GOP Formula = No-Tax Increase | Malloy’s Formula = $1.9 Billion Tax Increase

April 19, 2011
Republican Press Conference on No Tax Increase budget at Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Republican Press Conference on No Tax Increase budget at Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Hartford, CT – Senator Joe Markley (R-16) along with Republican Legislative Leaders today unveiled a no-tax increase balanced budget proposal for Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013.

By focusing on core government functions, eliminating waste and creating efficiencies, the Republican Alternative Budget significantly reduces the size and cost of government while protecting the social safety net and preserving state aid to municipalities.

Alternative Budget Presentation“As I have said all along we can not afford another tax increase. We need to cut our spending and this budget does just that,” said Senator Markley.

Highlights of the Republican Alternative Budget include:

  • No new taxes on any business, individual, employer, service or good.
  • More than $1.5 billion in spending cuts from Gov. Malloy’s plan.
  • Preservation of municipal aid at current levels for all towns and cities.
  • Enhanced Medicaid fraud detection to save an estimated $224 million.
  • More than $46 million in savings through agency consolidations.
  • Streamlining government through attrition and reductions to the 54,000 member state workforce.
  • No borrowing for state operating expenses.
  • Full restoration of the $500 property tax credit cut by Gov. Malloy.
  • The pre-payment of $200 million in the state’s highest cost debt, allowing greater flexibility in budgeting throughout state agencies.
  • Restoration of the sales tax free week to help Connecticut consumers support household budgets.
  • Elimination of longevity payments for state employees.

Of the proposed reductions in state-funded positions, 1,250 would be targeted toward management. The Bipartisan Commission on Enhanced Agency Outcomes recommended that Connecticut cut in half the number of managers to come in line with the private sector.

“I think everybody- the average citizen, union members, even Democratic legislators- will tell you there is a lot of bloat and over paying of state workers. There has to be reorganization not just shuffling of the deck chairs,” said Senator Markley. “This Republican budget alternative does that.”

All of these numbers do include the union concessions and Senator Markley is hopeful the Governor can achieve the concessions he has set out to get.

“I don’t think there is a way to get to the $3.5 billion gap without consolidation and union concessions,” stated Senator Markley.

Read Alternative Budget line-by-line >>
Complete presentation of Alternative Budget >>