February 18, 2017

Zawistowski & Storms React to Governor’s Proposed Budget

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HARTFORD – In his biennial budget address, Governor Dannel Malloy outlined his proposed budget before both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the House Chamber of the Capitol. The Governor’s proposed budget contains new policy practices which pass the state’s fiscal responsibilities and obligations onto towns, schools and middle class taxpayers, and has fielded immediate and widespread criticism from legislators around the State.

“This budget proposal by Governor Malloy is not the direction we need to move as a state,” said State Rep. Tami Zawistowski (R-61). “Instead of creating an environment that promotes business growth and benefits the middle class, Governor Malloy’s proposed budget intends to nickel and dime the taxpayers of Connecticut – ultimately putting the deficit on the backs of the municipalities and average citizen. We should be looking for long-term structural changes in order to create a predictable and stable economy.”

Much of the Governor’s proposal shifts various fiscal responsibilities to municipalities.

“Governor Malloy’s budget proposes to shift more than $400 million of the cost of municipal schoolteachers’ pensions onto cities and towns. This additional cost will have to be built into town budgets and will force local property tax increases,” said State Representative Scott Storms (R-60). “For decades, the state has covered the major part of teachers’ pensions. This abrupt change in policy shifts massive costs onto towns without allowing them the ability to plan for the change. Earlier this week, we saw Governor Malloy pass the state’s debt repayment on to our children in his pension refinancing deal. Now, we see him shifting the state’s fiscal responsibilities to our towns. We cannot accept this proposal and hopefully we will see the budget process play out in a way that better benefits the people of the State of Connecticut.”

“While this is the Governor’s proposal, this is by no means the final product,” Zawistowski continued. “We will engage in significant negotiations in the coming months in order to ensure that the Connecticut taxpayer is well represented at the table.”

To stay updated on the process, or to contact Representatives Tami Zawistowski or Scott Storms, please visit www.RepZawistowski.com or www.RepStorms.com, or call (860) 240-8700.