House Republican Press Release

May 9, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. CARON: VOTERS FAVORS REPUBLICAN ‘NO TAX INCREASE’ BUDGET

HARTFORD – A new Quinnipiac University Poll shows that the House Republican No Tax Increase’ budget is overwhelmingly favored by state residents compared to other budget proposals, noted Assistant House Minority Leader Michael Caron, R-44, Killingly, Plainfield, Sterling.

Rep. Caron said, “Voters recognize this it is a reasonable approach to maintain services and  support initiatives without raising taxes, especially when the state has been running continued surpluses totaling in the billions of dollars.”

In the Quinnipiac Poll released May 9, the Republican No Tax Increase budget drew the most support among respondents with 41 percent saying they favored it. A Democratic proposal to increase spending by $2.1 billion received support of 33 percent of those who responded, and the Governor’s proposed budget with a 10 percent tax increase to  pay for her education plan was supported by 16 percent of respondents.

“The numbers don’t lie. People don’t believe the Democrats’ claim they will give a big tax cut. It is clear majority Democrats cannot increase spending by $2 billion and tell everyone their taxes are going down,” Caron added.

The poll also confirms what Republicans have said. Connecticut residents do not support the Democrats’ plan to increase taxes on clothing, Internet sales and the price of a funeral. “After these tax increases are subtracted, the Democrats’ plan leaves the average person with enough money to buy a cup of coffee,’’ Caron said.

Caron said he was encouraged by the polling results because this fundamentally changes the legislative debate. “We are seeing a change in the public debate. The public does not want to see their taxes go up and they have made that clear,” Caron said.