House Republican Press Release

April 28, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. RYAN APPLAUDS ALTERNATIVE REPUBLICAN BUDGET

“CUTS GAS TAXES, BUSINESS TAXES, OFFERS EARLY STATE WORKER RETIREMENT”

HARTFORD – State Representative John Ryan of (Darien, Rowayton) joined fellow House Republican leaders today announcing support for an alternative Republican budget offered today would cut state gas taxes, eliminate a business tax and balance by offering thousands of state employees an early retirement plan that will reduce spending by $163 million next year, according to the non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis.

“Once again, Republican legislators are trying to point out what our taxpayers already know, that we are taxing and spending more than necessary, and more than is prudent,” said Rep. John Ryan.

With just 10 days remaining in the legislative session House and Senate Republicans put forth a balanced tax and spending plan that will not raise taxes, streamlines government and will avoid potentially huge budget deficits in the coming years.

Rep. Ryan added, “This is a common sense plan, like our proposal last year, that can and should become the State's budget for this year. Our businesses and our individual taxpayers don't need more talk, they need action now."

Democratic leaders have said they are content to not make major changes in the 2008-09 budget because of recent drops in revenue projections. The Republican alternative would:

· Cuts gas prices by 10 cents through a summer state tax moratorium and a roll back the scheduled gross receipts tax increase of .5 percent on July 1. Those roll backs will save consumers $50 millions Republicans said.

· Eliminates the $250 Business Entity Tax that all businesses pay just for opening their doors over two years to save $35 million ($17.5 million in the first year)

· Phases out of the so-called Death Tax cliff that will save estates $24 million and help keep more people in Connecticut ($12 million in the first year).

· Offers up to 11,600 eligible state workers an early retirement incentive program, or ERIP, to save a projected $163 million in the next fiscal year.

The ERIP offered in 2003 in the midst of the last state fiscal crisis saw more than 4,000 workers retire and cut the state payroll by more than $155 million. Republicans stresses that no state worker would lose his or her job because of the ERIP. The incentive plan will be a matter of personal choice and that the enrollment period could begin immediately.