Rutigliano, House Republicans Push Property Tax Relief
Key Takeaways
- Rutigliano leads GOP push for state property tax relief
- House Republicans propose legislation to cut property taxes for homeowners
- Bill targets property tax rate reductions and direct homeowner relief
- Republicans argue relief will improve housing affordability and economic growth
HARTFORD—House Republican Deputy Leader David Rutigliano (R-Trumbull) along with his House Republican colleagues on today proposed the largest expansion of Connecticut's property tax credit in state history, increasing the maximum credit to $1,000 and growing eligibility for additional relief to more than 800,000 residents.
Rep. Rutigliano and the House Republicans outlined their plan, joined by municipal officials whose constituents face financial pressure from property tax hikes driven by revaluation. The plan developed the middle-class tax relief plan after Democrats announced they would raid $500 million in state surplus funds during an anticipated November special session for an off-budget fund so they can increase state spending.
“Trumbull families, and seniors are being crushed by higher costs on everything from groceries to utilities, and they need help now—not another government fund that does nothing to lower their bills,” said Rep. Rutigliano, a member of the legislature's tax-writing committee. “This plan puts real money back in the pockets of hardworking taxpayers and helps middle-class families who’ve been ignored for far too long.”
Under the Republican plan, every qualifying taxpayer would see an increase in their credit. The proposal raises the maximum credit from $300 to $1,000 and sets a minimum credit of $400 for eligible filers. It also increases income eligibility thresholds by about $20,000 for single filers and $30,000 for joint filers. The plan particularly benefits joint filers by raising the eligibility threshold from $130,500 to $200,000. Under current law, thousands of these filers receive only the minimum $30 credit—or nothing at all. Overall, more than 800,000 filers would see more relief, many of whom live in Trumbull.
The volatile revenue was intended to pay long term pension and debt obligations, not to create new spending, this is the taxpayer's money, and should be returned to them.
The $700 increase to the maximum property tax credit offered by Republicans contrasts sharply with Governor Lamont's 2025 proposal—a $50 increase that was ultimately ignored by Democrats in their final $55 billion two-year budget adopted in June.