Carpino Commends Blueprint for Prosperity: New plan would provide economic relief and restore funding to state services

HARTFORD – Rep. Christie Carpino (Cromwell, Portland) and fellow Republican legislators outlined a new two-year spending plan for Connecticut, addressing the state’s immediate needs and future savings.

“Our proposal demonstrates that it is possible to create a balanced budget that does not rely on raising taxes on our residents and businesses, or stripping needed services to our state’s most vulnerable,” said Rep. Carpino. 

The Blueprint for Prosperity, would restore vital social service programs for the state’s most vulnerable residents, reform taxes, and institute major government reforms, saving taxpayers millions. The plan would also restore funding to military funerals.

The republican budget proposal would benefit multiple socioeconomic interests: taxpayers, consumers, the developmentally disabled, businesses, non-profits, municipalities and hospitals.

Constituents from across Rep. Carpino’s district have reached out to her with concerns about some of the cuts in Governor Malloy’s budget proposal. The new Republican budget proposal answered those concerns. Details from The Blueprint for Prosperity include:

• Fully restoring the honor guard for military funerals
• Funding a private provider cost of living adjustment to benefit nursing homes, care facilities and nonprofit social services providers
• Phasing out income tax exemption on all pension income under $100,000
• Restoring funding for Regional Fire Training Schools
• Restoring funding for Connecticut libraries
• Restoring $18.7 million in mental health and substance abuse funds
• Fully funding a $67 billion transportation improvement initiative over the next 30 years and protecting the Special Transportation Fund

The new Republican budget would provide much needed tax relief. The plan calls for restoring the exemption on clothing and shoes under $50 and restoring full tax freedom week. It also eliminates caps on business tax credits, and eliminates the business entity tax.

The Blueprint for Prosperity calls for the elimination of Governor Malloy’s staff raises and will require him to fulfill his 2011 ‘shared sacrifice’ promise in identifying $253 million in unmet savings.

“Connecticut can once again be a state where residents can grow-up, raise families, and retire. This budget, which is honest and balanced, will help us get there,” said Rep. Carpino.

For more information on The Blueprint for Prosperity plan, click here.

The 2015 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn, June 3.