Rep Hamzy: Democrats Avoid Spending Cuts, Vote for More Taxes

HARTFORD – House Republicans once again offered real solutions to eliminate the state’s $466 million deficit with real spending cuts after Democrats, for the fifth time in 13 months, once again avoided dealing with Connecticut’s flowing red ink and instead opted for more tax hikes and more borrowing to pay for operating expenses. . 

The alternative Republican deficit mitigation plan has no tax hikes and eliminated the entire deficit built into the Democratic budget just two months after it was passed with no Republican votes. The Democrats’ plan included a $77 million tax hike to settle estates and a one-time state employee pension fund grab of another $100 million. Overall, the Democrats reduced spending by just $12 million with $5 million of that coming from the fund that underwrites political campaigns.

“I really can’t believe that this is the best the Democrats could come up with after all this time,” said Representative William Hamzy (R- Plymouth) after session ended Monday night. “Their plan consisted of deferring a $100 million contribution to an already underfunded state employee pension fund and a mere $12 million reduction in state spending.  We can’t keep ‘chipping away’ at this deficit.  That doesn’t address the reasons we have a deficit. I realize it is difficult to say no and to make cuts, but we were elected to make difficult decisions. I wish more of the super-majority Democrats had the courage to do what we were elected to do.”

Republicans restored critical funding for endangered programs such as the Licensed Professional Nurse courses at community colleges and eliminated the Citizens Election Fund altogether. Hamzy said the Republican plan to reduce spending in most state accounts by 7.8 percent was the best approach because most critical programs were retained. The Republican alternative plan failed 34-104.

“Unless and until we fix our government’s spending problem, we will keep coming back to Hartford to deal with deficit mitigations,” said Rep. Hamzy. “The people of Connecticut deserve better than this.  They deserve better from us. This is not responsible governing.”