House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

April 24, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Sawyer Supports ‘NO TAX INCREASE’ Republican Budget Proposal

 

HARTFORD –House Republican Whip Pamela Z. Sawyer (R-Bolton) stood with House Republicans today as they unveiled an alternative budget plan that requires no new taxes. Being balanced, it would save taxpayers at least $1 billion over the next two years without slashing vital state services.

 

Sawyer said “The towns of the 55th district would receive $1.39 million of additional state aid for education under the ‘No-Tax-Increase’ Republican budget alternative with no increase in the state income tax.” The Republican budget proposal also would begin to reduce other taxes, including the state income tax on senior citizen pension benefits, a measure that Sawyer proposed earlier this year.

 

In startling contrast to the expensive Democratic plan that would increase spending a whopping $1.7 billion statewide and increase income taxes in Andover, Bolton, Hebron and Marlborough by $5.84 million, the Republican plan would spare taxpayers any more tax pain.

 

Sawyer noted that the Republican plan also increases spending in many areas:

 

·          $358 million in public school funding and $1.1 billion for fully funding teachers’ pensions;

·         Medicaid reimbursement for hospitals increases by $87 million to expand healthcare access for low income families;

·         Another $50 million for other providers and $13 million for nursing homes;

·         Municipal aid for town and city PILOTS, Town Aid Road and the Pequot Fund goes up by $23 million;

·         $20 million for a unique first-time home buyer’s initiative for college graduates that will help keep young people in Connecticut;

·         Dedicates $2 million to help state dairy farmers meet the rising costs of doing business.

 

“There is already a tremendous burden on the middle class and smaller towns in Connecticut,” said Representative Sawyer.  “This budget that we are offering will significantly increase the amount of ECS funds invested in education, and more equitably distribute education funds statewide.  We have consistently underestimated budget revenues over the past fifteen years, resulting in large surpluses which the Democrat majority promptly spends.

 

“This budget is realistic, and has its priorities in the right places.  With a surplus approaching $800 million there obviously should be no tax increase this year,” Sawyer said, noting that the legislature’s non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis has indicated that the GOP budget is based on sound fiscal budgeting.

 

For more information on the plan, click on: http://www.HouseGOP.ct.gov