House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

February 7, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Reps Hamzy, Burns: Governor’s Budget Has Some Good News for Bristol Taxpayers

 

Big Increase in Education Aid Would Help Ease Property Tax Burden on City Taxpayers

 

Governor M. Jodi Rell’s proposed state budget includes some good news for Bristol taxpayers, a substantial increase in state education funding, which if sustained by the state legislature, could help ease the city’s property tax burden, state Representatives William A. Hamzy, R-78th District, and Ron Burns, R-77th District, said today.

“Although I have serious concerns about some of the tax and spending increases that are part of the Governor’s budget, I strongly support the changes in the state’s Education Cost Sharing program that she has proposed. If these changes are coupled with measures to control the increasing costs of government services, it will go a long way toward providing property tax relief,” Representative Hamzy said.

“I applaud Governor Rell for taking bold steps to actually address education issues, such as funding and accountability, and her innovative approach to property tax reform. The governor’s proposed increases in E. C. S. funding for our city will help alleviate the unfair burden that has been placed on city taxpayers for far too long,” Representative Burns said. 

“With that said, I do have reservations about breaking the spending cap and increasing the income tax to fund this initiative. In the months ahead, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will be listening to input from my constituents and working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft legislation that will be fair to the taxpayers,” Representative Burns said.

If the increases are enacted as proposed, the city’s E. C. S. grant would increase significantly over the next several years. It would go from $35,390,494 in Fiscal Year 2007 to $41,111,508 in FY 2008, Representatives Burns and Hamzy said.

In 2009, it would increase to $44,952,908; in 2010, to $49,680,324; in 2011, to $55,408,566; and in 2012, to $64,071,283. The overall increase between 2007 and 2012 would amount to $28,680,789, the legislators said.