House Republican Press Release

April 19, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps. Michael Caron, Mike Alberts Urge Tax Reform

State Reps. Michael Caron, R-Danielson, and Mike Alberts, R-Woodstock, both members of the legislature’s Finance Committee, expressed disappointment at the lack of real property tax reform contained in a proposed $17-billion Democratic budget and tax plan.

“People in Connecticut have been talking about property tax reform for a decade,” Rep. Caron said. “Candidates have campaigned on the promise of reforming property taxes. All we’ve seen so far from a veto-proof supermajority in the legislature is little more than empty rhetoric.”

Rep. Caron added, “It is disappointing that so few results are coming out of the legislature this year. We have proposed tax relief at the state and local level to encourage retired people to stay in Connecticut, close to their family and friends and in their own homes.”

They noted that a budget proposed by Democrats who control the state House and Senate provides a $1,000 property credit when people file state income tax returns next April, but many senior citizens and renters would not qualify for the credit.

Taxpayers filing jointly must have at least $24,000 in taxable income before they owe any state income tax, and taxpayers must have paid at least $1,000 in property taxes to obtain the full property tax credit. Therefore, lower income people, seniors on fixed incomes, as well as renters are unlikely to receive the full benefit of the property tax credit, said Reps. Caron and Alberts.

Rep. Alberts said, “Doubling the property tax credit will help some homeowners next year at tax time and House Republicans have proposed this increased tax credit in the past. However, more needs to be done to help people—especially senior citizens—afford to stay in their own homes.”

Rep. Alberts said, “The state needs to do more to keep young adults and senior citizens from leaving the state for other regions with lower taxes and a lower cost of living. We must do more to control costs so that individuals, families, businesses and jobs remain and thrive in Connecticut.”

Reps. Caron and Alberts said another approach proposed by the governor would cap local property tax increases at three percent per year, except in special circumstances such as emergencies.

The legislature is scheduled to adopt a final spending and tax plan before adjournment on June 6.