Bolinsky, Sredzinski and Hwang Applaud Blueprint for Prosperity

Scraps Malloy Unbalanced Budget, Restore Cuts, Reform Taxes and Government Spending Honest, Under the Cap

HARTFORD – State Reps. Mitch Bolinsky (R-106), J.P. Sredzinski (R-112) and State Sen. Tony Hwang (R-28) today threw their full support behind a state budget plan, a Blueprint for Prosperity, which, is balanced under the spending cap, restores vital social service programs for the neediest and reforms taxes, while instituting major government reforms to save hundreds of millions in the coming two years.

Highlights that differ from the Governor’s budget proposal include:

• Restoration of critical human services safety net funding for Connecticut’s most vulnerable citizens
• Restores $18.7 million in mental health and substance abuse funding including Regional Action Councils
• Restores funding for Seniors’ nutritional assistance program and maintains existing respite care programs
• Funding restoration for the Humanities and Tourism, including libraries, regional tourism districts, local venues and artisan groups
• Restores Medicaid Husky A to approximately 12,100 people including all pregnant women currently covered and those at lower end of the income spectrum
• Fully funds a $67 billion transportation improvement initiative over the next 30 years and protects the Special Transportation Fund
• Appropriates an additional $15 million to help alleviate DDS wait list for services for intellectually disabled
• Funds a private provider Cost of Living Increases (COLA) to keep nursing homes, care facilities and nonprofit social services providers whole
• Restores funding for Veteran’s funeral honor guard

The goal of the Blueprint for Prosperity is to stop kicking the can down the road and begin to reform state government to set Connecticut on a better path for smarter spending today and in the future.

Rep. Bolinsky said, “I’m excited about our new blueprint on many levels!  First, it proves, once and for all, that Connecticut can actually serve its taxpayers well, restore and provide critical services without increasing taxes, or depending on casinos or tolls to balance its budget; Second, it offers a sustainable starting point to stem the tide of ever-increasing business and health care taxes, thereby setting the table for our state to retain good employers and again attract new companies and jobs to the Nutmeg State and; Third, by acknowledging and adopting a new standard for living within our means, this plan also positions us to begin chipping away at our state’s staggering debt and unfunded liabilities.”  He further reflected: “I hope we are able to find bi-partisan common ground in the coming days to take the best parts of this very transparent plan and merge them with the best ideas from the other budget proposals coming to the table.  There’s a lot at stake for the state.”

“I am proud of the work we have done on this budget proposal as it reflects the core principles that guide my philosophy of representing my constituents — to exert the same fiscal discipline that our families demonstrate every day, while ensuring that we live up to our responsibility to protect and support the most vulnerable among us,” Sen. Hwang said. “Faced with a difficult budget reality we were forced to make difficult decisions, again though, we were able to come up with a proposal that truly will put our great state on a better path to prosperity. I’m confident that the legislative body will now work together in a bipartisan manner to finalize a budget that everyone can support.”

In addition to restoration of Governor Malloy’s draconian budget cuts, Republican lawmakers provide some much needed tax relief. The budget plan calls for restoring the exemption on clothing and shoes under $50 starting June 1, 2016 and restoring full tax freedom week. Additionally, the plan phases out the income tax on pension income under $100,000 and eliminates governor’s proposed income tax hike on single filers beginning in income year 2017.

Rep. Sredzinski said, “There’s no question that the budget provided to the legislature from the Governor was irresponsible and fundamentally flawed. Although there will never be a perfect budget presented that will make everyone happy, the Republican proposal funds desperately needed programs without raising taxes.”

The budget savings from the Blueprint for Prosperity is achieved by requiring Governor Malloy to fulfill his 2011 ‘shared sacrifice’ promise and find a way to reach $253 million in unmet savings. Republicans recommend Governor Malloy institute an additional wage freeze in the first year of the biennium, increase contributions to pension system for current state employees; increase copays for healthcare, including prescription drugs, and eliminates existence of longevity payments.