House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

May 30, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Klarides Criticizes Flawed House Democrat Budget

 

Tax Increases Target Middle and Lower Income Residents

 

HARTFORD- Deputy House Republican Leader Themis Klarides (R-Derby) and members of the House Republican caucus today opposed a House Democrat budget plan which was sold as a tax cut for 95% of residents, but in fact offered cuts to a small number, while increasing other taxes that will be paid by every man, woman and child in Connecticut.

 

With the state having a nearly $900 million budget surplus, Democrats offered a plan that increases spending by 10.5%, or $1.6 billion, and raises taxes by $1 billion. Since the budget is out of balance, they will need to raise taxes even further down the road.

 

 The budget also drops the sales tax exemption on clothing under $50, and eliminates the once a year sales tax holiday on clothing under $300 during the back-to-school shopping season.

 

Ironically, after spending two weeks lambasting a proposal by the House GOP to provide a Gas Tax Holiday, eliminating the 25 cent per gallon tax on gasoline from Memorial Day until Labor Day, the Democrats included it in their proposal.

 

“Obviously, the Gas Tax Holiday was too popular with Connecticut voters for the Democrats to turn away,” said Klarides.  “Unfortunately, they have stacked their budget with so many tax increases, there relief they are offering Connecticut motorists is negligible.”

 

House Republicans were defeated on party lines in an attempt to amend the budget, implementing the Gas Tax Holiday, and stripping the tax increases.

 

“The Democrats are determined to raise taxes, even though we have an enormous surplus,” said Klarides.  I continue to believe we can get a budget that doesn’t increase taxes on anyone, while providing the Gas Tax Holiday to Connecticut motorists.”

 

Klarides predicted that since the Governor has pledged not to support these kinds of tax increases, and the package disagrees with a tax package passed by the Senate the previous evening that the bill was dead on arrival.

 

“Perhaps now we can begin working toward a meaningful budget for the people of Connecticut,” she added.

 

This session of the Connecticut General Assembly concludes at midnight on June 6th.