House Republican Press Release

April 30, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Williams Votes for Budget Deal

Oakville Legislator Notes Important Republican Victories

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 Sean Williams (R-Oakville) cast his vote in favor of the compromise.

“While we had to sacrifice a number of items we would have liked to see in the budget, we did achieve some important victories,” said Representative Williams.

Williams 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.  “While there are a number of tax cuts for business which we wanted to help improve the economy and increase jobs in the state, this is a good one to get in the deal,” said Williams.  “When you couple that with the phase out of the property tax on machinery and equipment which was approved last week, we have the beginnings of a smart turnaround.”

Williams 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.  “It just makes fiscal sense to fund the Teacher’s Pension Fund,” said Williams.  “Not to mention the fact that the state has the obligation to honor its pact with our educators.”

The final budget also is under the constitutionally mandated spending cap in both years.

“The reality is there are a number of things that the Governor and House Republicans would have liked to see in the final budget, in particular some meaningful spending and tax cuts for Connecticut residents,” said Williams.  “However, the Democrats are in the majority here, and we are constantly fighting against their urge to tax and spend.  Getting a compromise such as we have, and limiting the damage is positive under the circumstances.”

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