Kokoruda Says Bipartisan Budget Avoids $1.5 Billion In Tax Increases

Information via Kokoruda's press office in Hartford

MADISON, CT — State Representative Noreen Kokoruda on September 15, 2017 praised the passage of the GOP bipartisan budget which avoids 1.5 billion in tax increases, funds core social services, preserves commitments to education funding, provides stability for municipalities and rejects Governor Malloy’s proposed shifting on teacher pension costs onto towns and cities, the news release states.

The GOP bipartisan budget passed in the State Senate due to Democrat Senators Hartley, Doyle and Slossberg choosing to do what is best for the state of Connecticut; they joined their Republican colleagues and voted in favor of the Republican budget on a vote of 21-15, according to the news release. After passing in the Senate, the bipartisan GOP budget was debated and then taken up for a vote in the House, and passed by a margin of 77-73.

Rep. Kokoruda said in a statement, “I am so pleased that the Majority Party decided to call our budget up for a vote and after a lengthy debate, passed the GOP bipartisan budget to help move Connecticut down a new, more prosperous path. I am hopeful that after the House and Senate were able to come together to do what is best for the state that they governor too will be able to sign this bipartisan budget into law as it is the best option for Connecticut’s citizens, taxpayers and businesses.”

Highlights of the bipartisan GOP budget:

• No increase or expansion of the state’s sales tax
• No income tax increase

• No new tax on secondary homes
• No cell phone tax
• No increase to the cigarette tax
• No new tax on nonprescription drugs
• No increase in restaurant sales tax
• No increase to the pistol permit fee
• No increase to the hotel tax
• No new fantasy sports tax
• Restores funding for the state’s property tax credit in its entirety to all families and individuals
• Eliminates Social Security income tax and phases out tax on pension income for middle class

In order for the budget to go into effect it must either be signed by the governor or sit for 30 days. Alternatively the governor can veto the budget returning the bill to the legislature to begin the process again or override the veto with a two thirds vote of each chamber.

For more detailed information on the budget proposal, please visit: www.cthousegop.com/budget.