House Republican Press Release

April 24, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Republicans propose ‘no-tax-increase’ budget alternative

In response to the crushing tax burden already weighing on so many Connecticut residents, House Republicans today unveiled an alternative budget plan that requires no new taxes, is balanced and would save taxpayers at least $1 billion over the next two years without cutting state services.

Towns would receive additional state aid under the “No-Tax-Increase Republican Budget Alternative” with no increase in the state income tax. The Republican budget proposal also would begin to reduce other taxes, including the state income tax on senior citizen pension benefits.

In contrast to the Democratic plan that would raise taxes a whopping $1.7 billion, the Republican plan would spare taxpayers tax increases they simply can not afford.

Republicans noted that their plan increases funding in key areas:

· School funding for every town goes up. East Granby would receive an additional $528,828, Suffield would get an additional $1,724,568 and Windsor would receive an additional $1,728,528 under the Republican no-tax-increase proposal. 

· Medicaid reimbursements for hospitals are increased $100 million to expand health care access for thousands on Connecticut residents.

· Environmental clean-up programs will also get an additional $100 million.

“With rising gasoline and energy prices, along with Connecticut’s high tax burden, our families are already being pushed to their fiscal limits,” said state Rep. Ruth Fahrbach (R-Windsor). “It is unconscionable to think of raising taxes at this time. This Republican proposal, which passed the muster of the non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis, is what the voters want and deserve. With prices on just about everything increasing, now is not the time to increase the income tax, or any other taxes.” 

House Republican Leader Larry Cafero (R-Norwalk) said, “The state can meet the needs of its citizens within existing revenues. It is irresponsible to increase taxes when we have no emergency and when we have consistently run a surplus for most of the past 15 years. ”