House Republican Press Release

May 9, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps Hamzy, Burns: Republican Budget Best for Connecticut, Residents Say Quinnipiac University Poll Shows Majority Favor Republican No Tax Increase Budget

More Connecticut residents support the House Republican ‘No Tax Increase’ budget proposal over the spending packages proposed by the state legislature’s majority Democrats and by Governor Rell, both of which propose significant tax and spending increases, state Representatives William A. Hamzy and Ron Burns said today.

A Quinnipiac University poll released today shows that 41 percent support the Republican plan; 33 percent, the majority Democrats’ plan; and 16 percent, Governor Rell’s plan.

“The poll reinforces what we have been saying for weeks – that most Connecticut residents oppose budgets that would significantly hike their taxes and dramatically increase government spending,” said Representative Hamzy, R-78^th District. “Instead, most people want tax relief, lower energy costs, and affordable health care. When budget negotiations between Republican and Democrat legislative leaders and the governor’s representatives get serious, the Democrats should take the results of this poll to heart and heed the advice of the people they claim to represent.”

“When we put together our budget, our main objective was to show that a budget that maintains current services and invests more in critical areas like education and health care is both possible and feasible,” said Representative Burns, R-77^th District, a member of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee. “Our budget proposal was reviewed by the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis, which found it to be fiscally sound. Now, the people of Connecticut have spoken and by a sizeable margin, agree that our ‘No Tax Increase’ budget is the one they want.”

The poll also showed that a solid majority oppose two key features of the Democrats’ plan – their proposals to eliminate the $50 sales tax exemption on clothing (60 percent oppose it while only 36 percent support it) and to tax internet sales (61 percent are opposed and only 31 percent are in favor). In addition, when asked what they consider the most important issue in Connecticut today, taxes came in first at 29 percent; the economy second at 22 percent, then education and health care, both tied at 8 percent, the legislators said.

“The people of Connecticut clearly understand the Democrat budget proposal very well - and they don’t like what they see,” Representative Hamzy said. “They know that the ‘tax cuts’ the Democrats are claiming will benefit most Connecticut residents are illusory, since much of their so-called tax relief will be eaten up by the loss of tax exemptions that have saved them thousands over the years.”

“This poll shows that the top priority for most residents is tax relief, followed closely by concern about the state’s economy,” Representative Burns said. “Instead of massive tax and spending increases that will undermine the state’s economy and mean more job losses and layoffs, the Democrats should focus on what people really want – tax relief and a strong economy that retains existing jobs and creates new ones.”