House Republican Press Release

May 1, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Scribner Votes for Budget Compromise

HARTFORD – On Sunday evening, the state House of Representatives approved a $16 billion state budget that represented a compromise between Legislative Democrats and Governor M. Jodi Rell and legislative Republicans. Representative David Scribner (R-Brookfield) cast his vote in favor of the compromise.

Scribner noted that a phased-out repeal of the corporate surcharge, which Republicans have fought for since the beginning of the legislative session, is included in the final deal.  He also cited as a Republican victory the increase in deposits in the Rainy Day Fund from the Democrats’ proposed $39 million to $190 million, which boosts the fund to $800 million.  The budget deal also fully funds the Teachers’ Pension Fund, which has been repeatedly shortchanged by majority Democrats to fuel other spending projects. 

“There are a number of good things in this budget, but it is a compromise,” said Representative Scribner.  “I would have liked to see additional tax cuts, and some spending cuts, but the fact remains that Republicans are in the minority.  Getting the things we did with the help of the Governor is positive.”

Scribner also noted that getting the final budget under the constitutionally mandated spending cap was a great achievement.  “For years we have been fighting for the budgets to be brought in under the spending cap.  The majority has routinely used gimmicks to get around it, or have flat out ignored it.  Finally reining the budget back in under it is a significant achievement.”

The budget will now head to the Senate for debate there.