Rep. Hoxha Backs “Reality Check Budget” To Deliver Relief For Connecticut Families And Restore Fiscal Responsibility

HARTFORD, CT — State Representative Joe Hoxha (R-78) is standing firmly with House Republicans in support of the “Reality Check Budget,” a common-sense, fiscally responsible plan to provide real relief to Connecticut families, protect essential services, and reverse the growth of inefficient government.

“This budget addresses the concerns I hear from families in Bristol and throughout the state every day,” said Rep. Hoxha. “People are working hard, yet they are falling behind due to high energy costs, cost of living, and excessive state spending. Our plan provides a clear alternative: it protects taxpayers, reduces waste, and sets Connecticut on a sustainable path for the future.”

The two-year, $54.4 billion proposal, fully vetted by the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis, is built around three core principles: affordability, accountability, and fiscal discipline. Unlike the Democrat-led budget proposals, the Republican plan stays under the spending cap—by $45.5 million in FY26 and a full $928.5 million in FY27—and rejects new taxes while focusing on core government services.

Key provisions of the Reality Check Budget include:

• Cutting energy bills by beginning to eliminate the burdensome “public benefits” charge.
• Eliminating the “Passport to Parks” fee on vehicle registrations.
• Reducing state agency operating expenses by 5%, saving $67 million over two years.
• Investing $137.5 million in Medicaid rate increases to support hospitals and healthcare providers.
• Freezing state employee wages for two years, following four years of 33% raises, to save taxpayers $330 million.
• Removing unnecessary administrative costs from health insurance plans to lower premiums for residents.
• Protecting long-term stability by strengthening pension and debt payments instead of growing bureaucracy.

“We fund what matters—education, veterans’ services, healthcare—while cutting what doesn’t,” Rep. Hoxha added. “We reject costly fringe priorities like expanded healthcare for illegal immigrants and excess layers of management that do nothing for the people footing the bill.”

The Reality Check Budget directly addresses Connecticut’s energy affordability crisis. It ensures that state government operates within its means—just like families must—while preserving essential services.

Additionally, Republicans are proposing a new policy to let remote workers employed by New York-based companies pay income taxes in Connecticut rather than at New York’s higher rate—a move that could save residents money while generating $320 million in revenue for future tax relief.

“The people of Connecticut deserve a government that works as hard and responsibly as they do,” said Rep. Hoxha. “The Reality Check Budget is a step in the right direction—putting people before politics and restoring trust that the state can live within its means.”

For more information, or to see how you would use $320 million for tax relief, visit www.RealityCheckCT.com.