Vail, Republicans outline two-year state budget

HARTFORD — Rep. Kurt Vail joined Republican colleagues Friday in unveiling a two-year, $40 billion state budget that addresses the Connecticut’s immediate needs and finds new ways to save taxpayers in the long-term.

The plan, Blueprint for Prosperity, benefits multiple socioeconomic interests: taxpayers, consumers, the developmentally disabled, businesses, non-profits, municipalities and hospitals by restoring cuts implemented by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. It is an alternative to the governor’s proposal, which made significant cuts to health and human services, increased taxes on businesses and ramped up spending for mass transit.

“Overall, I’m pleased with our proposal, which is under the constitutional spending cap and restores cuts to our most vulnerable population,” Vail said. “Most importantly, it allows small businesses, like the ones lining the streets of Somers and Stafford, to get the tax breaks they deserve. When these mom-and-pop stores can thrive, workers and their families can live healthier lives and our local economies grow.”

Vail, a member of the legislative committees on insurance and real estate, labor and public employees, and public safety and security, said although it’s the GOP’s budget outline, there’s enough common sense within it to gain bipartisan support.