Cafero, Rell, Other Republicans Stand United Against Tax Increases

HARTFORD – House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., today reaffirmed his caucus’ opposition to raising any taxes and said the revised budget released by Gov. M. Jodi Rell mirrors the Republican plan released April 16 that contained deep spending cuts, preserves municipal and school aid.The plan utilizes more than $300 million in additional lottery revenues rather than raising taxes. Towns and cities will also see millions more for special education by replacing state funding with new federal stimulus money.

“We stand united to offer a better alternative to raising taxes to cover the projected deficit. Businesses struggling to stay open and families and workers trying to meet their own monthly budgets cannot afford higher taxes,’’ House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., said.

“This proposal stands in stark contrast to the competing Democratic plan which would raise all taxes by $3.3 billion,’’ Cafero said. He was joined by Senate Republican Leader John McKinney of Fairfield

Republicans said they would continue to work to pass a budget before the mandated end of the legislative session June 3. They also noted that the state fiscal crisis demands that all parties share in the burden of closing the estimated $8 billion budget gap.

“While we might prefer not to have to make some of these spending cuts and want to provide more services and local aid, our current fiscal problems dictate a different scenario

The proposal also features:

• Flat funding for schools;
• Keno gambling in various locations that will add hundreds of millions in new revenue;
• $10 million to subsidize state dairy farms
• Flat funding for schools;
• Additional consolidations of state agencies;
• Closes state offices that duplicate work already being done in other agencies

Cafero added, “We have believed from the outset that the spending levels were too high and could not be supported by declining revenues. We have offered Connecticut a choice – a choice between more taxes or less spending,’’ Cafero said.