We recently called for better funding of the state’s Payment In Lieu of Taxes program (PILOT) as a method of alleviating Connecticut’s worst-in-the-country property tax burden (see our August and October 2019 editorials). Therefore, it seems only proper for us to congratulate the General Assembly and Gov. Ned Lamont on their successful passage in March of the first major PILOT reform in decades.

The PILOT program compensates municipalities with state funds for two major types of real property tax losses. The State Property PILOT reimburses municipalities at a statutory rate of 45 percent for state-owned property, such as Department of Transportation garages, public colleges and universities, and state office buildings. The Private Colleges and Non-Profit Hospital PILOT reimbursement rate is set by statute at 77 percent.