Bolinsky Comments on Inaction of Appropriations Committee

Hartford – State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) participated in an Appropriations Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the Legislative Office Building. The major item on the committee’s agenda for the meeting was to take action on the legislature’s proposed state budget, produced by the Appropriations Committee. The committee failed to do so and leadership pulled its proposal without a vote.

“This is a poor reflection on the divisiveness of the legislative process. Despite being handed my budget book only a few hours before the scheduled vote, I could see many good policy moves in the proposal. However, because it did not address critical structural changes and clearly put us on a track to spend beyond our means, it was unaffordable as presented. In fact, it was so unaffordable that the Democrat Chairs could not even gather enough Democrat members’ votes to pass their own proposal. So, THEY BLEW IT UP and tried to place blame on Republican members of the committee and abruptly adjourned the meeting.

It was pretty shocking because we, and I, were prepared to deliberate, negotiate and work toward common ground that protects the core functions of government without another round of massive tax increases. For me, the tax increases are a complete no-starter.”

Bolinsky attributes the current deficit, and projected outyear deficit, to the Governor’s and legislative Democrats’ poor fiscal policies over the last five years, which have led to the two highest tax increases in state history. At his point in time, Connecticut is already facing a $3.7-billion deficit in the Governor’s pending two-year budget. State revenue numbers also indicate we’ll be $300 to $500-million short on income tax collections in 2017 alone.

“More tax increases and the crippling effect that they would have on Connecticut’s businesses and taxpayers will accelerate the state’s poor fiscal situation to a point of no return,” said Bolinsky. “I believe that additional taxes would serve as yet another tipping point for those who are considering leaving Connecticut and moving to a state with a lower tax burden. It’s already documented that a mass exodus of this kind will lead to another round of tax revenue shortfalls. We can’t spend and tax our way out of this spiral. It’s time for new thinking, leveraging technology and finding a sustainable mix of public and private service providers. People are sick and tired of the status quo and are ready to hold us accountable to balance our budgets and end the wasteful use of taxpayers’ hard-earned money.”

In the coming days the House and Senate Republicans are expected to release a proposed budget. However, Bolinsky noted that no-tax increase budget options have been presented by Republicans in the past.

“I have never supported a budget that increases taxes and I pledge to fight any attempt to do otherwise. We have new ideas in Blueprint to Prosperity – a five-year blueprint for Connecticut to gain fiscal stability – along with other budget proposals that restore the stability and predictability of the state’s finances.” explained Bolinsky. “It is my hope that a similar proposal will soon be available to offer as a solution to the inaction of the Appropriations Committee.”

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