Tax Credits would benefit Middle Income Taxpayers Squeezed
by High Home Heating, Health Care Costs
Most middle class individuals and families squeezed by
skyrocketing health care and home heating expenses
would get a significant reduction in their state income tax
liability if tax credits proposed today by House Republicans become law, said state
Representatives Anthony J. D’Amelio and Selim Noujaim.
The House Republican proposals were unveiled at a news conference today at the
Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
“If the economic downturn many are predicting hits our state within the next few months,
the tax credits we proposed today will come as welcome relief to middle class taxpayers
in Waterbury, Middlebury and elsewhere in Connecticut who already are struggling to
cope with the increasingly high costs of health care and heating their homes,” said
Representative D’Amelio, R-71st District, who participated in the news conference.
“The tax credits we developed were offered in good faith as a way to help relieve two of
the most burdensome expenses shouldered by middle income taxpayers in Connecticut.
They are similar in spirit to proposals presented by the Senate Democratic caucus earlier
this week, some of which our caucus has supported for years,” said Representative
Noujaim, R-74th District.
“It is our hope that Republican and Democratic legislators can agree on a non-partisan
package for middle class and business tax relief consisting of the best proposals
developed by all four caucuses and pass them as soon as possible,” the legislators said.
For the short term, Republicans outlined a specific timetable of public hearings and
various committee reviews that could produce a bipartisan, comprehensive relief package
by March 19. Republicans proposed using roughly $200 million of the state’s $263
million surplus to:
• Provide maximum income tax credits of up to $500 per household for joint filers
earning up to $150,000 for home heating assistance;
• Provide similar maximum $500 income tax credits to offset out-of-pocket medical
costs.
