May 17, 2017

No-Tax-Increase Budget Revision

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Yesterday, I along with my fellow House Republican colleagues released a revised no-tax-increase budget plan in response to our state’s spiraling decline in tax revenues. Connecticut now faces a $5.1 Billion budget deficit, according to the state’s own consensus revenue reporting. That’s staggering and, because the numbers came in worse than expected, my caucus’ budget required adjustments beyond the plan we unveiled at the end of April.

The important details of our new budget are as follows:

No tax increases. No tolls. Ours is the only proposal that does not hit you for more money and will mark beginning of policies to end and, in-time, reverse Connecticut’s current flight of taxpaying residents to lower tax states.
Our budget holds Newtown’s state grants and education aid at current levels.
My colleagues and I are vehemently opposed to local taxpayers funding the state’s underfunded, mismanaged teacher’s pension fund. We want retired teachers to be made whole to the state’s promise but, we in Newtown did not create the problem and should not be forced to assume this $4-Million budgetary bite, as proposed by the Governor and Legislative Democrats.
A tighter state bond cap, limiting the amount of debt accrued on the state credit card. We don’t place today’s fiscal problems on the next generation.
A serious streamlining of government agencies. I’ve been talking about structural change for five years. This is where it begins; by creating a more efficient, responsive, smarter and less bureaucratic state for the future.

More details can be found by clicking here.

This proposal is similar to the one introduced in April, but the larger deficit required the reallocation of funds and minor tweaks to balance. Compared to the other proposals on the table, this is the only viable path to economic recovery.

The governor’s proposal steamrolls cities and towns and attempts to zero out state aid to Newtown. What the heck is this man thinking? Further, our plan continues to reject the governor’s use of communities like ours as his personal piggy banks for the states poor fiscal management.

Legislative Democrats are leaning on gambling and legalizing marijuana to close the growing deficit. While I am open to a discussion on the merit of either, it is clear that depending on those two entities for revenue is not sustainable.

The negotiations are slated to begin today among leadership. I appreciate your questions and thoughts on the state budget, and would like to continue to hear from you. I can always be reached at Mitch.Bolinsky@housegop.ct.gov or by calling 860-240-8700.