Rep. Case calls Democratic majority’s budget ‘more of the same’

HARTFORD – When the voters of Colebrook, Goshen, Torrington and Winchester encompassed in the 63rd Assembly District elected State Rep. Jay Case as their next delegate in the State Capitol, they overwhelmingly supported a candidate who ran on a platform of “living within our means.”

But on April 19, the Democratic majority unveiled its budget, which is more of the same – spending, borrowing and demoralizing to Connecticut’s future – Rep. Case said.

“In the face of a $2.4 billion deficit, and on the heels of the largest tax increase in state history, the Democratic proposal continues to spend more money like we are in a strong economic climate. That couldn’t be further from the truth and couldn’t be any more irresponsible,” Rep. Case said. “Like I said on the campaign trail and I’ve said it ever since: Connecticut needs to live within its means. We cannot afford more of the same.”

The budget proposed by the legislature’s Democrats does the following:
• Exceeds the Constitutional Spending Cap by $1.3 billion;
• Reduces the scheduled economic recovery note payments from $208 million next year to $12 million.
The balance is added to the state debt and pushed out until after the 2014 elections;
• Increases funding by almost 10 percent over two years;
• Adds a $550 million tax on hospitals by taking away that amount in previous funding;
• Swaps the current $80 million electric generator tax with $80 million in borrowing;
• Uses Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as an excuse to borrow $750 million to use for operating expenses

“State government needs to learn to better manage the taxpayers’ hard-earned money,” Rep. Case added. “As citizens, we can’t spend the way Connecticut does – the credit card companies and lenders wouldn’t allow it. But this budget takes that logic and obliterates it to a point where future residents of this state will be hurting.”