Cheshire Legislators Blast State Budget

HARTFORD – State Representatives Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) and Al Adinolfi (R-103) criticized the majority party Democrats of the General Assembly for passing a state budget that imposes that second largest tax increase in state history by $1.4 billion on the middle class and property owners, and hinders job-creating businesses despite weeks of rebuke and outcry from both residents and business owners across the state.

During last week’s special session, the budget implementer, S.B. 1502 – An Act Implementing Provisions of the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2017 Concerning general Government, Education and health and Human Services – passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 78 to 65.

“It is unacceptable that following a $1.8 billion tax increase in 2011, the largest tax increase in state history, majority party Democrats last week passed a budget that raises taxes by another $1.4 billion,” Rep. Zupkus said.  “People across this state are struggling and the overwhelming outcry has been a demand for tax relief by this legislature.  Not only were more than 40 percent or 1.4 million of their voices not heard at the negotiating table, the response the people of Connecticut received from the majority party was the second largest tax hike in state history.  Instead of making fiscally responsible decisions to cut spending and not raise taxes, Democrats continue to balance the budget on the backs of those who can least afford it.”

“The majority party had the opportunity last week to do right by the taxpayers of this state, who have been very vocal in pleading with the state legislature not to raise taxes.  I voted against this irresponsible budget, which hurts those who are most in need of tax relief,” Rep. Adinolfi said. “When we hear from our job-creating businesses, both small and large that they simply cannot afford to remain open or do business in this state it’s time that the majority party listen.”

After considerable pressure and public outcry from taxpayers and businesses around the state, the Governor and majority party made small changes to their original budget passed on June 3rd, including roll backs of only 10 percent of the original $1.8 billion in tax hikes that directly impact the middle class and businesses. The Democrats paid for much of the tax rollbacks by diverting more than $100 million in additional revenue from sales tax increases that were intended to go to towns and cities.

One of the most controversial measures is implementation of a “unitary tax” that requires corporations to pay taxes on companies they run out of state. In an effort to appease companies threatening to relocate out of state because of the increased tax burden, that unitary tax, originally set to be retroactive to last Jan. 1, has been delayed to Jan. 1, 2016, a small change that does little to address the fundamental issues or provide relief to Connecticut employers.

The special session was required because the Democratic-led legislature left unfinished business on the table when it adjourned June 3.

More information on the bill can be found at www.cga.ct.gov.

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