Bolinsky Says NO to State Budget Based on Faulty, Nebulous Numbers
HARTFORD- On May 3rd, State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-106 Newtown) voted against the Legislative Democrats’ budget which relies on one-shot revenue gimmicks and the raiding of off-budget accounts, saying it sets the stage for future tax increases and fuels the $1.4 billion projected out year deficit.
The Democrats’ budget also relies on the raiding of critical off-budget accounts, including:
- $20.5 million from road and bridge repair funding
- More than $20 million from the tobacco and substance abuse prevention fund
- $19.2 million from the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority
The House Republican Caucus proposed their own budget amendment, which reduces spending, restores funding for road and bridge repairs, increases municipal aid by $21 million, takes a step toward reducing long term liabilities and stays below the Constitutional Spending Cap.
Bolinsky, is a member of the legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations committee had the following statement after his ‘No’ vote, “I am more than a little disappointed by this revised budget and can’t wait to get back out into the district to show Newtown’s taxpayers some of the gimmicks and landmines that worry me. Ultimately, we’ve again managed to spend more than we will take in. In just the past few days, we have seen $462-million in anticipated surplus revenues “evaporate” because of a big shortfall in income tax and sales tax revenue. Today, the majority party invented $75 million of unverifiable “miscellaneous” revenue (yes, that’s how it’s identified in the budget) to “balance” the shortfall all of us Connecticut residents are left with.
How could such a massive shortfall happen so quickly? Ultimately, over the last three-years and also over the last 20-years, we’re the only state in the union with fewer jobs in in our economy than before. Fewer jobs and far too many skilled workers being underemployed are the result of our state’s restrictive business climate and high tax climate. And this leads to lower revenues. Today’s administration and the majority party have tried the tax and spend thing. Combined with trying to be everything to everybody and thinking that bigger government is somehow good for the free enterprise climate of our state, the status quo continues to bleed revenue, while increase cost to every taxpayer in the state.
We have to use the upcoming November elections to place ourselves on a new path and do more than just claim to be “open for business”. We have it in us to do so much better and to reverse the cycle of spending, taxing, shortfalls and borrowing. We owe it to ourselves and the next generation to put Connecticut back on solid, sustainable financial footing.
This budget is unsustainable yet, it just passed the House of Representatives along strict party lines. I voted no but really wanted to vote “Enough!” It’s time to understand that our great state is in financial distress and the current way we do business is the reason why. It is said that one definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and, somehow, expecting different results. Let’s get started on the road to change. November is every taxpayer’s chance to tell their government that it’s no longer acceptable practice to mortgage everyday operating expenses. It’s time to tell your government to spend no more than we take-in. It’s time to tell your government to cover unfunded liabilities and stop borrowing more than we can reasonably afford to repay.
It can’t be fixed overnight but…it’s time to start.”