House Republican Press Release
March 31, 2008
Press Office: 860-240-8700
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A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE State Representative Ruth Fahrbach |
Lower taxes best way to make Connecticut prosperous
Last week, the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee voted in favor of an $18.4 billion budget for 2009. That proposal is approximately $110 million less than the plan offered in February by Gov. Jodi Rell.
On the surface, this may seem like an appealing budget to fiscal conservatives. But a closer review reveals that the Democrats also want to spend $190 million more in various areas including taking $30 million from the tobacco settlement money. As Republicans, we question how there can be additional spending, no tax increases and a claim of a $110 million reduction in the bottom line.
Some of the cuts included in the Democrats’ Appropriations budget include:
· $110 million in Medicaid cuts;
· $40 million in nursing home cuts despite a steady patient load.
· $50 million cut from the HUSKY health care plan.
If the Appropriations Committee budget were to be adopted, this state could be facing another large deficit in the next few years, something that Connecticut residents absolutely cannot afford.
The No Tax Increase Budget the House Republicans proposed a year ago eventually turned out to be the compromise fiscal plan that the legislature adopted. Republicans stressed that proposed savings must be verified and final Republican support for this year’s budget is contingent on no new taxes, legitimate spending cuts and a sustainable fiscal plan for the future.
According to published reports, the Appropriations Committee plan would fall
$21 million under the 2009 budget passed by the legislature last June. Nursing
homes and non-profit social service entities are slated to get no increase
under both the preliminary 2009 budget and under the governor’s proposal. The
committee plan would add $13 million in each area, about a one-percent
increase. However, in the case of nursing homes, that amount is not enough to
cover the additional staffing requirements that are currently under
consideration by the legislature.
There is another proposal being floated around the legislature to give Connecticut companies a leg-up on contract bids when competing against out-of-state
companies. Connecticut companies should be able to compete but that would be
better accomplished if the Democrat-controlled legislature would lower the tax
and regulation burden on businesses, making Connecticut businesses immediately
more competitive against other states.
The Democrats just don’t understand the fact that other states are operating in a more business-friendly environment, and are able offer comparable goods and services at a lower cost to consumers. That’s Economics 101, and a time-tested method of facilitating economic prosperity for all Connecticut residents.
State Rep. Ruth Fahrbach represents the 61st District, including Suffield, and parts of Windsor and East Granby, in the General Assembly.