Carpino: The State of the State Budget Op-Ed

During the final days of the 2014 Legislative Session, the legislature voted on adjustments for the $19 billion biennial budget and a bill to implement those budget adjustments.

Questionable budget tactics, including the raiding of funds used to repair roads and bridges, and the sudden inclusion of a miscellaneous $75 million, before the budget vote, forced me to vote against the budget proposed by the majority party.

The “miscellaneous” estimates rely heavily on the collection of delinquent tax dollars in order to fill a large gap in the state’s budget. Connecticut shouldn’t be balancing our budget on the assumption that people, who have proven themselves to be tax delinquents, will suddenly become law-abiding.

As for the budget implementer, I voted against the 300+ page proposal, finalized hours before debate, which was cramped with multiple proposals that NOT open to public hearing scrutiny. For example proposals to give college drop outs free classes at our state community colleges and providing a tax exemption from the admissions tax solely for Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.

It does a great disservice to Connecticut, and to the hard-working families of our district, to try and mask the state’s true financial condition. We are going through tough economic times – our residents deserve to have honest, transparent state government.

This budget vote comes just days after non-partisan analysts announced that state tax revenues have fallen short of projections by $462 million. So after raising taxes on Connecticut taxpayers 1.8 billion in 2011, Connecticut still does not have enough revenue to fund the bloated government.

Connecticut citizens deserve options, and I joined other Republican lawmakers with an alternative proposal. Our midterm budget proposal responded to the large drop of revenue by decreasing state spending, restoring funding for road and bridge repairs, increasing municipal aid by $21 million and reducing long term liabilities. Unfortunately, this proposal was defeated on party lines.

I will continue to represent the good families and businesses in our district by advocating for stronger fiscal and economic policies.

Our state simply cannot afford the rate of spending. Until we get control of our spending, it will remain difficult to raise a family, have a career and retire in Connecticut.