Tolland Letter: Belsito on the Budget

State Rep. Sam Belsito has submitted the following letter:

To the Editor:

The 2017 Legislative Session showed the inability of the majority party Democrats to lead and their deep-seated aversion to common sense budget proposals from House and Senate Republicans.

In the early stages of the session, I was proud to join my Republican colleagues to release our no-tax-increase budget proposal, which didn't depend on tolls, marijuana, or gimmick budgeting tricks.

Our proposal focused on creating a Connecticut that residents, businesses, and municipal leaders could trust and depend on- without reaching deeper into their wallets.

By rolling back borrowing to 2013 levels, prioritizing spending, and aligning state employee benefits with the private sector, we showed that Connecticut could balance a budget without raising taxes.

Unfortunately, our budget was ignored, and a budget was not passed by the June 7th deadline. Now we have nine days to pass a budget.

What happens if a budget is not adopted by June 30th? Governor Dan Malloy is allowed to govern by executive orders. Letting the governor take over the reins without the legislature could result in devastating cuts to our local education and municipalities.

Not passing a budget by June 30th is inexcusable! Democrat leaders need to embrace Republican budget ideas or move over and let us lead.

State Rep. Sam Belsito

53rd District – Ashford, Tolland, & Willington

Photo Credit: House Republicans