PRESS RELEASE: Republican Leaders Critical of Gov. Malloy's Proposed Budget

Editor's note: The following is a press release courtesy of the Connecticut General Assembly.

HARTFORD - Republican state legislators today expressed deep concern about the levels of taxing and increased spending in Governor Dannel Malloy’s proposed budget. Deputy House Republican Leaders Themis Klarides of Woodbridge, Orange and Derby along with Vincent J. Candelora of East Haven, North Branford and Wallingford said the governor’s budget fails to curb state spending, while missing an opportunity to fundamentally restructure state government.

“The governor proposed a budget today that actually increases the size of our state budget. This fiscal year the state budget is $19.3 billion. Governor Malloy’s proposal will put next year’s state budget at $19.7 billion and then onto $20.2 billion the following year. Is that a budget cut?  Governor Malloy promised shared sacrifice, but where is the government sacrifice?” said Candelora.

“A $3 billion tax hike over the next two years paired with a budget increase will be a hard pill for residents in my area to swallow. If you include the hospital taxes, we’re looking at $4 billion in taxes. Taxes were supposed to be a last resort. Instead we see increased taxes and increased spending,” Klarides said.

The governor’s proposal spends $900 million more over the next two years, according to Malloy’s own budget director Ben Barnes.

Klarides added, “For months we’ve heard this budget would be based on cuts and sacrifices. The people of Connecticut and our small businesses have already sacrificed. We’re getting hit on all fronts with tax increases, but who among us are getting pay raises? With unemployment over 9 percent, tax increases are not the right answer to creating jobs. It’s our small businesses who will be the ones that suffer most.”

“Tax hikes on hair cuts, alcohol sales, clothing and gas hit Connecticut’s middle class the hardest,” said Candelora. “The middle class has already had to cut back. Increasing costs on these things will only hurt the small businesses that provide them.”

Klarides and Candelora cited some positive aspects of the governor’s budget.

“Governor Malloy stuck to his commitment not to use borrowing to fill our budget deficit. He also pushed for more rescission authority, which will allow the Executive Branch to make deeper cuts in spending. I'm also pleased to see he continues to support the adoption of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which will make government accounting more transparent,” said Candelora.

“Union contracts currently go into effect without the approval of the legislature.  I was glad to hear the governor included measures to increase accountability on these contracts and is committing to pushing for $1 billion in union concessions. He also stuck to his promise not cut education aid to Connecticut municipalities,” said Klarides.

For more information, visit www.cthouserules.com.