May 2, 2025

Reps Pavalock-D’Amato and Hoxha Back House Republican “Reality Check Budget” Proposal

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HARTFORD – State Representatives Cara Pavalock-D’Amato (R-77) and Joe Hoxha (R-78) joined their House Republican colleagues in presenting their “Reality Check Budget” which honors the fiscal guardrails, protects Connecticut’s long-term fiscal health, and reduces the size and cost of government by $600 million.

This budget delivers relief to local property taxpayers by protecting state aid to municipalities—such as fully funding special education—which helps reduce what residents would otherwise owe in local taxes. It lowers electric bills by reforming the “public benefits” charge and reforming a regulator-run program that forces customers to pay the utility bills of others. The plan also makes responsible financial choices, investing in essential government services while rejecting spending on fringe priorities like healthcare for illegal immigrants and unnecessary bureaucratic positions, such as deputy commissioners in state agencies.

“We hear from our constituents all of the time that Connecticut continues to be an unaffordable place to live,” Rep. Pavalock-D’Amato said. “Our budget approach was to eliminate some the unsustainable and unnecessary costs this state has continued to saddle our taxpayer with, which includes removing funding for illegal immigrant healthcare and prisoner iPads, while also addressing energy costs by moving the public benefits portion to the general fund. More importantly, it is completely balanced and remains within the fiscal guardrails we established in 2017.”

“This budget addresses the concerns I hear from families in Bristol and throughout the state every day,” said Rep. Hoxha. “People are working hard, yet they are falling behind due to high energy costs, cost of living, and excessive state spending. We fund what matters—education, veterans’ services, and healthcare—while cutting what doesn’t. It provides a clear alternative: it protects taxpayers, reduces waste, and sets Connecticut on a sustainable path for the future.”

The $54.4 billion two-year proposal was fully vetted by the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis. Unlike the proposal adopted by Majority Party members of the Appropriations Committee, this budget from House Republicans is a true ways-and-means product in which spending aligns with revenue. The House Republican budget is $45.5 million under the spending cap in FY26, and $928.5 million under the spending cap in FY27. It spends $769.6 million less than the Governor’s budget proposal, and $1.285 billion less than the plan from legislative Democrats.

Among the provisions of the House Republicans’ Reality Check Budget:

Reduces electric bills by beginning to remove the “public benefits” charge
Eliminates the “Passport to Parks” fee on motor vehicle registration
A 5 percent across-the-board reduction to state agency operating costs
$137.5 million in Medicaid rate increases to support struggling healthcare providers

Imposes a two-year wage freeze on state employees, following four years of 33% salary increases, saving $330 million over two years

Reduces health insurance bills by removing administrative costs passed on to customers.
Supports contributions to pensions and debt to protect Connecticut’s fiscal future

The House Republican proposal, available at www.realitycheckct.com, allows residents to choose how they would use $320 million to provide tax relief.

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