'Linda Monaco Criticizes Opponent for Proposing Tax Hikes'

Press release

EAST HAVEN (February 9, 2011) – State Representative candidate, Linda Monaco, today criticized her opponent, James Albis for saying, during their TV debate held on Tuesday night, he would raise taxes to fill the $3.7 billion budget deficit the state of Connecticut faces this year. "It is unrealistic not to have a tax increase," stated Albis.

In response, Monaco said, "I am vehemently opposed to any tax increase at this time. It would have a devastating effect on the small improvement in the economy we are experiencing right now. We need to cut spending.  The Republican Party has presented a balanced budget over the last several years which does not include a tax increases."

"From the haircut tax to the newspaper tax to the Internet tax, to the plastic bag tax to allowing towns to implement their own sales tax that are being thrown around Hartford as possible tax hike ideas,” said Monaco today. “Each of these taxes target East Haven’s middle class families who are already struggling. They will also painfully hurt our seniors, who have not had an increase in their Social Security benefits for two years.”

“I believe,” continues Monaco, “that our House Republicans have put forward reasonable, common-sense proposals to balance the state budget that involve agency consolidation, state employee concessions and health and pension reform that go a long way to solving Connecticut's long-term fiscal mess as opposed to taking the easy way out and just voting for another tax increase.”

“I just don't understand why Albis would approve of substantial tax increases at a time when we are trying to create new jobs, retain existing ones and encourage young people and seniors to continue to live in East Haven.”

“East Haven voters must keep this fact in mind on February 22^nd,” says Monaco, Albis said, that if elected, he would vote to tax them even more. Rest assured, he will.”