Posted on June 7, 2023
(HARTFORD) — On early Tuesday morning, the Connecticut House of Representatives successfully passed the Biennial State Budget Agreement for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Classified as House Bill 6941, the 832-page budget document was delivered to legislators at 3:00AM on Monday morning, giving representatives only a few hours to unpack all its details before casting their final vote.
The $51 billion budget, spent over the course of two years, adopted several aspects proposed by House Republicans since last spring. Arguably the most important of these is tax relief, decreasing the income tax from 5% to 4.5% and 3% to 2%, respectively, freezing the diesel tax, and eliminating the “retirement benefits cliff” by providing a scaled income tax exemption for pension and annuity income and individual retirement accounts.
Aside from tax relief, other positive budget ingredients include a $150 million education statewide investment, a one-time bonus in funding to non-profits, and a Fallen Hero account that financially supports families of fallen law enforcement officers. Unfortunately, like all bills, there are many imperfections.
“This was a difficult decision,” said State Representative Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) following Tuesday’s early morning vote. “While the budget positively funds programs that support our veterans, police, students, and seniors, it also funds unnecessary programs. Such programs include funding healthcare for illegal immigrants, loan reimbursements for some CT students, and using $380 million taxpayer dollars to provide baby bonds, instead of necessary economic relief.”
Zupkus added, “It’s important to note that this budget increases state spending by almost $3 billion each year, including $80 million going to Hartford’s XL Center for various renovations and special interests. Meanwhile, the lower- and middle-class residents and families of our state are struggling to buy homes, afford groceries, and maintain their quality of life amidst rising rates of crime.”
Zupkus concluded, “I am pleased to see some Republican budget proposals in this budget, yet again, there are programs and groups going without enough funding. Even with income tax cuts, this budget still increases spending by roughly $3 billion per year, which requires our state to depend on more revenue, potentially meaning more future tax increases. The goal of the budget agreement should be to spend no more than you make; and if it’s not working, get rid of it.”
For more information on the state budget agreement, or any other state issue, please visit RepZupkus.com or contact Rep. Lezlye Zupkus at Lezlye.Zupkus@housegop.ct.gov or 860-240-8700.