Stripp Votes No on $2.25 Billion in Taxes

The majority party needs to come to the table and help reform state government not continue to propose irresponsible and punitive budgets that will raise taxes on working families and kill jobs. Our alternative budget had no tax increase and cuts spending by more than $1 billion more than the Democrats,’’ Stripp said.“We streamlined government because it was the honest and right thing to do at a time when the rest of Connecticut is in economic pain. The cost of government is unsustainable at current spending levels,’’ he added.The Democratic budget:
• Raises income taxes by as much as 50 percent on higher earners and the increases start at $265,000 annually;
• Imposes a 30 percent surcharge on the “death’’ or inheritance tax;
• Has a 25 percent surcharge on companies that make a profit;
• Increases cigarette tax by 75 cents;
• Calls for the sale of $112 million in state assets after criticizing Republicans for proposing the idea;
• Closes two prisons which will dramatically affect public safety, both inside and outside  of jail;

The Republican budget:
• Has no tax increases, is balanced and combines numerous state agencies;
• Eliminates the fund to pay for political races to save $56 million;
• Includes the Special Transportation Fund which the Democrats ignore;
• Preserves $140 million in film tax credits to create thousands of jobs;
• Preserves all municipal aid including schools and public libraries.

Some other items that are not in the Republican budget:
• No reduction in aid for private providers;
• No fare increases for public transportation;
• Does not eliminate tourism and cultural grants;
• No increases in nursing registration fees;
• No Cuts to the Gun Trafficking Task Force
• No cuts to the Urban Violence Task Force.“The supermajority party seems to always choose to propose raising taxes, not reducing government spending when tough decisions need to be made. Republicans continue to believe that Connecticut simply cannot afford its bloated bureaucracy any longer,” Stripp said.