Fasano, Witkos: Gov. Malloy Delusional About His Role in Tax Hikes

Hartford – Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) and Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) released the following statement in response to the governor’s recent comments that he is not responsible for raising taxes:

“If the governor thinks he’s not responsible for raising taxes, he is absolutely delusional. The budget voted on by the General Assembly was crafted by Democrat lawmakers and the governor himself behind closed doors. He helped provide individual legislators with special deals to get their votes. They shook on that deal – a deal that shortchanges the people of Connecticut and pushes a $2 billion tax hike onto the shoulders of our families and employers. The governor has not kept his promise. Not only has he not kept his promise, but he has been complicit in breaking his promise. Saying anything otherwise, is a straight out falsehood.”

“To keep his promise, the governor needs to veto this budget. If he wants to do what is in the best interest of our state, to protect families, to reduce burdens on taxpayers and to keep jobs here in Connecticut, the governor has no other choice but to put his foot down and put a stop to this madness that he himself created. Attempting to distance himself from the budget is not a sign of leadership but evident of compliance. And at a time of fiscal crisis, Connecticut is in desperate need of a leader, not a manipulator.

“However the governor tries to spin it, he has proposed and welcomed new taxes and new burdens into our state. Aside from the budget now before us, even the governor’s individual budget presented to the legislature back in February increased taxes by over $900 million. Who is he kidding saying otherwise?”

Background:

Yesterday, at a Capitol press conference, the governor stated, “I presented a budget that did not raise taxes…No one was prepared to vote for that budget, but that’s the reality.” He was referring to the budget he presented to the legislature in February.

He also stated that, “I produced a balanced budget, I’m not the legislature.”

When asked about vetoing the budget negotiated between him and the General Assembly, Malloy said “there’s work to be done, but I don’t envision that happening.”

Back in September during a gubernatorial debate hosted by WFSB-TV at St Joseph University, the governor stated: “There won’t be a deficit and there won’t be tax increases. I’m taking that pledge when I couldn’t take it before because this is a budget that I own. And I’m willing to own it, because I know we can balance it just as we have in the past.” The governor made similar statements throughout his last campaign.

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