Republicans Budget Proposal Doesn’t Include Raising Taxes

HARTFORD – State Representative Doug Dubitsky (R-46), State Representative Kevin Skulczyck (R-45), State Representative Anne Dauphinais (R-44), State Representative Mike France (R-42), and State Senator Heather Somers (R-18) and their fellow House and Senate Republicans held a joint press conference to present a balanced budget proposal for the 2018 Fiscal Year, that unlike their Democratic counterparts does not involve raising taxes.

Currently Connecticut is facing a $3 billion dollar budget deficit and residents have seen two of the highest tax increases in state history over the past six years. In addition, the Republican proposal spends $313 million less than what the governor’s budget had proposed approximately $700 million less spending than the Democrats.

“For years, the people of this state have been suffering under the Democrats’ oppressive tax and spend policies. Today, we have shown that we can bring our state back from the fiscal cliff and restore Connecticut’s economy with sensible and responsible budgeting that spends no more than we can reasonably expect to bring in,” Rep. Dubitsky said.

The budget proposal brought forth by the House and Senate Republicans does not include shifting 1/3 of teachers pensions back onto the municipalities, cancels bonding $250 million for improvements to the XL Center, requires $700 million in union concessions, maintains tax exempt status for hospitals, consolidates state agencies, phases out the income tax on pensions and annuity income, and exempts social security from the income tax for middle income seniors.

Transportation costs have also been prioritized by enacting a constitutional transportation lockbox for any and all improvements without the reinstitution of tolls for revenue. Increases to pistol permits and license fees brought forth by the governor will also not go into effect per this budget.

“We understand the urgency from our local municipalities to have a budget from the state so that they can safely and accurately know how to plan theirs,” Rep. Dauphinais said. “I am pleased with the members of my party for putting together a fiscally responsible budget that does not raise taxes and is ready to go.”

“This budget proposal brought forth by the Republican leadership is not only fiscally responsible but also takes steps moving forward to put Connecticut back on track,” Rep. Skulczyck said. “While some may disagree with areas being cut, we should all agree that in order to ease the burden on our taxpayers they are absolutely necessary.”

“The governor wants to cut municipal aid to the Town of Ledyard by approximately $3 million next year” said Rep. France. “That is unfathomable. I am proud to support ‘Confident Connecticut’ as an alternative because it not only reinstates that funding to save our local schools, businesses and families, but it also increases the amount of funding the Towns of Preston and Montville currently receive by $1 million in the next biennium. The Republican budget plan saves Connecticut by reducing spending and supporting our towns without raising taxes. Connecticut’s current fiscal deficit is in an unbelievably dire state and we need these long-term structural changes that Republican leaders proposed today. I stand by it whole-heartedly.”
“Today, Republicans offered a dynamic budget proposal for the next two years which makes our towns whole, offers reforms and savings and doesn’t raise taxes on any citizen or business,” said State Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton. “It is a viable blueprint and while it’s clear more is needed given our weak economy, I am confident we are on the right track.”

“Somers said education funding has been totally restored for the Town of Groton and the town will receive additional funding. This is good news for our area and the state.”

“I want to personally thank Themis Klarides and our Republican leadership for being the only real leaders in Connecticut working for the betterment of its people,” Skulczyck said. “So far the majority’s solution has been to place the burden on our taxpayers time and time again.”

According to the latest report by the Office of Fiscal Analysis, the state budget is projected to run a $1.7 billion in deficit in 2017-18, and $1.9 billion in the red in 2018-19, according to Governor Malloy, for a combined biennial shortfall of $3.6 billion.

If the April income tax estimates hold, the deficit forecast would rise to $2 billion in 2017-18 and $2.2 billion in 2018-19 which would represent a potential gap of 10 percent and 11 percent, respectively.