Case, Republicans, call on budgetary fixes

The budget fix is an honest and transparent proposal unlike anything Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the Democratic majority have ever put out. The Republican proposal will save taxpayers $55 million in the next fiscal year alone while still adding money to the unfunded teacher health care plans and state employee pensions.

According to the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis, the Republicans’ alternative budget decreases the state deficit by $72.2 million in the next three years.

“We can’t afford to stay on the plan the majority party has been pushing out for years,” Case said. “Our plan does what theirs doesn’t. It brings money back to the municipalities, helps the teachers and pays down outstanding debts. This is a positive budget that will tackle some of our state’s biggest concerns.”

Republicans plan adding $45 million in Critical Program Funding, including:

•  restoring $9 million to the retired teacher’s health care plan
•  a 1 percent cost of living increase for home health aides
•  $15 million to maintain primary care provider rates.
• Adding DDS staff to ease client waiting lists for $4.4 million

The Republican plan eliminates Gov. Malloy’s plan to give Connecticut residents $55 rebate checks just months before the election, and it halts Keno gambling before it gets started in Connecticut bars and stores.

Some of the state’s excess revenue will be used judiciously:

• $346 million to pay off long-term debt, including $196 million to pay off Economic Recovery Notes in order to reduce long term debt that Democrats have delayed
• $133 million to accelerate the sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear under $50
• $60 million to eliminate to the surcharge businesses pay for interest on money borrowed for the state’s unemployment insurance fund
• $100 million to shore the state employee pension funds.

The remaining excess funds would be used to pay down debt and go into the state’s Rainy Day Fund under the Republican plan.