April 26, 2011

PISCOPO OP-ED- A BUDGET FOR THE PEOPLE NOT SPECIAL INTEREST

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This week legislative Republicans in the General Assembly unveiled budget a proposal or as I like to call it “The People’s Budget.”
It’s a two-year plan to balance Connecticut’s budget without increasing taxes on everyday goods and services such as gasoline, back-to-school clothing, non-prescription drugs and haircuts.
This budget contains no new taxes and infact protects individuals from a multitude of new taxes that would have added to the current challenges families face making ends meet every day.

For Thomaston taxpayers specifically, we have proposed to preserve the property tax credit and restore the Governor’s proposed cut in the Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment pilot grant, a grant we rely on.
This People’s budget is Connecticut’s opportunity for real fiscal change and reform. We even address how to handle our state debt by paying off the highest-interest loans first. This will save our state millions of dollars over the next few years.
Keep in mind this is a sharp contrast from the controversial budget offered by Governor Dannel Malloy, who proposed the largest tax increase in state history as well as roughly $1 billion more in state spending despite Connecticut’s projected $3.5 billion budget shortfall.

This People’s budget doesn’t have gimmicks it just relies on a smarter way of fixing the current budget gap.

One example of eliminating government waste is stopping the practice of having millions of state dollars spent on union stewards performing non-state duties.

Other Highlights include

• No new taxes on any business, individual, employer or services or goods.
• The Republican budget cuts spending from Gov. Malloy’s plan by $1.2 billion.
• The budget preserves municipal aid for all towns and cities.
• Enhanced Medicaid fraud detection units will save an estimated $224 million in wrongful payments.
• Republicans plan to save more than $46 million through agency consolidations.
• State government will be streamlined through attrition and reduction in the 54,000- state payroll.
• No money will be borrowed for day-to-day state operations.
• The $500 property tax credit that Gov. Malloy wanted to abolish is fully restored.
• More than $200 million in the state’s highest cost debt will be pre-paid, thus allowing for greater flexibility in budgeting throughout state agencies.

The people of Connecticut have been asking for a better plan after Governor Malloy released his tax and spend plan. Let’s listen to the people who we are accountable to and adopt the People’s Budget.