Senator Witkos Launches “Tell the Truth” Campaign

State Senator Kevin Witkos launched the “Tell the Truth” campaign at the Legislative Office Building on Monday, July 15th.

Campaign to Provide Public with More Complete Understanding of Current Issues Facing Connecticut

Hartford – State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) today launched the “Tell the Truth” campaign to combat misleading and distorted claims currently circulating in news coverage. This initiative is intended to push back on a series of statements from the Governor’s office, the legislative majority office and other agencies/associations that do not tell the whole story. It will also provide members of the public with a more complete understanding of the complex issues facing the state of Connecticut.

“Time after time, I have come across news articles, television reports and other sources of information that simply do not tell the whole truth,” said Senator Witkos. “In response, I decided to launch the ‘Tell the Truth’ initiative to provide Connecticut residents with a fuller understanding of current news coverage. In the coming weeks and months, I will be updating this resource on my website and speaking with members of the public to set the record straight.”

Senator Witkos addresses three recent examples of misinformation, including the changes to the state’s contribution for the Retired Teachers’ Healthcare Fund, the claim of inheriting budget deficits from previous Republican administrations and the gas tax increase.

First, shortly after the end of the 2013 legislative session, the Connecticut Education Association circulated an email calling on its members to thank legislators that voted for the budget even though it included a reduction in the state’s contribution to the Retired Teachers’ Healthcare Fund from 33 percent to 25 percent. However, Republican senators introduced an amendment (LCO# 8690) that would have fully restored the state’s contribution. Instead of thanking those who voted for the budget, teachers should be aware that Republicans made an effort to keep the state’s promise to our retired teachers.

Second, Governor Malloy has long criticized his Republican predecessors for inheriting large budget deficits. Now, more than two years into his administration, it is past time that he take full responsibility for the budget situation. While the state is currently enjoying a budget surplus, the budget is projected to have a $1.3 billion deficit over the next two years. In addition, while previous administrations were in power, the Democratic-led legislature proposed and passed a series of irresponsible budgets that led to the large budget deficits.

Third, both the governor and legislative majority have blamed Republicans for the gas tax increase. While many legislators supported the increase in 2005 to fund a major transportation initiative, this year’s increase could have been postponed or eliminated. In fact, Republican legislators introduced an amendment (LCO# 8651) on the budget that was unfortunately defeated along party lines.

In 1980, the gas tax was first instituted by Democratic Governor Ella Grasso in an effort to reduce the high profit margin of oil companies. Since then, the tax has simply been passed through to Connecticut motorists, who have seen the gas tax increase from 2 percent to now 8.1 percent. In 2008, the legislature eliminated a 0.5 percent scheduled increase in the gas tax, which serves as an example that the governor and majority party could have avoided the latest gas tax increase.

As part of the initiative, Senator Witkos will also be available to travel around the state and speak with community groups, chambers of commerce and other organizations that are interested in hearing the full story behind current policy debates.

“Let the truth be told,” continued Senator Witkos. “It is my hope that this new initiative will serve as an informative and balanced resource for interested Connecticut residents. The days of deceit, half-truths and misnomers at the State Capitol simply must come to an end.”

When new examples of misinformation become necessary for a response, Senator Witkos will address these claims and his website will be updated to provide constituents and other interested citizens with a more complete understanding of current issues. In addition to any future updates, the three issues mentioned today will be available for review at Senator Witkos’ website at www.SenatorWitkos.com.