Politics & Government
CT Budget Adjustments Draw Vernon GOP Senator's Ire
Champagne, also mayor of Vernon, said state Senate Republicans offered alternative budget plan he claims would have helped taxpayers.
HARTFORD/VERNON — Vernon's mayor and state Sen. Dan Champagne, R-Vernon, said this week he opposed an adjustment to the state-approved budget that would add to state spending.
Tuesday, the state Senate approved a $24.2 billion, two-year state budget Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, is expected to sign. That came prior to House passage of the same measure earlier in the week. Both the House and Senate are controlled by Democrats.
Champagne said, shortly after the budget was approved, that he opposed the General Assembly’s passage of a budget adjustment agreement that includes $2.3 billion in additional government spending. He said that is not sustainable and does not provide immediate relief to families or business owners.
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"Just because we have the money, doesn't mean we have to spend it. Especially considering the forecasted recession, we should be giving taxpayers relief. I want our state to give back to the people who are suffering the most right now. How can we say that we need to implement affordable housing, when on the other hand we are choosing to send more unfunded mandates to municipalities which will ultimately raise property taxes? How can we provide a 42 percent raise to legislators when other residents are struggling to keep food on the table and fuel in their car. It's time to stop settling for 'good enough' and start providing real, honest relief to the people paying taxes and carrying this state," said Champagne.
Champagne said he and GOP senators offered an amendment to deliver more immediate relief, such as:
• Reducing the state income tax for low- and middle-income families and individuals.
• Cutting the sales tax and eliminating the meals tax through the end of the year.
• Extending the gas tax suspension through the end of the year and cut the tax on diesel fuel.
• Eliminating the state’s new truck tax
• Accelerating the elimination of the income tax on pension and annuities
• Expanding property tax relief
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This amendment failed and shortly after the budget passed.
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