May 2, 2017

Local Lawmakers Support Republican Proposed Budget

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Stand Up for Taxpayers, Community Hospitals

HARTFORD- State Representatives John Piscopo (R-76) and David Wilson (R-66) stood arm-in-arm with their House and Senate Republican colleagues last week, putting forward a balanced, no tax increase budget which sets the Connecticut on a new fiscal course.

The proposed budget comes as Connecticut stands on the brink of fiscal disaster and faces a $3 billion budget deficit that seems to grow by the day. The budget provides a blueprint to move the state away from years of tax increases and unsustainable budgets that have cost Connecticut businesses and residents. “Connecticut taxpayers are already overburdened with the taxes they pay, and imposing any new taxes is entirely unrealistic for our residents,” said Rep. Piscopo. “The governor’s proposed budget contains a host of new taxes which would burden our taxpayers and the state economy further. I am proud to support our Republican budget proposal, which does not increase taxes, closes our state budget deficit, and cuts spending. It prioritizes important programs for our children and our seniors, while rejecting wasteful spending like the governor’s proposed $250 million for the XL Center. I am confident that this budget proposal will change the current disastrous fiscal course our state is on and bring about stability and prosperity.”

“Tax-and-spend policies have plagued Connecticut for far too long, including the two largest taxes increases in state history in the last six years,” said Rep. Wilson. “Our Republican budget will stop the fiscal hemorrhaging that is happening in this state by cutting spending and closing our $3.6 billion state deficit without raising taxes and without shifting teacher pension costs onto our cities and towns. Our Republican budget is proof that we can put this state back on a stronger and better path without raising taxes, as the governor and the majority party would have residents believe. I am proud to stand behind this Republican proposal and I’m hoping that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle will join us. I am pleased to know that it really is possible to find a path back to fiscal balance and look forward to the coming budget debate on the House floor.”

Unlike the governor’s budget which raised taxes by $200 million and the legislative Democrat plan which would raise taxes by over $400 million, the Republican plan DOES NOT raise taxes.

The Republican budget spends $700 million LESS than the Democrats’ budget and $313 million less than the governor’s budget.

Other Budget Highlights include:

Restores funding for Care4Kids

Restores funding for senior Meals-On-Wheels programs Consolidations of state agencies

Eliminates funding for UConn branch of FastTrack bus service
Eliminates taxpayer funded campaigns
Mandatory Approval of labor contracts by the General Assembly
Requires $700 million in union concessions
Cancels bonding $250 million for the XL Center
Enact a constitutional Transportation Lockbox
Phases out the income tax on pensions and annuity income
Exempts social security from income tax for middle income seniors

According to the latest report by the Office of Fiscal Analysis, the state budget is projected to run a $1.7 billion in deficit in 2017-18, and $1.9 billion in the red in 2018-19, according to Governor Malloy, for a combined biennial shortfall of $3.6 billion.

If the April income tax estimates hold, the deficit forecast would rise to $2 billion in 2017-18 and $2.2 billion in 2018-19 which would represent a potential gap of 10 percent and 11 percent, respectively.