Southeastern CT Delegation Blasts Brutal Budget

HARTFORD – State Representatives John Scott (R-40), Aundré Bumgardner (R-41), Mike France (R-42) and Kathleen McCarty (R-38) today voted against a state budget that increases state spending, unfairly and unnecessarily raises taxes on the middle class and hampers businesses across Connecticut.

The budget, which passed the House without a single Republican vote, and with 11 Democrats voting against it, raises taxes on hard-working Connecticut families and businesses by nearly $2 billion.

“I could not support this budget because it raises taxes to incredibly high levels without consideration to our struggling middle class and without reducing state spending,” Rep. Scott said. “The people of Connecticut have been pleading for relief, yet once again the middle class gets clobbered with massive tax increases. Unfortunately, Majority Democrats dismissed repeated requests by the Republican caucus to be included in the budget process and to work in a bipartisan manner. This is entirely their budget.”

“I’m disappointed in this budget and those who consider it good for Connecticut and the middle class,” Rep. Bumgardner said. “Raising taxes, again, and penalizing the hard-working men and women of our state is a disservice that will result in even larger problems down the road. Connecticut does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem and this budget does nothing but squeeze the already struggling taxpayers of our state.”

“Republicans will not support a budget that increases taxes and hinders economic growth in the state,” Rep. McCarty said. “By imposing taxes, this budget does not support our business sector. I cannot see how that would add up to a brighter future for Connecticut. This is the second largest tax increase in the State’s history, an increase that will hurt the middle class and businesses alike. This budget does not foster economic growth in the State something desperately needed in Southeastern CT in particular.”

“The whole debate surrounding the budget takes us back to the principle of living within our means. It’s just common sense,” Rep. France said. “It’s what we expect from our towns and a principle we live by in our own personal budgets. We cannot continue to increase taxes on businesses and individuals and expect the economy to grow. The result will be the continued exodus of people and businesses from the state. Unless we reduce state spending, taxes will continue to rise, forcing even more people to leave. This addiction to increased spending fuels a vicious cycle that continues to harm the Connecticut economy. The only way to stop it is fiscally-responsible spending without raising taxes.”

The budget also includes total income tax increases of about $450 million over two years by increasing the tax rate on personal income and reduces the property tax credit from $300 to $200 in FY17, which impacts every homeowner in the state and comes on the heels of a previous reduction from $500 to $300 in 2011.

Additionally, the budget repeals the clothing and footwear exemption which disproportionately affects the low and middle class, and maintains the state’s 6.35% sales tax despite earlier reports that rate would be reduced as an offset to the loss of the clothing exemption.

Other important parts of the budget include:

• General fund (state) spending for Fiscal Year 16 is $784.5 million more than current year.
• Obliterates the constitutional spending cap.
• Underfunds debt service, which will require more premiums and cost the state in the long run
• No state employee wage freeze
• No attempt to make up unachieved SEBAC savings from Governor’s budget
• Does not include funding for GAAP liability over the next two years, one of Malloy’s top priorities

Scott represents the 40tht district covering Groton and Ledyard.

Bumgardner represents the 41st district covering Groton and New London.

France represents the 42nd district covering Ledyard, Preston and Montville.

McCarty represents the 38th district covering Waterford and Montville.