Williams: Dem ‘Deficit Mitigation Plan’ Barely Dents Shortfall; Sets Stage for Major Tax Hikes

The refusal by the majority Democrats who control the state legislature to consider more than token cuts in state spending in the face of a mounting budget deficit is setting the stage for major tax increases that could devastate middle class families in the 69th and 68th districts and throughout Connecticut, state Representative Sean Williams said Wednesday. The House Republican proposals would have reduced the state’s mounting deficit by $185 million, $54 million more than the majority Democrats’ plan. The Democrat package also included $250,000 in hidden spending that could further aggravate the state’s fiscal crisis, House Republican leaders said.

“When Democrat legislators rejected the proposals we offered to lower state spending and avoid major tax increases, they showed they are completely out of touch with the vast majority of Connecticut families,” said Representative Williams, R-68th District. “Oakville, Watertown and Woodbury families and citizens throughout Connecticut are struggling to stay afloat in a recession that is worsening every day. When they rejected the prudent and responsible spending reductions we offered, legislative Democrats set the stage for major tax increases that will aggravate and prolong the recession, force more businesses to close their doors and mean more job losses.”

The House Republican proposals would have:

• Delayed an $87 million salary increase package for corrections officers until a budget is in place.
• Restored $54 million in cuts Democrats eliminated from Governor Rell’s budget.
• Reduced legislators’ salaries by five percent.
• Delayed or eliminated expensive state mandates on towns such as in-school suspensions and treated dangerous juvenile offenders as adults, which police departments support.
• House Republican legislators voted against the Democrats’ proposal because it failed to adequately address the excessive state spending that is driving the deficit higher almost every day, Representative Williams said.