House Republican Press Release

June 23, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps Greene, Labriola, Williams: House Republicans Averted Major Tax Hikes in 2008-09 Budget

Education Aid Increased for Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Naugatuck, Oxford, Seymour, Southbury, Watertown and Woodbury

The 2008-09 budget approved by the state House of Representatives early Saturday morning holds the line on state taxes, while increasing Education Cost Sharing grants for Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Naugatuck, Oxford, Seymour, Southbury, Watertown and Woodbury, state Representatives Len Greene, David K. Labriola and Sean Williams said today.

“This budget we approved early this morning would not have been possible if the House Republican caucus had not offered an alternative to the packages proposed by the governor and the majority Democrats earlier this year,” said Representative Len Greene, R-105^th District. “Both of the proposals that were on the table before we presented ours on April 24^th featured major tax increases. Our ‘No Tax Increase’ package gave the people of Connecticut a real choice and ours was the budget a Quinnipiac University poll showed most people preferred.”

“This is a victory for the taxpayers,” said state Representative David K. Labriola, R-131^st District. “I strongly supported the ‘no tax increase’ feature of the budget we approved today. Although I would have preferred a budget with more fiscal restraint, on balance, this is a package that will be good for the people of my district and for all of Connecticut.”

 “While I am not happy about the significant increases in spending, I am very pleased that there are no new or expanded taxes on personal income or small businesses,” said state Representative Sean Williams, R-68^th District. “Considering that we started the session with massive tax increase proposals, the House Republicans scored a massive victory by successfully fighting those efforts.”

Under the 2008-09 budget:

Ansonia’s Education Cost Sharing grant increases from $12,883,369 in 2007 to $14,413,145 in 2008 and to $15,047,323 in 2009 for an overall increase of $2,163,954.

Beacon Falls’ Education Cost Sharing grant increases from $3,437,310 in 2007 to $3,878,693 in 2008 and to $4,049,355 in 2009, for an overall increase of $612.045.

Naugatuck’s Education Cost Sharing grant increases from $25,898,435 in 2007 to $28,000,953 in 2008 and to $29,232,995 in 2009, for an overall increase of $3,334,560.

Oxford’s Education Cost Sharing grant increases from $3,876,807 in 2007 to S4,418,171 in 2008 and to $4,612,571 in 2009 for an overall increase of $735,764.

Seymour’s Education Cost Sharing grant increases from $8,445,682 in 2007 to $9,431,701 in 2008 and to $9,846,696 in 2009, for an overall increase of $1,401,014.

Southbury’s Education Cost Sharing grant increases from $1,253,501 in 2007 to $2,331,003 in 2008 and to $2,433,567 in 2009, for an overall increase of $1,180,066.

Watertown’s Education Cost Sharing grant increases from $10,108,359 in 2007 to $11,265,714 in 2008 and to $11,761,405 in 2009, for an overall increase of $1,653,046.

Woodbury’s Education Cost Sharing grant increases from $700,133 in 2007 to $814,372 in 2008 and to $850,204 in 2009, for an overall increase of $150,071.