May 5, 2022

Rep. Lanoue Opposes State Budget

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Late Monday evening, the House of Representatives debated and voted on H.B. No. 5506, which adjusts the state budget for the fiscal year ending June 30^,2023 – this passed along party lines. This proposal contains three main pieces, which would be an adjustment to the budget itself, the implementer, and bonding. I along with my House Republican colleagues voted against this for many reasons. Unfortunately, this budget will not be sustainable for a long-term recovery that our state desperately needs. The adjustment increases spending to $547 million dollars (or 6.4%), for next year and although there will be some short-term relief, between an increase in spending and relief that will only be short term as we are currently relying on a one time infuse of federal dollars. The lack of a long-term plan for the families of Connecticut is very discouraging. When passing bills that will rely on Federal money, the question that needs to be answered is – what happens when it goes away? The answer would be to cut that program, other programs, or raise taxes. And I have yet heard of a government program that has gone away. So, guess what is going to happen to our tax bills?

A very responsible, pro-taxpayer, Republican amendment that was introduced, and failed would have helped with the following-

A moratorium on diesel fuel tax, which is not included in the temporary gas tax repeal
More meaningful tax cuts, such as a proposal to cut the Connecticut Income Tax
Repealing the Highway Use Tax which takes effect in January 2023, which will ultimately increase costs to trucking companies that will be put on the backs of Connecticut consumers

Some of the most egregious aspects of the budget include-

Giving health benefits to illegal immigrants
Bradley Airport direct flights to Jamaica for $2 million
Relies on one-time revenues for government agencies/programs
A meditation garden, golf courses, and other wasteful spending

Some of the positives-

The bill funded the CRISIS Pilot Program Initiative for an additional year for the Connecticut State Police, Troop D Region
Suspends the gas tax until December 1, 2022
Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to 41.5%.

I mention a few of the above items because there were many bills that would help our residents that will not make it across the finish line during the 2022 regular session. One to note would be a bill that I re-introduced this year, H.B. No. 5173, An Act Allowing a Personal Income Tax Deduction for Stipends Paid to Volunteer Firefighters and Volunteer Ambulance Members, was not included in the state budget. This proposal would have directly passed relief to volunteer firefighters and ambulance members who serve our communities around the clock, which had sweeping support across membership of both political parties. It is frustrating to me to see that this proposal, and others that would be such a benefit to ALL communities across our state, were left out in favor of special interests and election-season gimmicks.

For more information on this bill, please click here.