OPINION: Blueprint for Prosperity vs. Democrats’ Tax Hikes

Two weeks ago, my Republican colleagues and I unveiled our budget remedy entitled Blueprint for Prosperity in response to Governor Malloy's proposed budget which used borrowed money to balance the budget, violated the spending cap, and indiscriminately eliminated vital services such as the probate courts and programs for the developmentally disabled.   Our plan is balanced, under the spending cap, restores vital social service programs for the neediest, and reforms taxes, including the elimination of taxes on retirement income; all while instituting government reforms to save hundreds of millions in the coming two years. Our budget will benefit multiple socioeconomic groups and does so without relying on revenues from taxes. In essence, Governor Malloy and the Democrats in Hartford have failed to put forth responsible solutions for the long-term success of our state. The people of Connecticut deserve better in every respect. Taxpayers can no longer afford for Republicans to not be a part of the budget-making process. The Republican Blueprint for Prosperity is the right step to push our state towards the economic growth that our families and businesses need to prosper. Our balanced proposal should not be dismissed. Earlier this month, the Democrats who control the legislature’s committees on Finance and Appropriations produced a budget proposal that would eliminate many of the state’s sales tax exemptions and increase income taxes in a way that would cripple Connecticut’s middle class families and businesses. Their plan relies on a drastic reinterpretation of the constitutional spending cap to allow them to increase spending by almost 8 percent. Just like you, I too am concerned with a plan that outspends and consists of unacceptable tax increases. I found it most offensive that all of these taxes were proposed without a public hearing so people had no opportunity to testify on its impacts. The plan proposes a $2 billion tax hike during a time when many of Connecticut’s residents are struggling just to make ends meet.  Thanks to a $3 billion tax increase that was passed just four years ago, families and businesses are already moving out of Connecticut in droves. Another nonsensical tax hike will only add to this prevalent issue.  There is no doubt in my mind that we do need to restore critical funding. However, increasing taxes for everyone in Connecticut is not the answer. To think that the solution to balancing our state’s finances is simply more taxes is just plain offensive to the taxpayers of this state. At some point, reality has to set in. Democrats and Governor Malloy need to comprehend our state's fragile financial health. The trend of government spending outside its means and compensating for it with more taxes has to end; the time is now. In order to achieve job growth, economic stability and a manageable cost of living, we must address our shortfalls and stop spending more than we take in.