Sen. Kelly Releases Statement Re: Gov. Malloy’s Budget Proposal

HARTFORD, Conn. – Today Co-Chairman of the Aging Committee, State Senator Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford), released the following statement regarding Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s budget proposal released today.

“Once again Governor Malloy shows his true colors when it comes to our seniors,” said Sen. Kelly. “I continually witness Governor Malloy’s complete contempt for seniors and their caregivers, as he ignores the high costs associated with long-term care for the elderly. But instead of pursuing cost-effective ways to address our aging population, Malloy decides to slash their funding and pull the rug right from under their feet – again. We must enhance Connecticut’s home-care infrastructure now so that we can enable America’s greatest generation to age safely in place at home. What does he not get about this concept? These cuts are short-sighted; and it’s a disgrace that he continues to refuse to make seniors and caregivers a priority in this state.”

Gov. Malloy’s budget proposal does the following to Connecticut seniors and caregivers:

• Higher taxes on retirees by eliminating newly passed tax breaks on social security and pension income
• New tax on low income working families and elderly individuals by eliminating the $200 property tax credit
• Does not restore funding for the Medicare Savings Program

In addition to his cuts to seniors and their caregivers, Sen. Kelly also commented on Governor Malloy’s budget proposal and its impact on families and job creators throughout Connecticut.

“Not only does Governor Malloy continue to disregard seniors, he is also out-of-touch with every day, middle-class families,” said Sen. Kelly. “Once again, the governor leads with taxes. If you look at his budget it increases taxes on families, increases taxes on jobs and increases taxes on the middle-class – how are we going to attract new jobs, get our economy moving and get Connecticut families to stay when the ‘leader’ continues to take money straight from your pocket. This is not the way to lead our state out of his fiscal mess, and as for me I am counting the days until the ‘Reverse-Robin Hood’ takes his legacy of tax increases, and leaves office.”

Gov. Malloy’s budget proposal hurts Connecticut families and jobs by:

• New tax on nonprescription drugs
• New tax on tires, gas tax increase and proposed implementation of tolls with no understanding of the cost to Connecticut residents
• Increase to hotel tax
• Penalizes job creators with tax increases, at the same time the national effort is focused on reducing burdens on job creators in other parts of the country
• Cuts to municipal aid
• Rejects the new Education Cost Sharing formula that fairly distributed funding for the first time in decades to schools based on need, population, poverty and other factors.
• Hurts the housing market by increasing real estate conveyance tax