Posted on April 20, 2011
Representative Dave Labriola (R-131) joined Republican Legislative Leaders and unveiled a no-tax increase balanced budget proposal for Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013.
“Today we showed it’s possible to close a $3.2 billion budget deficit without resorting to any tax hikes whatsoever,” Rep. Labriola said. “The no tax increase plan represents the hard choices to cut spending and reduce government duplicity and waste. The people of our state can’t afford another tax increase and they deserve a government that is both efficient and effective.”
By focusing on core government functions, eliminating waste and creating efficiencies, the Republican Alternative Budget significantly reduces the size and cost of government while protecting the social safety net and preserving state aid to municipalities.
The budget unveiled today also utilizes a time-tested approach to finance and pays down the state’s highest interest debt first to save the state millions in interest payment over the life of these loans.
View the Republican presentation here
Highlights of the (line-by-line) Republican Alternative Budget include:
• No new taxes on any business, individual, employer or services or goods.
• The Republican budget cuts spending from Gov. Malloy’s plan by $1.2 billion.
• The budget preserves municipal aid for all towns and cities.
• Enhanced Medicaid fraud detection units will save an estimated $224 million in wrongful payments.
• Republicans plan to save more than $46 million through agency consolidations.
• State government will be streamlined through attrition and reduction in the 54,000- state payroll.
• No money will be borrowed for day-to-day state operations.
• The $500 property tax credit that Gov. Malloy wanted to abolish is fully restored.
• More than $200 million in the state’s highest cost debt will be pre-paid, thus allowing for greater flexibility in budgeting throughout state agencies.
• It restores the sales tax amnesty week that every Connecticut consumer can use to support household budgets.
Half of the proposed reductions in state-funded positions, 1,250 would be targeted toward management. The Bipartisan Commission on Enhanced Agency Outcomes recommended that Connecticut cut in half the number of managers to come in line with the private sector.
“We prove that there is a better way, by listening to our constituents who want us to reduce the size of government and to not raise taxes,” Rep. Labriola said.