Vincent Candelora

CT House Republicans Unveil “Pathway to Affordability” Budget Plan

HARTFORD—House Republicans on Tues­day released a budget adjustment plan for the second year of the state budget through a series of policies aimed at making Connecticut more affordable, lowering household costs, easing property tax pressures, and addressing the school funding crisis facing communities across the state. The $27.9 billion plan, called “Pathway to Affordability,” is balanced, provides more than $400 million in tax relief, falls $167 million under the state spending cap, and spends less than the governor’s budget proposal and the product advanced by Appropriations Committee Democrats. “Connecticut is staring down a projected budget deficit that could grow worse before it gets better, and the majority’s answer is to spend more and hope for the best,” said House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford). “That’s not a strategy—that’s a recipe for the next tax hike. Our plan keeps us under the spending cap and puts real money back in people’s pockets, whether through their property tax bills­ or their insurance premiums." School Taxpayer Relief & Affordability Plan (STRAP) The centerpiece of the House Republican proposal is the School Taxpayer Relief and Affordability Plan, or STRAP—a $365 million investment distributed to every city and town in Connecticut to help offset surging education costs and reduce the burden on local property taxpayers. “Here’s the reality: Connecticut is underfunding education, using a fatally flawed formula, which has not kept up with what it actually costs to educate a child, and towns are left making up the difference,” said Rep. Tammy Nuccio (R-Tolland), House Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee. “STRAP distributes $365 million to every Connecticut community on a proportional basis—using the same percentage each town already receives from the $2.3 billion ECS program. It would mean actual tax relief for our communities, and it’s built into the budget so it’s sustainable. It’s a solution that towns can actually plan around, so they’re not constantly scrambling or raising taxes just to keep schools running. We will continue the necessary work to fix this, but in the meantime, our proposal keeps these funds there until the legislature fixes the broken ECS formula once and for all.” The “Pathway to Affordability” plan includes a broad range of tax and fee relief: Increase the state’s maximum property tax credit to $650 and expand income eligibility, extending relief to 800,000 filers Curb healthcare costs by reducing a state levy on insurance companies ($20 million) that has been passed on to consumers in their monthly premiums Eliminate income tax on all Social Security benefits Eliminate the sales tax on children’s clothing Enact a “no tax on tips” exemption Reduce the sales tax on vehicles priced between $50,000 and $75,000 from 7.75% to 6.35%--because the cost of vehicles has risen sharply in recent years, and what once seemed like a luxury price point now covers everyday family minivans and work trucks Eliminate fees on certain occupational licenses Remove the “Passport to Parks” fee from motor vehicle registrations Ease local tax burden by providing $2.5 million to help municipalities cover early voting costs “Connecticut is already one of the most expensive states in the country to live in, and our residents feel it every single month,” said Rep. Joe Polletta (R-Watertown), House Ranking Member of the Finance Committee. “The relief we’re proposing isn’t a one-time check or a political stunt. It’s built into the budget, which means it’s sustainable. Democrats have floated ideas that rely on volatile, one-time revenues. That’s not a plan, that’s a gamble with people’s money. We’re done gambling.” The plan is funded through new revenue and spending discipline, including: Recover $340 million by challenging New York’s “convenience of employer” rule, which forces roughly 80,000 Connecticut residents who work remotely for New York employers and pay income taxes to New York at rates higher (10.9% top rate) than they would pay here at home (6.99% top rate). The plan includes $1 million to help these workers file legal challenges against New York’s policy. Save $153 million by budgeting state employee positions based on realistic hiring trends rather than funding all vacancies at once Save $61 million by eliminating state-funded health insurance for undocumented immigrants, who retain access to care through Federally Qualified Health Centers Removes 25% of double-funding of ECS grants to municipalities, saving $29 million Save $12 million by reducing legislative earmarks Save $3.5 million by eliminating inmate text messaging Among our targeted investments in public safety and human services: $3.2 million to expand the CRISIS program helping police respond to and de-escalate situations involving individuals experiencing mental health or substance abuse crises $1.5 million for domestic violence shelters Provides funding to hire investigators for Medicaid Fraud Control $2.4 million to increase provider rates for Birth-to-Three child development services Creates an income tax deduction (up to $2k) for volunteer firefighter and EMS personnel

Candelora Talks Economy, Trades, Marine Trades Association

House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora was the featured speaker at a recent "Industry Day" Legislative Forum sponsored by the Connecticut Marine Trades Association. Candelora discussed the current 2026 legislative session and the uncertainty now surrounding state finances. He also spoke about the impact on business. “We very much appreciate that Rep. Candelora took the time out of his busy schedule to talk to our members. As a small business owner, Rep. Candelora knows all about the challenges, and opportunities, which our members have,” said Tasha Cusson, president of the CMTA. CMTA’’s “Industry Day” event brought recreational boaters and affiliated maritime businesses to Old Saybrook on March 26. "I'm honored to be invited to speak with the Association. From marinas and boatyards to yacht brokers, technicians, and electronics experts, CMTA represents the full spectrum of Connecticut's recreational boating industry," Candelora said. "This is a skilled workforce that supports good-paying jobs and drives real economic activity across our state. Connecticut's marine trades sector is a critical, and it deserves a voice in the conversation about growing our state's economy."

Candelora, Carney Statement on Government Accountability Bills

HARTFORD-House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) and State Rep. Devin Carney (R-Old Saybrook), House Ranking Member of the Government Oversight Committee, released the following statement Tuesday following action from the Government Oversight Committee's advancement of bills aimed at improving government accountability: "Connecticut residents have had a front-row seat to a troubling series of headlines, including a school construction bribery scandal, a federal investigation into state funding set aside for nonprofit organizations, an upcoming Medicaid fraud trial, and a college system chancellor who burned through taxpayer dollars on lavish spending while collecting a $400,000 salary. Concerns about the lax vetting of budgetary earmarks have only added to the frustration. Today's action by the Government Oversight Committee contains some positive news that frustrated taxpayers deserve, advancing legislation that includes Republican concepts to improve transparency and accountability in state government. It's critical that Republican proposals remain a central part of this reform effort, because the abuses and controversies that made change necessary in the first place are the direct result of lax oversight by the Lamont administration." Republican lawmakers this session have offered a variety of proposals to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in state government, including the re-establishment of the Program Review and Investigations Committee and elements of earmark reform covered by legislation from the Lamont administration.

Candelora, House GOP Gives Voice to Residents Frustrated by Hearing

House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora was joined by House and Senate GOP caucus members for a news conference to spotlight the decision by majority party Democrats to hold public hearings on three controversial pieces of legislation in a single day--particularly proposals attacking religious freedom and educational choices made by parents.

CT 26: Bottle Redemption, Earmarks, and More

House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora covered a variety of subjects during a recent stop to WFSB 3's studios for a taping of CT 26: The state's problems with bottle redemptions, transparency and accountability in budgetary earmarks, and even local education funding.