House Republican Press Release

July 5, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

2007 Legislative Session Wrap Up

UNDERMANNED HOUSE REPUBLICANS COME FROM BEHIND TO CLAIM MAJOR LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES

TAXPAYERS PROTECTED FROM DEMOCRATIC POCKETBOOK, POWER GRABS

HARTFORD – Despite overwhelming obstacles and faced with a huge Democratic majority, the House Republicans in the recently concluded legislative session played the key role in securing a No Tax Increase budget for the next two fiscal years while committing historic resources for school funding, health care expansion and passing a long-term energy conservation plan.

The final budget approved in special session June 23 most closely resembled the one House Republicans proposed on April 24 when they took the bold step of presenting a tax and spending plan that increased current state services in virtually every area but had no tax increases. House Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., of Norwalk played a pivotal role at the budget negotiating table for weeks and in the end the Republicans and Democrats waked away with a budget deal absent property and income tax increases.

Among the major successes this session aside from the budget:

· A long-term energy plan that relies on conservation measures and efficiencies to achieve lower electrical bills;

· Fully funding the teachers’ retirement fund. Last year House Republicans efforts to force a constitutional amendment vote were rebuffed by Democrats who this year bowed to outside public pressure to fully fund the accounts;

· Enactment of much of the House Republicans public safety measures including tougher penalties for child predators;

· The passage of law to provide wrongly-jailed James Tillman with $5 million.

For additional information and the press’ perspective of the House Republicans’ efforts in the 2007 session, please view these stories and editorials. (.pdf / 817kb)