyt and Rep. Brian Becker should be thanked for their extraordinary efforts in working to make certain this important piece of state and national history was not lost."

Sen. Kevin Witkos (R-17) said he is glad the revised bill enables both Horse Guard units to stay open.

Find out what's happening in Avonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"While the state budget that has passed both the Senate and House leaves financial holes and establishes a great burden on taxpayers, it does, rightly, preserve a piece of Connecticut’s history," Witkos said. "The budget allocates adequate funding to support the Governor’s First and Second Company Horse Guard. I am so pleased that a compromise was reached to so that Avon and Newtown can continue on with a great tradition and service.”

Terri Wilson, president of the Avon Historical Society sent a letter to Malloy soon after hearing the news about the possible closure of the Avon facility. She was inspired by the support of the community, many sending letters and over 50 e-mailing the First Company to see how they could help keep the Avon site open.

"We in Avon fought hard to keep the First Company so they can continue to serve not only ceremonially but also the community that needs their help whether it’s the “Say Nay To Drugs” program or the riding program for children of our soldiers in action to the very important Community Emergency Response Team that is graduating tomorrow," Wilson wrote in an e-mail to Patch. "The Horse Guard volunteers are there to assist the community as needed."

She added that the Horse Guards partner with the historical society to promote local and state history, particularly through the lease of the historic Derrin House, which was formally used as the home for the horse caretaker and now is a Nineteenth Century Horse Guard barn. 

"The society was proud to participate in this endeavor to maintain the First Company Horse Guard funding and look forward to continued partnership with them," Wilson said.

The state Senate previously passed the bill early Tuesday morning, Downes said. While the bill does not specifically state the restoration of full funding, the increase in Military Department funding is hopeful.

The revised budget that the state Senate passed on funds the Military Department with $6,979,579 for fiscal year 2011-12 and $6,950,874 for fiscal year 2012-13. The initial budget summary that Malloy released in February lists the Military Department general fund budget as $6,900,947 for 2011-12 and $6,809,373 in 2012-13. The difference between the two numbers is $78,632 for 2011-12 and $141,501 for 2012-13. Those two numbers are exactly the amount that Malloy's February budget summary projected in Military Department savings for next year and the following year, respectively, if the state closed either the Avon or Newtown facility and consolidated the two companies.

Assuming that Malloy signs off on the budget, it appears that both Horse Guards facilities will continue to operate. However, Rep. Chris Lyddy (D-106), who was lobbying for the Second Company facility in Newtown to stay open, said that the compromise means looking at how the two outfits will operate in the future, including ways for them to fundraise and be more self-sufficient.

The news comes soon before many of First Company Horse Guards graduate Thursday from their equestrian search and rescue training to become the only fully operational horse-mounted search and rescue unit available to the entire state.

"We look forward to continuing to serve the people of the State of Connecticut with pride both in times of emergency and in ceremony," Downes said. 

Malloy said in a press release that while the budget as a whole was a tough vote, "it's also the right vote."

“With the passage of this budget by the Democrats in the House of Representatives, coming on the heels of yesterday’s passage by the Senate, Connecticut has taken another important step toward much-needed fiscal stability," Malloy wrote in the press release. "This budget is balanced, honest, and contains none of the gimmicks that helped get us into this mess.  It will provide the stability we need to foster much-needed job creation – which is everyone’s top goal."

He said that it is up to his administration to reach an agreement with state employees and "to present it to the legislature for ratification."

"I remain hopeful that we’ll get there. If we don’t, I remain committed to presenting an alternative budget to the General Assembly in the next couple of weeks," Malloy said in the press release. “Make no mistake: come July 1, Connecticut will have an honest, balanced budget in place.  No smoke, no mirrors.  A solid foundation for the future.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here