Candelora: Malloy’s Budget Increases Spending

 

Candelora: Malloy’s Budget Increases Spending Questions Tax Hikes Without Spending Cuts

HARTFORD – State Representative Vincent J. Candelora of East Haven, North Branford and Wallingford expressed deep concern today about the levels of taxing and increased spending in Governor Dannel Malloy’s proposed budget. The proposed budget fails to curb state spending. “The governor proposed a budget today that actually increases the size of our state budget. This fiscal year the state budget is $19.3 billion. Governor Malloy’s proposal will put next year’s state budget at $19.7 billion and then onto $20.2 billion the following year. Is that a budget cut? Governor Malloy promised shared sacrifice, but where is the government sacrifice?” said Candelora The governor’s proposal spends $900 million more over the next two years, according to Malloy’s own budget director Ben Barnes. The budget relies on $3 billion tax hikes over the next two years and when the hospital taxes are accounted for, the state will see $4 billion in new taxes. Candelora expressed his disappointment that taxes were supposed to be a last resort. “Tax hikes on hair cuts, alcohol sales, clothing and gas hit Connecticut’s middle class the hardest,” said Candelora. “The middle class has already had to cut back. Increasing costs on these things will only hurt the small businesses that provide them.” Candelora praised Governor Malloy on several aspects of the proposal. “Governor Malloy stuck to his commitment not to use borrowing to fill our budget deficit. He also pushed for more rescission authority, which will allow the Executive Branch to make deeper cuts in spending. I'm also pleased to see he continues to support the adoption of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which will make government accounting more transparent,” said Candelora. Union contracts currently go into effect without the approval of the legislature. Candelora expressed his relief to hear the governor plans to include measures to increase accountability on these contracts and while pushing for $1 billion in union concessions. He was cautiously optimistic on these areas, but fears the governor missed what should have been a top priority of curbing the state government’s addiction to spending.