House Republican Press Release

April 21, 2005

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. DelGobbo Blasts Democrat Tax and Spending Plan as Fiscal and Economic Disaster

State Representative Kevin M. DelGobbo (R-70^th, Naugatuck) today criticized the Democrats’ proposed $31.7 billion budget and $1.1 billion tax increase as a fiscal and economic disaster for Connecticut.

“I am so astonished. This budget is beyond words, in terms of the harm it will inflict on Connecticut’s future,” said Rep. DelGobbo. “Over $1 billion in new taxes falling heavily on small business owners will strangle job creation in our state. The tax plan even raises your taxes after you are dead.”

Rep. DelGobbo added, “This is an irresponsible direction to take. I cannot imagine how any legislator could seriously contemplate a billion dollars in new taxes at this time. Connecticut is already lagging the rest of the nation in economic recovery, job creation and income growth.”

He noted, the Democratic-controlled Appropriations Committee adopted a $31.7-billion, biennial budget that is $627 million more than Governor M. Jodi Rell recommended. The committee plan represents a 13 percent spending hike over two years, increases taxes by $1.06 billion over two years and violates the state’s constitutional spending cap by $434 million.

Rep. DelGobbo particularly criticized the Democrats’ tax package that includes reinstating death taxes that were scheduled to be phased out, extending corporate surcharges that were set to expire and delays a planned tax cut on single taxpayers.

He noted that the tax package especially targets people who own local businesses and who have invested in the community and hired local workers.

“In spite of all that,” Rep. DelGobbo added, “it does not even balance. In year two, even after a billion-dollars tax increase, the budget comes up short by $54.2 million. This is the worst fiscal plan for the state of Connecticut that I have ever seen.”