Senator Martin Says New Senate Republican Budget Closes Deficit without Increasing Tax Rates

Hartford – State  Senator Henri Martin (R-31) and members of the Senate Republican Caucus released a revised line-by-line state budget proposal that closes the projected state budget deficit for the next two years without creating new taxes.

“People and businesses have told me that Connecticut’s high taxes and over-regulation are driving them out of our state. They need relief and they need it now,” Sen. Martin said. “This budget proposal reduces state spending and makes the structural changes that will stabilize our budgets and provide an environment where businesses and our economy can grow and create jobs. I proudly stand behind this proposed budget and will join with my colleagues to pass a responsible spending plan that is good for everyone in our state.”

Some of the structural changes in the Republican budget proposal include

• Capping the amount the state can bond each year
• Seeks $2 billion in savings from state employee health insurance plans and pensions
• Privatizing some state services
• Consolidate state agencies
• Eliminating legislative committees

The updated two-year Senate Republican proposal does the following:

• Closes the state budget deficit without tax increases
• Increases education funding by $170 million in the first two years and includes a new Education Cost Sharing formula
• Reformulates municipal funding and holds towns harmless in the first year to cuts to statutory grants
• Streamlines government
• Provides for structural changes
• Maintains the tax exempt status for hospitals to protect them from a new local hospital tax
• Preserves core government services by restoring funding for social services such as Meals on Wheels, mental health care and substance abuse treatment
• Prioritizes transportation needs and stabilizes funding without tolls or new taxes
• Lowers taxes for retirees and helps seniors age in place
• Enhances funding for state parks and tourism

A full summary of the updated “Confident Connecticut” budget is available here.

Line-by-line details available at www.ctsenrepublic.wpengine.com.

Sen. Martin represents the communities of Bristol, Harwinton, Plainville, Plymouth, and Thomaston.