Rep. DebraLee Hovey opposed a proposed state budget plan that would have raised a variety of taxes by $2.25 million — the largest increase in state history.  

“Obviously, the legislators who voted for that budget are just not listening to the people of Connecticut, who say they can’t afford any more taxes,” said Rep. Hovey, “and they put forward a budget they knew the governor would veto.”  

“Until there is a sincere effort to work in a bipartisan manner to limit government spending, any further special sessions will be a waste of taxpayers’ money. Every day we have a special session it costs taxpayers thousands of dollars.”  

Rep. Hovey noted that a common sense, No-Tax-Increase Budget is on the table, which she has supported. 

“Our proposed budget has zero tax increases, it is balanced and it goes back to the spending levels of 2007,” said Rep. Hovey. “Look at the services offered in 2007. Those services were adequate, if not more than adequate.”  

“Until there is a real interest in reining in state spending,” she said, “the people of Connecticut can expect significant government spending increases, significant tax hikes and significant loss of jobs.”  

The June 26 budget vote met with an immediate veto from the governor.  Now, bipartisan talks are under way to close huge budget deficits that may go on for years to come.  

Even after the immediate two-year budget is resolved, said Rep. Hovey, deficits of up to $4 billion a year lie ahead. That is because the economic recovery is likely to be slow and one-time revenues such as federal stimulus money will not come again. She said, “It is not good common sense to ase a budget on money you KNOW will not be there in the next cycle.” 

The vetoed budget raised taxes on small business and even would have reached into the grave by imposing a 30 percent surcharge on the inheritance tax, applying to people who died since January 1.  

Other revenue items in the budget included: $335 million to be borrowed, $112 million from potential the sale of state assets (Are we going to sell our state parks? Who knows, because the assets were never identified.) and $125 million in fee increases. 

On Saturday, June 13, State Rep. DebraLee Hovey sponsored a collection for used American flags that are no longer serviceable and need to be properly retired. It was at the Old Stepney Fire House #1 at 88 Main Street in Monroe.

Rep. Hovey said, “Residents who have American flags that have become tattered, soiled, or otherwise unsuitable for display are encouraged to drop their flag off for collection.”  

Flags will be collected that day and the American Legion will do a proper flag burning ceremony at the fire house. 

“Especially around Flag Day, which is June 14, people think about displaying the flag,” said Rep. Hovey.  “For those who have a flag that is no longer usable, the U.S. Flag Code specifies that they must be properly retired.  I hope town residents will take advantage of this opportunity to properly retire old flags.”