House Republican Press Release

June 25, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Mike Alberts Supports State Budget Agreement

Says Final Budget Mirrors Republicans’ No-Tax Increase Budget Alternative

Budget Boosts State Aid to Schools and Towns in Northeastern Connecticut

State Rep. Mike Alberts, R-50^th, Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret, Woodstock, today supported the new state budget that increases aid to public schools, provides more funds for town services and health care, and yet holds down state taxes.

“This budget is a major achievement for the people of northeastern Connecticut,” said Rep. Alberts. “Students will receive more aid for public schools. Towns will receive stable funding for roads and other public services. Yet, there will be no increases in the state income tax, the state sales tax nor many of the other personal and business tax hikes that had been proposed.”

“This budget shows there is no need to raise taxes when the state is running billion-dollar-a-year surpluses,” added Rep. Alberts. “Our budget proposal changed the debate from raising taxes to holding the line on taxes. The state can maintain services for people in need and increase aid to municipalities within existing revenues, and this final budget agreement proves that to be true.”

“When the state continually raises taxes,” said Rep. Alberts, “it drives families, young adults, businesses, jobs and retirees away to lower-cost states. Instead, my Republican colleagues and I have been supporting proposals this year to keep young families, senior citizens and businesses in Connecticut where they can contribute to the community and the state.”

Highlights of the budget include:

Brooklyn will receive $7,652,247 in fiscal year beginning July 1, up $646,705 from the current fiscal year. Brooklyn is scheduled to receive $7,946,355 in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, an additional $294,108 increase.

Eastford will receive $1,252,649 in the fiscal year beginning July 1, up $90,893 from the current fiscal year. Eastford is scheduled to receive $1,299,426 in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, an additional $46,777 increase.

Hampton will receive $1,519,682 in the fiscal year beginning July 1, up $47,519 from the current fiscal year. Hampton is scheduled to receive $1,576,055 in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, an additional $56,373 increase.

Pomfret will receive $3,297,523 in the fiscal year beginning July 1, up $312,775 from the current fiscal year. Pomfret is scheduled to receive $3,427,873 in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, an additional $130,350 increase.

Woodstock will receive $5,645,287 in the fiscal year beginning July 1, up $560,228 from the current fiscal year. Woodstock is scheduled to receive $5,872,457 in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, an additional $227,170 increase.