Statement from Sen. Rob Kane (R-Watertown), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee, on the state budget:

“There are 23,500 fewer people employed now than when Gov. Malloy took office, and over 65,000 people have left the state workforce. Gov. Malloy has increased state spending during his term by 16 percent or $2.9 billion. He is now opting for more gimmicks and is continuing to spend every last taxpayer dollar. To fund his $60 million plan to boost college enrollment, he is excluding it from the state’s constitutional spending limits by moving that chunk of money off budget. This is the third year in a row that he has ignored the spending cap.

“Gov. Malloy increased state taxes during his first term by $2.6 billion. He is now trying to make up for it with a $55 refund and taking back a miniscule amount of his historic tax increase. He increased the state’s bonded indebtedness by $1.5 billion, including borrowing for GAAP which will cost us $231 million in interest.

“Gov. Malloy’s plan will result in a budget deficit of well over $2 billion in just one year. How do you think he’d fill that massive hole in the future? If he gets the chance, you’d better get ready for more tax hikes, Connecticut.”