Kelly & Sredzinski Applaud Responsible ‘Blueprint for Prosperity’

Scraps Malloy Unbalanced Budget, Restore Cuts, Reform Taxes and Government Spending
Honest, Under the Cap

HARTFORD –A balanced state budget plan, called a Blueprint for Prosperity, which restores vital social service programs for the neediest and reforms taxes, while instituting major government reforms that saves taxpayers millions was hailed today by Monroe legislators, state Senator Kevin Kelly (R-21) and State Rep. J.P. Sredzinski (R-112).

The Blueprint for Prosperity proposal will benefit multiple socioeconomic interests: taxpayers, consumers, the developmentally disabled, businesses, non-profits, municipalities and hospitals.

Details from the state budget proposal include:

• Recommends funding under DDS for community programs for high-school graduates
• Appropriates an additional $15 million to help alleviate DDS wait list for services for intellectually disabled
• Restoring Medicaid Husky A to approximately 12,100 people including all pregnant women currently covered and those at lower end of the income spectrum
• Restores funding for safety net services
• Restores $18.7 million in mental health and substance abuse funding including Regional Action Councils
• Funds a private provider COLA to benefit nursing homes, care facilities and nonprofit social services providers
• Funds 47 neighborhood youth centers
• Fully funds a $67 billion transportation improvement initiative over the next 30 years and protects the Special Transportation Fund
• Fully restores the honor guard for military funerals

Sen. Kevin Kelly said, “We have restored the safety net. We have saved the aging in place initiatives cut by the governor. We have done this with-out placing more debt on our children and future generations.”

The goal of the Blueprint for Prosperity is a framework to reduce the size and scope of state government so we don’t put the burden on the backs of our children. This plan will set Connecticut on a better path for smarter spending today and in the future.

In addition to restoration of Governor Malloy’s draconian budget cuts, Republican lawmakers provide some much needed tax relief. The budget plan calls for restoring the exemption on clothing and shoes under $50 starting June 1, 2016 and restoring full tax freedom week. Additional the plan phases out the income tax on pension income under $100,000 and eliminates governor’s proposed income tax hike on single filers beginning in income year 2017.

Rep. Sredzinski said, “There’s no question that the budget provided to the legislature from the Governor was irresponsible and fundamentally flawed. Although there will never be a perfect budget presented that will make everyone happy, the Republican proposal funds desperately needed programs without raising taxes.”

The budget savings from the Blueprint for Prosperity is achieved by requiring Governor Malloy to fulfill his 2011 ‘shared sacrifice’ promise and find a way to reach $253 million in unmet savings. Republicans recommend Governor Malloy institute an additional wage freeze in the first year of the biennium, increase contributions to pension system for current state employees; increase copays for healthcare, including prescription drugs, and eliminates existence of longevity payments.