Ben McGorty

HARTFORD, CT—State Representative Ben McGorty (R-122) proudly endorses the House Republican budget proposal, which takes a fiscally responsible and transparent approach to state spending, focusing on the needs of Connecticut’s taxpayers and families.

“This budget is about putting Connecticut residents first, eliminating unnecessary costs and ensuring every dollar serves our communities effectively,” said Rep. McGorty.

The Republican plan reinforces fiscal guardrails that have strengthened Connecticut’s financial stability, preserving the Volatility Cap and delivering $104.3 million in pension savings for Fiscal Year 2027, with projected cumulative savings exceeding $800 million annually.

Key components of the budget include:

• Eliminating state-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants, redirecting funds to support Connecticut’s legal residents and saving taxpayers millions.
• Removing the Public Benefits Charge from utility bills, easing the financial burden on families and businesses grappling with rising energy costs.
• Full funding for state employee healthcare, allocating $370 million over two years to cover costs omitted in Governor Lamont’s proposal, ensuring state workers and retirees receive promised care.
• A 5% cut in state agency operating expenses, saving $67 million by reducing waste while maintaining core services.
• A $250 annual registration fee for electric vehicles, following models in states like New Jersey, to ensure equitable contributions to road maintenance.
• A two-year wage freeze for state employees after recent raises and bonuses, saving $330 million, and ending automatic legislative pay raises, saving nearly $800,000.
• Modest fare increases for buses and trains to phase out unsustainable COVID-era subsidies, fostering fiscal responsibility in public transit.
• $137.5 million in Medicaid rate increases to bolster hospitals and healthcare providers serving vulnerable populations.
• Healthcare savings, including adopting the Governor’s proposal to end state coverage of GL-1 medications prescribed solely for weight loss, saving $45 million.

“We’re cutting costs that don’t serve our taxpayers, like healthcare for undocumented immigrants and the public benefits charge, while investing in what matters most to Connecticut,” said Rep. McGorty. “This budget rejects bloated, partisan spending and delivers a lean, responsible plan that respects our residents’ hard-earned money.”