Bacchiochi Votes Against Massive Tax Hikes, Borrowing

HARTFORD — Rep. Penny Bacchiochi tonight voted against a huge tax-hike budget that held virtually no spending cuts while demonstrating the legislature’s majority party is unwilling to compromise to settle the state’s multi-billion dollar budget crisis. Bacchiochi, who represents Somers, Stafford, and Union said the plan from Democrat leadership put a sales tax cut — from 6 percent to 5.5 percent — proposed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell in jeopardy while threatening to create huge budget holes next year that will require even more tax increases. “We’ve gone half a year without the majority reducing state spending or giving us a hint that they’re willing to make government run even a little more efficient,” said Bacchiochi, Republican Caucus Chair. “This economy has forced my constituents to trim their household budgets, to change the way they live. It’s time their legislature face that reality.”Instead, the budget put forth by the majority is built on unprecedented levels of debt, gimmicks and holes that will require even more taxes in the near future, Bacchiochi said.

The party’s liberal approach to getting Connecticut on solid financial footing calls for a $1.5 billion increase in taxes, borrowing $2 billion to plug holes in the next two years, emptying the $1.4 billion Rainy Day account and counting on $1.5 billion in federal stimulus money.

Right now, the state’s two-year budget deficit stands upward of $8 billion.

Last week, Rell offered her compromise plan to settle the budget standoff and Democrats responded by increasing taxes without corresponding savings in state government.

“It’s disheartening that this proposal is the best they could do for Connecticut when so many people are struggling to find work,” Bacchiochi said. “For months, majority members promised a smarter, leaner and more effective government. Instead, already frustrated residents get more of the same—that means more spending, more taxes.”

Bacchiochi and her Republican colleagues have offered alternative “No Tax Increase” budgets three times with significant spending cuts but preserved critical social services programs, maintained aid to towns and cities and schools to mitigate against local property tax hikes.

Bacchiochi said there were others reasons for voting against the Democratic plan:
• It delays the proposed sales tax cut from 6 percent to 5.5 percent and could eliminate it altogether next year depending on revenue projections;
• It claims spending cuts of $380 million but only $180 million is realistic;

The budget plan now goes to Rell for action.