Posted on July 31, 2017
The most important job the Legislature has is to pass a budget. The entire Legislature was aware of the dire circumstances of Connecticut’s fiscal situation when we began the session in January.
My House Republican colleagues and I proposed a balanced budget in April and updated it numerous times as revenue projections changed. This budget includes a “hold-harmless” provision that will ensure towns will receive the same amount of state aid as they received in last year’s budget.
Unfortunately we have been blocked from debating our no tax increase budget proposal on the House Floor, or getting an up or down vote on the proposal. Read about our budget here.
I’m most worried for the taxpayers of South Windsor because there does not seem to be any sense of urgency from the majority party even though, town budgets across the state rely heavily on state funding especially for education. This inaction has and will continue to hurt the most vulnerable among us, municipalities, education and virtually every person in Connecticut.
As the former Mayor of South Windsor, I understand the catastrophic effect this inaction and lack of fiscal stability is having on our town, and as an end result all the people of Connecticut. I can’t help but wonder how this prolonged delay in acting on a state budget will impact the start of the school year.
I am ready to vote on a budget today, tomorrow or any time. It’s time to discuss, debate, amend and vote on a budget.