No Bipartisanship & No Transparency Leads To Incomplete Budget

In less than 24 hours, I am expected to vote on the budget and budget implementer bills.

These bills will impact nearly 3.5 million CT residents.

I will be voting on a budget that was not bipartisan and not transparent in its deliberations and process.

This process of secrecy and clandestine deal-making will adversely impact our communities, our schools, our critical social safety net for the most vulnerable, and the long-term viability of our state.
As a state senator with the responsibility and duty to represent the 28th district, it is disappointing that I have yet to see the FULL details of the budget and budget implementer documents.

Why should you be concerned?

1. Because this budget will directly impact our communities’ fiscal ability to govern.
2. Because this budget cuts education cost sharing funding to our towns, negatively affecting education.
3. Because this budget decimates our community non-profit groups which provide critical social services.
4. Because this budget unfairly imposes taxes on non-profit hospitals which will ultimately diminish health care for all.
5. Because this budget undermines the needed support network for the 2nd Chance Society which has been working to re-integrate offenders post-incarceration.
6. Because this budget missed an opportunity to implement long-term structural changes to governmental spending and priorities.
7. Because disappointingly, it’s business as usual at the State Capitol.
8. Because Democratic Senate leadership has already announced that Democrats will vote “yes” on the bills – even when those same legislators have yet to see the bills’ details!

We need transparency. Instead, we have secrecy.

We need predictability. Instead, we have confusion.

We need to put Connecticut on a sustainable path. Instead, we will be voting on a budget with suspect revenue projection that may prove unsustainable.

So, what DO we know about the Democrats’ budget?

Information is now posted at www.ctsenrepublic.wpengine.com/democrat-budget-2017.

Click on the following links:

• Fact Sheet
• Education Cost Sharing Cuts
• Town by Town Cuts
• Hospital Cuts
• Towns Impacted by Car Tax Change
• OFA Detail of Dem Budget
• Budget Adjustment Summary
• Towns impacted by Car Tax Change (List)

In Hartford, I will continue to fight for Predictability, Sustainability, and Transparency.

Connecticut taxpayers deserve that respect.