House Republicans Unveil Biennial Budget Proposal

2024-2025 plan provides more tax relief than Governor and Democrats, invests in key areas including education and nonprofit social safety net providers

HARTFORD—On Tuesday, Connecticut House Republicans released a balanced budget proposal that provides more than $1 billion in broad-based tax relief to Connecticut residents while also making historic investments in education and providing more funding for nonprofit providers.

“Each session, we hear so often how expensive it is to live and do business in Connecticut. With that said, I am very supportive of this budget that will offer our residents much-needed tax relief to our residents,” said State Representative Irene Haines (R-34). “I am pleased to see some key points in this budget that support students, parents, and educators. These investments in education are important for our residents, and I am hoping that these policies are included when we vote on a budget later in the session.”

The two-year $51.9 billion plan from House Republicans constrains overall spending growth in the general fund to less than zero percent in FY24 and 2.5 percent in FY25.  The Republican plan offers $1.16 billion in tax relief through a variety of means, including a retroactive structural middle-class income tax cut with additional relief for seniors and, for the first time, a state child tax deduction for everyone at a rate of $2,000 per child.

“Connecticut residents need relief as inflation, along with our gas prices continuing to soar,” said State Representative Mark DeCaprio (R-48). “This budget is a step in the right direction offering tax relief to hard-working families across Connecticut. I am very supportive of the investments in education, funding for victim and child advocacy offices, and many other points that are found within this budget.”

The Republican budget meets the challenge of funding core government services, and in several cases spends more in key areas than Democrats. That includes a $290 million investment in local education funding that provides fully funded special education grants (more than $50 million) for the first time. The budget matches Democrat-level funding for colleges and universities but also installs new reporting requirements for both the UConn and CSCU systems. The plan also provides a 2.5 percent increase for nonprofit service providers.

Summary of Republican Budget & Policy Points

Tax Relief for Connecticut Residents

($200 million more than Governor or legislative Democrats)

             Adopt but enhance Governor’s income tax cut proposal by using one-time $300 million of FY23 surplus to make it retroactive to January 2023. Removes benefit from top 1 percent earners

             Create first-ever state child tax deduction for everyone, $2,000 deduction per child

             Help job creators by restoring pass-through entity tax credit to 93.01 percent

             Eliminate Highway Use Tax on trucks

             Establish phase-out threshold for state tax on retirement income

             Eliminates sales tax on children’s clothing under $100

Supporting Students, Parents, Educators

             Invests $290 million in education, including $214 million to implement components of H.B. 5003, $20 million to hold harmless towns that would have seen an ECS decrease; fully funds special education grants ($50 million); funds Danbury charter school ($4 million)

             Expands support for Care4Kids program ($60 million)

             Increases minority teacher scholarship funding by $1 million

             Meets Democrats’ funding level on higher education, but requires oversight

             Increase parent representation on State BOE and Parent Cabinet

General Government

             Increases funding for nonprofit social service providers by 2.5 percent ($100 million)

             Fully funds effort to eliminate DSS waitlist

             Save $200 million by reducing number of budgeted but unfilled positions across state government

             Increases investment in gun violence prevention programs

             Increases current services funding for rail and bus

             Eliminates proposed messaging program for inmates, saves taxpayers $3.5 million

             Enhanced 2-1-1 crisis services for housing and homelessness ($2.4 million)

             Reinstate Transportation Strategy Board to review investments and recommend savings

             Increases pay for assigned counsel in public defender cases ($23 million)

             Expands GPS monitoring for domestic violence offenders ($6 million)

             Increases funding to Women’s Business Development Council to almost $1 million

             Invests in firefighter training, creates $1 million support fund for families of fallen officers

             Doubles what Democrats provided for senior meals funding to $3 million

Greater detail at: taxreliefbudget.com