Hartford, CT – Legislative Republicans today unveiled a no-tax increase balanced budget proposal for Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013. By focusing on core government functions, eliminating waste and creating efficiencies, the Republican Alternative Budget significantly reduces the size and cost of government while protecting the social safety net and preserving state aid to municipalities.
“This budget is a response to my constituents who have asked me to address government’s bloated spending and avoid raising taxes unless absolutely necessary,” State Representative Christopher Davis (R- Ellington) said on Tuesday. “For far too long government has borrowed and taxed its way out of debt but hasn’t done anything to fix the spending problem. I believe this proposal addresses that core problem and puts Connecticut on track for long-term recovery.”
(View a PowerPoint presentation of the proposal here)
Highlights of the Republican Alternative Budget include (view line-by-line here):
- No new taxes on any business, individual, employer or services or goods.
- The Republican budget cuts spending from Gov. Malloy’s plan by $1.2 billion.
- The budget preserves municipal aid for all towns and cities.
- Enhanced Medicaid fraud detection units will save an estimated $224 million in wrongful payments.
- Republicans plan to save more than $46 million through agency consolidations.
- State government will be streamlined through attrition and reduction in the 54,000- state payroll.
- No money will be borrowed for day-to-day state operations.
- The $500 property tax credit that Gov. Malloy wanted to abolish is fully restored.
- More than $200 million in the state’s highest cost debt will be pre-paid, thus allowing for greater flexibility in budgeting throughout state agencies.
- It restores the sales tax amnesty week that every Connecticut consumer can use to support household budgets.
Middle class families, employers and businesses will all benefit from the Republican budget which doesn’t raise any taxes. “Taxes just aren’t an option any more, people and businesses can’t afford to pay more,” said Davis. “It’s time to do the responsible thing and cut our bloated spending- I think this budget does that.”
Half of the proposed reductions in state-funded positions, 1,250 would be targeted toward management. The Bipartisan Commission on Enhanced Agency Outcomes recommended that Connecticut cut in half the number of managers to come in line with the private sector.
