Reps. France and McCarty Oppose Budget that was pushed through the Legislature

HARTFORD – Four years ago Connecticut was hit with the largest tax increase in state history. Early on June 30, State Reps. Mike France (R-42) and Kathleen McCarty (R-38) joined their Republican colleagues and voted against the Majority Party’s budget “fix” that does nothing to change the state’s flawed tax and spend policies, and costs Connecticut taxpayers an additional $1.5 billion.

S.B. 1502 – An Act Implementing Provisions of the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2017 concerning general Government, Education and health and Human Services – passed the House of Representatives by a party line vote of 78 to 65, with only two Democrats joining all Republicans in voting against.

This budget increases taxes by $1.5 billion, and merely delays until January 1, 2016, the implementation of onerous combined reporting and unitary taxes that require corporations to pay taxes on satellite locations outside the state of Connecticut. These new taxes have caused several major corporations to give serious consideration to leaving the state.

“I was recently asked by a young group of promising future lawmakers what was the most difficult part of being a State Representative,” said Rep. France. “If I’m being honest – It’s this: fighting a pre-determined budget, with no opportunity provided by the majority party for our leadership to be involved in the final negotiations; a budget that will continue to negatively affect the future of our economy, our healthcare and our state. The tax hikes, which will only serve to escalate the exodus of businesses, jobs and retirees from our state, and spending cuts to vital social services that constitute the pillars of this budget are disheartening.

“But, I was also asked what the most rewarding part of serving at the Capitol was,” added Rep. France. “Second to interacting with and representing the interests of my constituents, I realized that despite the final vote on issues like this year’s budget, my vote counts and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to speak out on the failed policies of this administration and to build upon the difference we are making when we return for next year’s session.”

“While I was pleased to support and co-sponsor some very good and meaningful bipartisan legislation that passed this legislative session – including bills affecting education, mental health, our youth, seniors and veterans – the budget bill was a very large disappointment,” said Rep. McCarty. “The ever-escalating and continuous tax increases integrated into the partisan budget will continue to hurt the middle class, businesses and our hospitals. The legislature can and must do better going forward, but it will require the inclusion and will of both political parties to produce a balanced, fiscally responsible, budget that remains under the constitutional spending cap and protects Connecticut’s residents and businesses. I am committed to continuing to work in an open, transparent and bipartisan manner in the next session for the benefit of my constituents and the residents of Connecticut.”

Governor Malloy signed the budget into law on June 30, 2015.