Candelora: State Taxes the Highest In Nation

As Connecticut residents finished submitting their federal and state taxes this week, Deputy House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-86) said today that if taxpayers felt an extra large pinch in their wallets this year it should be no wonder – the State of Connecticut now has the distinction of having the highest tax burden per capita of any state in the nation. “When Governor Malloy and the legislative Democrats rammed through a $1.8 billion tax increase on Connecticut residents last year, coupled with nearly $1 billion in new spending, this is the natural result,” said Rep. Candelora. “This administration has taken our state in the opposite direction of all other states in the U.S. by increasing taxes and making government bigger while others cut taxes and streamline government. Because of this, we are paying more than ever while government gives us less than ever.” Candelora cited the reputed Tax Foundation and their calculated figures for this year which show that Connecticut has the latest Tax Freedom Day®, or the day of the year when state residents on average have earned enough money during the year to pay their combined state, federal and local taxes, and begin to keep what they earn. Connecticut’s Tax Freedom Day® has been calculated as May 5th this year, later than all other states. When you figure in the state’s poor business climate, the situation darkens said Candelora, who also serves on the state’s Business Tax Review Committee. According to the Tax Foundation, Connecticut ranked 40th among all states in having a business friendly tax climate. “While it is hard enough on taxpayers to pay more and more taxes while significant numbers of state residents remain out of work or underemployed, it is compounded by the fact that the punishing climate this state has created for business is seriously slowing the state’s economic recovery,” said Rep. Candelora. The Tax Foundation is a nonpartisan educational organization which exists to give taxpayers information about sound tax policy. They can be found at www.taxfoundation.org.