House Republican Press Release

October 15, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

STATE REP. SCRIBNER CALLS FOR ACROSS-THE-BOARD SPENDING CUTS TO ADDRESS $300 MILLION DEFICIT

Says Spending Cuts Should Start In The Legislature Itself

State Rep. David Scribner (R-Brookfield, Bethel) today proposed state spending cuts to help address a projected $300 million budget deficit, highlighting government spending and projects in the state Capitol that taxpayers cannot afford. He joined with fellow House and Senate Republican legislators in calling for the reductions. In September 2008, Rep. Scribner, who serves on the Legislature’s tax-writing Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, participated in a four-hour forum at the State Capitol that featured testimony from the governor’s budget and revenue offices as well as non-partisan fiscal analysts and legislative researchers regarding the status and growth forecast for the deficit.

Rep. Scribner cited numerous examples of Capitol projects and budget items - from $1.7 million in printing costs, to expensive statues, $255,000 in new signage and wasteful special legislative sessions – that should be eliminated because of the deficit. He called for the Legislature to act immediately on a bipartisan basis to close a budget gap of slightly less than 2 percent in the state’s $18 billion budget-- and not wait for more hearings or studies. Many other states are acting now to close deficits and he said Connecticut must do likewise, said Rep. Scribner.

“Thousands of families in Connecticut are feeling the impact of the current economy and cutting back on their own budgets,” said Rep. Scribner. “Rather than look at raising taxes or raiding state emergency funds, the Legislature should lead by example reduce spending that we have direct control over.”

Rep. Scribner noted that the Office of Legislative Management has requested a 7.9 percent spending increase for its operating budget. He joined with Republican leaders in asking Democrat leaders to rescind their request and flat-fund the budget for 2009-11.  Every state budget office and fiscal entity - Republican, Democrat or non-partisan - agrees that Connecticut faces mounting deficits.  Whether the examples are symbolic or significant, Rep. Scribner said the public has a right to know about government spending and cited:

· A special legislative session last Dec. 5 that cost taxpayers $1,000 per minute could have been replaced with a technical session at virtually no cost;

· 100 yards of European black marble is being replaced in the Legislative Office Building for $200,000, even though there is no safety issue;

· $255,000 in new signs throughout the building;

· Brand new Liquid Crystal Display screens have just been installed in hearing rooms replacing old televisions that Republicans said they never used in the first place;

· The state of Connecticut spends nearly $300,000 on pagers despite technology that has rendered them obsolete.

· 65 separate local projects for House and Senate Democrats handed out by the Senate president and House Speaker for members totaling more than $2.3 million compared to zero Republican projects.