May 23, 2023

Rep. Haines: 2023 Budget Update

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I wanted to take a moment and provide you with information on our state budget discussions. House Republicans are in the final phase of negotiations to develop it along with Governor Lamont, as well as General Assembly Democrats. I’m hopeful that our negotiations will result in a bipartisan budget for Connecticut, something we haven’t seen in our state since Republicans enjoyed nearly even numbers in the legislature back in 2017. House Republicans entered budget talks this spring with a plan that was hard for our colleagues to ignore—a balanced, two-year proposal that not only respects the bipartisan fiscal guardrails that were renewed earlier this year, but one that also avoids the type of accounting gimmicks that have characterized most Connecticut state budgets over the last decade or so. Our House Republican budget provides $1.2 Billion in tax relief, support for our students, and addressing crime which is plaguing our state.

With the many positive aspects of our budget, I’m proud to report that many of our proposals have been viewed favorably by Governor Lamont and our legislative colleagues across the aisle. I will keep you up to date on our progress and will work hard to ensure that the issues that are important to you remain my priority between now and the end of session.

You can view the House Republican budget plan here.

$1.2 Billion in Tax Relief, including:

Structural, middle-class income tax cut
First-ever state child tax deduction, $2k per child
Elimination of taxes on kids’ clothes under $100
Broadening exemption from pension & annuity taxes
Restoring the pass-through entity tax credit

Support for Students:

More ECS funding for local schools
Fully funding special education grants for the first time
Funding colleges & universities, adding fiscal control

Common Sense Provisions:

Follow real-world hiring patterns in budgeting for open positions
More funding for nonprofit service providers
Better planning, spending: Reinstate Transportation Strategy Board
Funding for GPS monitoring for domestic violence offenders
Create a support fund for families of fallen police officers

Representative Irene Haines Co-Sponsors New Law Signed by Governor to Expand Benefits for Families of Fallen First Responders

HARTFORD – State Representative Irene Haines (R-34) is proud to announce the passage of a new bipartisan law that expands important benefits for the families of Connecticut’s first responders who lose their lives in the line of duty. Senate Bill 1239, which Representative Haines co-sponsored and strongly supported, renames the Fallen Officer Fund to the […]

June 27, 2025

2025 Legislative Session Wrap-Up

The 2025 legislative session has officially come to a close, and I’m proud of the work I’ve done to represent the people of East Haddam, East Hampton, and Salem at the State Capitol. This session, I remained focused on the values and priorities that matter most to our communities—local control, fiscal responsibility, and public safety. […]

June 17, 2025