O’Dea Disappointed with State Budget, Votes Against Budget Implementation
HARTFORD – State Rep. Tom O’Dea (R-125) voiced opposition with a two-year Democrat budget debated and passed at 5:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning June 2nd. The budget relies on circumventing the state Constitution, one-shot revenue sweeps and hundreds of millions in new debt to accommodate a nearly 10% spending increase, while imposing a 16% gas tax hike and devastating hospital cuts.
In order to skirt the Constitutional Spending Cap – which was designed as a tool to slow future spending and assuage public anger over the enactment of the state income tax in 1991 – the Democrats created an astonishing $6.3 billion exemption for federal Medicaid funding.
Rep. O’Dea said, “We need to live within the limits of this Constitutional cap, as approved by more than that 80 percent of voters at the polls, back in 1991! This budget renders the cap meaningless and re-defines the will of the people.”
The budget also relies heavily on desperate revenue grabs, including $750 million in borrowing for cash flow to keep the lights on in state buildings and the delay of nearly $400 million of scheduled debt payments that will cost tens of millions in interest.
Desperate for the numbers to add up, Democrats swept the following specialized funds:
- This year’s entire $220 million projected surplus
- A $100 million in from the dedicated transportation fund, which is used to repair our rail, roads and bridges, and re-directs the money in the general fund
- $25 million from the banking fund
- $15.5 million from the tobacco and health trust fund
“The worst part about raiding the Transportation Fund is that money comes from the taxes you pay on gasoline. Consequently, this budget also will allow a 16% increase in the gross receipts tax on petroleum taking effect on July 1st, and now it won’t even be used for road or rail repair,” said Rep. O’Dea, who as a member of the Transportation committee supported legislation to put dedicated transportation funds in a lockbox.
The budget also extends a 20% corporate surcharge tax that businesses were told would expire, a move, which O’Dea says, perpetuates our unstable business climate, prevents job creators from hiring and discourages businesses from coming to Connecticut.
Unfortunately, due to a long-standing family obligation, State Rep. Tom O’Dea was unable to be at the State Capitol in Hartford for the initial state budget vote which took place at 5:15 a.m. on Sunday morning. The bill passed on a party line vote of 95-48. Prior to leaving the Capitol and after meeting with legislative leaders, it was determined the budget would clearly pass along party lines.
“I worked extensively in a bipartisan manner and negotiated with legislative leaders on budget implementation language which are the bills used to spell out the details and implementation process for the two-year state budget. Although some of the implementation language was improved, I felt compelled to vote against any increase to the State’s budget,” said Rep. O’Dea.
O’Dea plans a business tour this summer in the district to hear concerns from small business owners about how Connecticut can foster a better relationship with the business community.