Click the video below to watch Rep. Gail Lavielle’s statement to the Appropriations Committee today:
In today’s Appropriations Committee meeting, Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-143) spoke strongly in support of the Republican budget proposal that offers no new taxes and more than $1 billion in spending cuts, contrasting it with the Democrats’ budget package that increases spending by almost $1 billion and raises taxes by more than $3 billion to pay for it.
Rep. Lavielle voted against the Democratic proposal, Governor’s Bill 6380, and for the Republican proposal, which was presented in a strike-all amendment to the bill.
“Our constituents across the state have told us that they have sacrificed enough,” said Rep. Lavielle. “We have been very attentive to their concerns in our budget proposal. Many of them have lost jobs, income, and assets, while others have literally lost their businesses. Connecticut’s unemployment is above 9%, and our families are paying the highest tax burden in the country. It is disrespectful to them not to give our proposals serious consideration in the budget process.”
Only hours after the Republican caucuses proposed an alternative budget without any tax increases, the Democrats held a press conference to announce that the two Democratic caucuses and the governor had agreed on a compromise and were ready to call for a vote on their budget. Their proposal includes $2 Billion in union concessions when there have not been any agreements made.
“Connecticut is at a crossroads,” said Rep. Lavielle. “It is time for this General Assembly to end the state’s fiscal crisis and be accountable to all of the people it represents.”
