GOP offers no-tax-increase budget
House and Senate Republicans today proposed an alternative balanced budget that eliminates massive proposed taxed increases, preserves vital programs and services at 2007 levels, and greatly reduces government costs through consolidations, agency mergers, retirements and salary and benefit concessions. The proposal requires no reduction to municipal aid – including no reduction in education funding to any town – and it restores the $500 property tax credit.
“This budget was very difficult to put together and requires sacrifices from labor, as well as spending cuts that are tough for everyone,” said state Rep. Bill Aman (R-South Windsor). “But in these difficult economic times, we don’t have much choice. We are asking state agencies to do what municipalities and private businesses are doing to make it through this tough economic stretch.”
Republicans balanced their budget by rolling back spending levels, combining state agencies, offering state workers early retirement and bringing state employee benefits more in line with the private sector. For example, we would raise the co-pays on prescription drugs from $3 to $10 on generics, $6 to $20 on name brands, up to $25 for some specific drugs.
Republicans are committed with Democrats and Gov. Rell to produce a two-year budget Connecticut can afford and not drive more businesses out of state or raise taxes. Gov. Rell’s February budget had no tax increases, but state revenues have continued to deteriorate. The Democrats earlier this month proposed the largest tax hike in Connecticut history – $3.3 billion – at a time when Connecticut residents can least afford it.
The highlights of the Republican alternative are:
• Early retirement to save more than $285 million;
• State worker concessions for salary, health care and pension benefits that save $662 million;
• Folding 23 agencies into six and implementing a hiring freeze to reduce overhead costs;
• Overhauling the higher education bureaucracy that duplicates services and drives up tuition for families struggling to pay for college;
• Preserving school and municipal aid;
• Using the Rainy Day Fund for what it was intended – fiscal distress;
• Restoring $25 million in municipal aid cut by Democrats and the $500 property tax credit for families earning as little as $46,000;
• Imposing $900 million in actual cuts.
One Response to “GOP offers no-tax-increase budget”
Bill, Lynn and I met you at Tavern Night at Wood Memorial Library on May 1. Your support was greatly appreciated. My staff at Wood and I were shocked to read of the proposed 6% admissions tax for non profits such as museums, theaters and historic sites. I refer to Senate Bill 932.
In a time when non profits are struggling to stay afloat, in a time when Connecticut Opera was shut down due to lack of funds, and other major arts organizations are less than optimistic about their future, this 6% admission tax seems ill timed to say the least.
Coupled with the fact that State funding for the arts in Connecticut is being trimmed as well, this is like rubbing salt in the wound!
As President of Connecticut Concert Opera (the only remaining opera company in Greater Hartford) and as Executive Director of the non profit private Wood Memorial Library and Museum in South Windsor, where we are trying to build audiences, the 6% tax will only serve to delay growth in arts participation.
In rough economic times, the low pricing at Wood Library and at Connecticut Concert Opera permits more of those with reduced income to hear the great music, and to participate in other cultural activities at a time when music, art, literature, lectures, poetry, film and theater are more crucial to the soul of our society than ever.
I urge you to use your influence to stop this admission tax. It is a bad idea and contrary to the goals of our great state.
John D. Wadhams
Comment made on May 18th, 2009 at 2:48 am(860) 289-1783 Wood Library Mondays and Thursdays
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