O’Dea Joins Republicans in Unveiling Blueprint for Prosperity

State Representative Tom O’Dea (R-125) joined House and Senate Republicans today as they offered their plan, a Blueprint for Prosperity, which accomplishes what the governor could not: it is balanced, under the spending cap, restores vital social service programs for the neediest and reforms taxes, while instituting government reforms to save hundreds of millions in the coming two years.

The Republican proposal will benefit multiple socioeconomic interests: taxpayers, consumers, the developmentally disabled, businesses, non-profits, municipalities and hospitals.

“This budget represents a significant change of the direction our state has been heading in,” said Rep. O’Dea.  “By restoring critical social services for those most in need while taking the initial steps to begin reducing taxes, we are resetting the state’s priorities while remaining under the spending cap, and presenting a budget that is actually balanced.”

O’Dea said Republican leaders agree with Democrat leaders that the governor’s budget proposal is a non-starter. The Blueprint for Prosperity provides a biennial budget plan for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 and outlines a series of long-term initiatives to set Connecticut on a better path for smarter spending today and in the future.  Republicans outlined major points in their proposal at a press conference today at the Legislative Office Building.

The balanced $39.49 billion biennial budget alternative calls for $630 million in wage freezes and other concessions from state employees including restrictions on overtime costs.  It also caps borrowing.

“We are hoping this budget alternative will provide the framework for an improved discussion about budget options as we head toward the final month of this legislative session,” said Rep. O’Dea.  “I hope we can work cooperatively with the governor and Democrats to arrive at meaningful budget solutions that do not involve increased taxes, but rather focus on reducing state spending.”

The GOP budget proposal also:

• Eliminates cap on business tax credits
• Eliminates the corporate tax surcharge in FY 2017
• Restores the tax exemption on clothing and footwear under $50 starting June 1, 2016
• Restores Medicaid Husky A to 12,100 individuals
• Restores funding for nutrition assistance
• Restores burial benefits for indigent individuals
• Reduces debt service by instituting a bond allocation cap
• Increases contributions to pension plans from state employees

For more details on the Blueprint for Prosperity visit: cthousegop.com/blueprint

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