May 2, 2025

Rep. Buchsbaum, CT House Republicans Unveil “Reality Check Budget” Focused on Affordability

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HARTFORD — State Representative Jason Buchsbaum (R-69) and House Republicans on Thursday released their “Reality Check Budget” — a responsible, common-sense plan that directly addresses the fiscal challenges within household budgets and state government. In contrast to the majority’s unchecked spending, the Reality Check Budget honors the fiscal guardrails and protects Connecticut’s long-term fiscal health while reducing the size and cost of government bureaucracy by $600 million.

“The proposal is a sustainable budget that recognizes the financial strain our hardworking residents and businesses have been under for the past few years. This plan would also reduce electric bills by beginning to remove the ‘public benefits’ charge. Lowering utility bills has been one of my top priorities since being sworn in as your state Representative and will continue to be a focus of mine during this legislative session,” said Rep. Jason Buchsbaum. “The proposal also includes $320 million possibly available for additional tax relief. Residents can choose on the website how they would spend the funds. Options include elimination of taxes on social security and removal of sales tax on children’s clothing, both proposals I introduced this year, as well as a number of other worthy options to bring relief to residents.”

The House Republican budget delivers relief to local property taxpayers by protecting state aid to municipalities—such as fully funding special education—which helps reduce what residents would otherwise owe in local property taxes. It lowers electric bills by reforming the “public benefits” charge and reforming a regulator-run program that forces customers to pay the utility bills of others. The plan also makes responsible financial choices, investing in essential government services while rejecting spending on fringe priorities like unnecessary bureaucratic positions.

The $54.4 billion two-year proposal was fully vetted by the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis. Unlike the proposal adopted by the majority on the Appropriations Committee, the budget from House Republicans is a true ways-and-means product in which spending aligns with revenue. The House Republican budget is $45.5 million under the spending cap in FY26, and $928.5 million under the spending cap in FY27. It spends $769.6 million less than the Governor’s budget proposal, and $1.285 billion less than the Appropriations Committee budget.

Among the provisions of the House Republicans’ Reality Check Budget:

Reduces electric bills by beginning to remove the “public benefits” charge
Eliminates the “Passport to Parks” fee on motor vehicle registration
A 5 percent across-the-board reduction to state agency operating costs
$137.5 million in Medicaid rate increases to support struggling healthcare providers

Imposes a two-year wage freeze on state employees, following four years of 33% salary increases, saving $330 million over two years
Reduces health insurance bills by removing administrative costs passed on to customers.
Supports contributions to pensions and debt to protect Connecticut’s fiscal future

The House Republican proposal, available at www.realitycheckct.com, allows residents to choose how they would use $320 million to provide tax relief.

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