Reality Check: Connecticut Can’t Afford Democrats’ Reckless Budget

Opinion by State Representatives Tammy Nuccio, Vincent Candelora and Joe Polletta:

Democrats in the state legislature recently advanced two troubling budget bills—one that raises taxes, and another that blows through the state’s spending cap. Together, these proposals represent their alternative to Governor Lamont’s February budget plan that also backs away from defending Connecticut’s hard-won fiscal guardrails.

House Republicans believe Connecticut deserves better. That’s why we introduced the Reality Check Budget—a responsible alternative that reins in spending, respects fiscal limits, and invests in the core services residents depend on. You can view details at realitycheckct.com.

The Democrats’ budget spends far more than Connecticut taxpayers and businesses can afford. It makes our state even more expensive and returns us to the failed policies that raised taxes, not once but three times!

In contrast, our budget honors the fiscal guardrails that helped set the stage for historic tax relief in 2023, paying down debt and rebuilding our reserves. It also provides us with flexibility to deal with changes in federal funding that may come our way. Our plan spends $1.285 billion less than Democrats’ and $769 million less than the Governor’s. It stays $45.5 million under the spending cap in FY26 and by $928.5 million in FY27.

But we don’t just spend less—we spend smarter.

Our proposal protects state aid to municipalities and school districts, and it increases funding to help towns cover rising special education costs—relieving pressure on property taxes. We increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for financially teetering providers who understandably need more money for the services they provide, which will help protect and enhance healthcare for everyone.

Among initiatives we’ve proposed:

• More funding for CT Foodshare
• Increased support for domestic violence survivors
• Funding to reduce student absenteeism
• Full expansion of CRISIS mental health interventions
• Removing a portion of the “public benefits” charge from electric bills

We achieve these goals by making strategic choices focused on what’s most important to our citizenry. For example, we end free state healthcare for illegal immigrants—saving an estimated $116 million over two years. Despite Democrat objections, emergency care and access to school-based and federally qualified health centers remain available.

We also save taxpayers approximately $402 million over two years by budgeting only for state employee positions we can reasonably expect to fill, instead of funding every vacant position on paper. We eliminate deputy commissioner positions and require a 5 percent spending reduction at each agency—the latter saving another $67 million over the biennium.

We reject the Democrats’ proposed 1.75 percent capital gains tax hike, which would extract $500 million from residents over two years. Our plan reduces health insurance costs by removing an administrative fee that’s passed on to consumers. The “Passport to Parks” fee, set to increase this summer, would be removed from motor vehicle registrations.

Not surprisingly, Democrats immediately labeled our proposal “dead on arrival.” That’s the arrogance of one-party rule—a system that’s made Connecticut one of the most unaffordable states in the nation.

For over a year, Democrat leaders have argued that our state’s fiscal guardrails are a barrier to funding core services. That argument grew louder following President Trump’s push for federal fiscal restraint—giving them a convenient excuse to abandon financial discipline here at home.

While Connecticut’s financial outlook has improved somewhat in recent years, now is not the time to abandon fiscal sanity. A recent U.S. News & World Report analysis ranked Connecticut 48th in the country for long-term fiscal stability, due in part to our massive unfunded pension liabilities. The state also received poor marks for short-term financial strength. These rankings are a sobering reminder that we still face serious fiscal challenges.

Even some moderate Democrats—the two or three that remain on the state capitol campus—made that point about present-day challenges when voting against their party’s tax package.

Connecticut doesn’t need to spend more—it needs to spend smarter. Our Reality Check Budget proves we can invest in essential services, protect taxpayers, and preserve the financial stability that all residents deserve.