Bristol Lawmakers: Republican Budget Plan Doesn’t Cut Local Education Funding or Hospitals; Makes Structural Changes Without Tax Hikes; Provides Mandate Relief

HARTFORD – Bristol lawmakers State Sen. Henri Martin and State Reps. Whit Betts and Cara Pavalock today praised the alternative state budget put forth by legislative Republicans for its structural reforms, its support for hospitals and local education funding and its lack of any tax or fee hikes.

Sen. Martin said, “This plan protects our most vulnerable residents, restores funding for local education, and provides mandate relief for towns. Our Republican proposal is a positive step toward stabilizing Connecticut’s finances, and we do not raise taxes or fees on greater Bristol residents and businesses.”

“We need to stop producing deficits and start producing surpluses, which this plan does,” Rep. Betts said. “The plan put forth and supported by my Republican colleagues and I provides the vision and the long-term plan to make our state economy strong by creating a healthy, stable, and predictable climate in which businesses can thrive, jobs will be created, and the residents of Connecticut will be prosperous.”

Rep. Pavalock said, “The plan we presented today restores cuts included in the budgets put forth by the governor and the majority party and preserves the safety net of services for our most vulnerable residents; the disabled, those with mental health needs, children, the elderly and those in poverty. At a time when individuals and families are struggling to make ends meet, not only is it our duty in state government to continue to support them, it is incumbent upon us to put policies in place that offer immediate relief and provide a better way forward. I strongly support the plan put forth today by my Republican colleagues.”

The Pathway to Sustainability plan, which has been vetted by the legislature’s non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis, closes the $935 million 2017 budget deficit without raising taxes, cutting aid to cities and towns, or local education funding or using the Rainy Day Fund. This plan sets Connecticut on a five-year path toward fiscal stability.

In addition, the plan also does the following:

Protects funding for social services and restores cuts made in competing Democratic budgets
Funds the Republican Prioritize Progress transportation plan with no tolls or tax increases
Reduces state borrowing and helps CT pay off its debt
The long-term, five year changes include:

• Results in more than $1 billion in surplus by 2021
• Reduces state spending by $3 billion a year
• Funds local public schools at 2017 levels; a $7.6 million increase from 2016

For more information about the ‘Pathway to Sustainability’ budget plan please visit: http://fiveyearbudget.com/