House Republican Press Release

May 9, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

GOOD Q POLL NUMBERS, HIGHER STATE REVENUES VALIDATE HOUSE REPUBLICAN ‘NO TAX INCREASE’ BUDGET

HARTFORD – State revenue projections for the next two years jumped by nearly $884 million today, according to the latest non-partisan figures, lending even more support to the House Republican “No Tax Increase’’ budget plan that finished first in a statewide independent Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday morning.

The one-two stamp of approval House Republicans received for their budget plan “fundamentally alters’’ the debate over fiscal policy and creates pressure to deliver a budget that contains no tax increases, House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero said this afternoon.    

The poll released early this morning (May 9) showed that 41 percent of  respondents prefer the House Republican “No Tax Increase,’’ compared to 33 percent for the Democratic plan to spend $2.1 billion more, and Gov. Rell’s across the board 10 percent income tax plan to pay  for her education proposal.

“The Q Poll validates what we have been saying since Day One: State residents rejected the Democratic plan to spend through the roof and Connecticut understands it will provide no tax relief,’’ Cafero said. “The new surplus projections further validate our position that the state already collects too much from taxpayers. Our Republican House budget meets the needs of Connecticut, whether it is education, having a sound energy policy, providing quality health care or protecting the environment.’’

Connecticut will collect nearly $884 million more than anticipated according to the Office of Fiscal Analysis. The Republican budget presented April 24 relies higher than anticipated revenue collections to balance. They note that no state accounts are cut; in fact most are increased.

“The poll numbers don’t lie. No one believes the Democrats when they tell you they plan to spend $2 billion more and everyone gets a tax cut. The new higher revenue projections should convince everyone that no tax increase is necessary,’’ Cafero said.