House Republican Press Release

May 30, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

House Republicans: Democrats’ tax package raises taxes on all Connecticut consumers

House Republicans Rep. Anne Ruwet (R-Torrington), Rep. Craig Miner (R-Litchfield), Rep. John Piscopo (R-Thomaston), and Rep. Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) today voted against the Democrats’ tax package for 2008-2009 that would have resulted in an increased tax burden on each and every Connecticut consumer.

The Democrats, apparently wanting to flex the muscle of their “super majority” in the House, passed a tax package that would eliminate the sales tax exemption on clothing items costing $50 or less, resulting in a significant negative impact on all Connecticut consumers.

The ill-conceived Democratic tax plan also calls for a tax on all funeral expenses, eliminating and exemption on the first $2,500 which exists under current law, and would institute a sales tax on Internet purchases. Income taxes on many small business owners and families, cigarette taxes, as well as estate taxes are also significantly increased with this tax proposal. All this at a time when Connecticut is swimming in surplus monies (estimated to be $840 million) due to unnecessary over taxation.

“This tax proposal is not sustainable moving forward, and significantly strays from the path we should going down, which is controlling spending and reducing taxes,” said state Rep. Craig Miner (R-Litchfield).

“Why the Democrats feel compelled to raise taxes at a time when we have huge surpluses, and our residents are struggling to make ends meet is beyond me,” said state Rep. Anne Ruwet (R-Torrington. “I and my colleagues will continue to fight for a no-tax-increase budget, which clearly is called for given the current set of circumstances.”

“Tax and spend, tax and spend, it’s like a broken record,” said state Rep. John Piscopo (R-Thomaston). “At a time when we should be bringing spending under control and offering tax incentives to revitalize our state economy, the Democrats can only offer more of the same. This tax plan is not in the best interest of the people of 76^th District or the state of Connecticut.”

“The House Republican no-tax-increase budget is a responsible alternative to the tax increases offered by the Democratic majority,” said state Rep. Kevin Witkos (R-Canton). “We have shown the way to fiscal responsibility, but the Democrats are only interested in continuing to feed the beast with hard-earned taxpayer money.”