Klarides Says Approval of GOP Budget Signals New Direction for Connecticut
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HARTFORD – Following the stunning bipartisan vote on the state budget to approve the Republican budget, House Republican Leader Themis Klarides hailed the passage of the bipartisan package by a 78-72 margin at 1:44 a.m. early Saturday morning in the House, and urged Gov. Malloy to reconsider his threatened veto avert the massive cuts Democrats will inflict on Connecticut schools on Oct. 1, absent a two-year tax and spending plan and sign the measure.
"This is the first step toward getting the state back on sane fiscal footing and putting Connecticut back on the road to solvency," Klarides said. "We owe it to the state of Connecticut to act and have the Governor sign this bipartisan legislation," Klarides said.
The Republican budget does not raise taxes, restores funding for schools and towns and protects municipal aid. Klarides praised the five Democrats who joined the GOP to produce the bipartisan solution.
Three Democratic Senators voted for the Republican plan earlier in the day. The House then voted 78-72 to approve the budget. It is also restores deep cuts for social services.
The Republican plan includes no new taxes, restores education funding and preserves municipal aid.
"It took months to get to this point, and despite the time needed to get this point by the legislature, we have reached another level. Now we wait for the Governor," Klarides said.