Fasano Criticizes Dem’s Tax Plan [WFSB]
April 29, 2015WFSB
WFSB 3 Connecticut
HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – Democrats are proposing a major tax plan that is getting a lot of criticism.
In an effort to restore some cuts made by the governor, the Democrats said they want nearly $2 billion in new taxes.
While they said their plan also includes tax breaks for many, some Republicans are not on board, along with the governor.
The governor’s plan calls for cuts in social services, and the Republicans want union concessions.
The Democrats said their new plan would have millions in new taxes, including income taxes.
“It raises the income tax but only on the top wealthy people – on individuals over half a million dollars and joint filers with income over one million,” said Democratic State Senator Martin Looney.
Looney, who is the Senate president, said the plan is fair and helps the middle class and offers some relief on the sales tax, car taxes and property taxes.
However, this comes at a price. While the sales tax would be lowered, things exempt now would no longer be.
The services that would all be taxable include: certified accountants, architectural services, engineering services, building inspection, veterinary services, golf courses, dry cleaning.
Gov. Dannel Malloy said he wasn’t happy, stating “The tax plan put out today takes a very different approach. Simply put, it asks far too much of Connecticut’s middle class and small businesses.”
State Senator Len Fasano, who is the Republican minority leader, said “what is surprising to me is that there were no public hearings on these taxes, and there are a lot of new taxes, we are talking about two billion in two years.”
Democrats have enough votes to pass it and it could go to the State Senate and House of Representatives for a vote.