Reps. Labriola and Rebimbas: Budget is Irresponsible

HARTFORD – State Representatives Rosa C. Rebimbas (R-70) and David Labriola (R-131) today voted against a state budget that increases state spending, unfairly and unnecessarily raises taxes on the middle class and hampers businesses across Connecticut.

The budget, which passed the House without a single Republican vote, and with 11 Democrats voting against it, raises taxes on hard-working Connecticut families and businesses by nearly $2 billion.

“Coming on the heels of what was the then-largest tax increase in state history of $1.8 in 2011, this new budget is even more unbelievable,” Rep. Rebimbas said. “The Republican caucus proposed a balanced budget that came in under the Constitutional Spending Cap and was fully vetted by the non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA). To view the people of our state as a blank check is abhorrent and I could not, and will not, vote in favor of massive tax increases like these.  Connecticut needs to address spending, not raise taxes on those who are already struggling in a lagging state economy.”

“This is absolutely the wrong direction for Connecticut,” Rep. Labriola said. “Raising taxes on our citizens and small businesses is a cold slap in the face to our state, and I will not be party to it. I support the alternate budget proposal which is balanced, holds the line on spending, and doesn’t raise taxes.”

The budget also includes total income tax increases of about $450 million over two years by increasing the tax rate on personal income, and reduces the property tax credit from $300 to $200 in FY17, which impacts every homeowner in the state and comes on the heels of a previous reduction from $500 to $300 in 2011.

Additionally, the budget also repeals the clothing and footwear exemption which disproportionately affects the low and middle class, and maintains the state’s 6.35% sales tax despite earlier reports that rate would be reduced as an offset to the loss of the clothing exemption.

Other important parts of the budget include:

• General fund (state) spending for Fiscal Year 16 is $784.5 million more than current year.
• Busts through the Constitutional spending cap.
• Underfunds debt service, which will require more premiums and cost the state more in the long run
• No attempt to make up unachieved SEBAC savings from Governor’s plan
• Does not include funding for the GAAP liability over the next two years, one of Malloy’s top priorities

Rebimbas represents the 70^th district of Naugatuck.

Labriola represents the 131^st district of Naugatuck, Oxford, and Southbury.