Local Lawmakers Support Republican Proposed ‘No Tax Increase’ Budget

Lawmakers Stand Up for Taxpayers, Community Hospitals

HARTFORD- State Representative Tim LeGeyt (R-17) and Deputy Senate Republican President Pro Tempe Kevin Witkos (R-8) stood arm-in-arm with their House and Senate Republican colleagues and put forward a balanced, no tax increase budget which sets the Connecticut on a new fiscal course.

The proposed budget comes as Connecticut stands on the brink of fiscal disaster and faces a $3 billion budget deficit that seems to grow by the day.  The budget provides a blueprint to move the state away from years of tax increases and unsustainable budgets that have cost Connecticut businesses and residents.

“I’m pleased to stand with my fellow Republican colleagues in putting forth a common sense budget that supports Connecticut taxpayers,” saidRep. LeGeyt.  “For far too long, Connecticut has engaged in tax-and-spend policies as a means of addressing the state deficit and the increasing, looming fiscal crisis. It is time to change the way that we approach budgeting in this state and this Republican plan does just that. Our budget plan decreases spending and makes structural changes to put our state on a better fiscal path while maintaining focus on core functions of government, including public safety and transportation, and prioritizing programs that care for our children and our seniors.”

“Today CT Republican lawmakers joined together to release a state budget proposal that enhances education funding, that protects cities and towns from cuts, and that balances the budget without relying on tax increases. We hope this will be the basis for all lawmakers to come together, tackle our growing budget issues and rebuild confidence in our state. We are facing serious challenges in our state as a result of years of failed policies. This budget shows how we can begin to change course with a different vision for our future,” said Sen. Witkos.

Unlike the governor’s budget which raised taxes by $200 million and the legislative Democrat plan which would raise taxes by over $400 million, the Republican plan DOES NOT raise taxes.

The Republican budget spends $700 million LESS than the Democrats’ budget and $313 million less than the governor’s budget.

Other Budget Highlights include:

• Restores funding for Care4Kids

• Restores funding for senior Meals-On-Wheels programs
  Consolidations of state agencies

• Eliminates funding for UConn branch of FastTrack bus service
• Eliminates taxpayer funded campaigns
• Mandatory Approval of labor contracts by the General Assembly
• Requires $700 million in union concessions
• Cancels bonding $250 million for the XL Center
• Enact a constitutional Transportation Lockbox
• Phases out the income tax on pensions and annuity income
• Exempts social security from income tax for middle income seniors

According to the latest report by the Office of Fiscal Analysis, the state budget is projected to run a $1.7 billion in deficit in 2017-18, and $1.9 billion in the red in 2018-19, according to Governor Malloy, for a combined biennial shortfall of $3.6 billion.

 If the April income tax estimates hold, the deficit forecast would rise to $2 billion in 2017-18 and $2.2 billion in 2018-19 which would represent a potential gap of 10 percent and 11 percent, respectively.