April 20, 2011

A Budget for Taxpayers: No Tax Increases from Carpino, Republicans

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HARTFORD—Rep. Christie Carpino joined Republican legislators today in unveiling a “budget for the little guy,” a two-year plan that balances Connecticut’s books without increasing taxes on everyday goods and services such as gasoline, back-to-school clothing, non-prescription drugs and haircuts. The plan from Carpino and her colleagues is a credible alternative to the controversial plan offered by Democrat Gov. Dannel Malloy, who proposed the largest tax increase in state history as well as roughly $1 billion more in state spending despite Connecticut’s projected $3.5 billion budget deficit. Like Malloy, Republicans have met with taxpayers to listen to their ideas and concerns. Carpino and her House colleagues, however, listened to the common sense feedback they received. “People in my district have hit their breaking point—household bills have hit the red zone,” she said. “Meanwhile, the legislature has increased spending year after year to a point where it’s unsustainable. We can’t have taxpayers ‘sacrifice’ more as the governor has asked—there’s nothing left to give. Government has to fall in line with today’s reality.”

The Republican plan does just that by curbing an ever-growing government bureaucracy while reducing state spending in Malloy’s proposal by billions—maintaining core government services in the process.

The plan from Carpino and Republicans does not force sales and income tax increase on residents as Malloy proposed, and it protects the $500 property tax exemption upon which so many middle class families throughout Connecticut have come to depend. The proposal also preserves municipal aid—the money cities and towns use to buy school books for children and patch potholes on neighborhood roads.

“The people I represent—their vision of ‘shared sacrifice’ would have government take the brunt of this financial storm,” Carpino said. “We created a roadmap to that end. Taxpayers can either follow our blueprint for an efficient government that supports small businesses in our downtowns, or our governor who will have his hand out every time you visit a hair salon or use a coupon to buy a shirt at your local mom-and-pop shop.”

Highlights (view line-by-line here) of the Republican Alternative Budget include:
• No new taxes on any business, individual, employer, or services or goods.
• Republicans plan to save more than $46 million through agency consolidations.
• State government will be streamlined through attrition and reduction in the 54,000- state payroll.
• No money will be borrowed for day-to-day state operations.
• More than $200 million in the state’s highest cost debt will be pre-paid, thus allowing for greater flexibility in budgeting throughout state agencies.