Tax Freedom Day

May 6, 2012
Sen. Joe Markley, Sen. Jason Welch, Rep. Rob Sampson, Rep. Gail Lavielle, Rep. Chris Coutu

Sen. Joe Markley, Sen. Jason Welch, Rep. Rob Sampson, Rep. Gail Lavielle, Rep. Chris Coutu

Sen. Markley: We must hold the line

Hartford, CT – Senator Joe Markley (R-Southington) joined by Tax Freedom Day celebrators toasted to Cinco de Mayo and the liberty from tax burden in Connecticut at the State Capitol on Saturday. Sen. Markley gave his remarks in Spanish and English.

“We mark two significant events this May 5,” said Sen. Markley. “For Connecticut residents, it is Tax Freedom Day, the point in the year when the average worker has earned enough to pay his or her tax burden.”

According to the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan educational organization with business links, Connecticut residents have to work the longest — 125 days — to cover all taxes at the federal, state and local levels. Tennessee’s Tax Freedom Day was the earliest, on March 31. We are the only state whose tax obligation burdens us all the way to May.

Sen. Markley also recognized Cinco de Mayo. They day commemorates the victory of 4,000 Mexican militia over 8,000 French troops on the morning of May 5, 1862 in Puebla, Mexico. France attacked Mexico after it stopped making interest payments for a major debt it owed, at a moment when America was occupied with its own civil war.

“For lovers of freedom every where, it is Cinco de Mayo, when outnumbered and outgunned Mexican patriots beat back the invading French empire. Much like the heroic Mexican soldiers at the battle of Puebla, the hardworking people of Connecticut and their legislative champions must hold the line,” said Sen. Markley. “We must not allow another increase in the tax burden: No state tax increase, no federal tax increase.”