House Republican Press Release

April 25, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps Noujaim, D’Amelio: House Republican No Tax Hike Budget Will Keep CT Economy Strong

Budget Proposal Means More Jobs for Greater Waterbury; Increases in State Aid for Education

The ‘No Tax Increase’ alternative budget unveiled Tuesday by state House Republican Leaders will strengthen Connecticut’s economy, mean more jobs for Greater Waterbury residents, and provide more state education aid to municipalities than they receive under the current year’s budget, state representatives Selim Noujaim, R-74^th District, and Anthony J. D’Amelio, R-71^st District, said today.

“The initial budget which had been proposed previously increases taxes and spending well beyond the means of the people of our state. The Republican plan provides more funding for priority programs such as education, health care, and energy conservation without any increases in taxes. Funds to fulfill our obligations would come from the surplus money in this year's budget," Representative Noujaim said.

“The tax increases the Appropriations Committee had proposed in its budget would impose hardship on residents, would hurt the business climate and would mean fewer jobs for Greater Waterbury residents,” Representative Noujaim said.

 “The budget approved by the Appropriations Committee would spend about $17.8 billion in 2008 and approximately $18.7 billion in 2009. Our alternative proposal calls for the expenditure of about $17.3 billion in 2008 and $17.9 billion in 2009. The Appropriations Committee budget would require an overall tax increase of 15 percent for 2008 – 2009. Our budget proposal, which does not cut funding for existing programs from current levels and provides increases for priority programs, does not increase taxes,” said Representative D’Amelio, an Appropriations Committee member.

“The Appropriations Committee budget would put an end to sales tax exemptions that benefit working families. It would mean they will have to start paying sales taxes on clothing costing less than $50 and on internet purchases. It also would mean parents would lose the back to school week in August when they can buy clothing and shoes for their children without paying sales tax,” Representative D’Amelio said.

Under the Republican alternative budget, Waterbury would receive $8,202,594 more in state education assistance than is provided in the current year’s budget while Middlebury would gain an additional $345,109, the legislators said.