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04/20/2011 12:00 AMRepresentative Dave Yaccarino (R-North Haven) today joined Republican legislative leaders and 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.
"The tough choices must be made and the Republican plan announced today shows we have both a plan and a commitment to the people of Connecticut to do what's right for our state without raising taxes," Rep. Yaccarino said. "This budget is for the people of Connecticut and, as such, does not include hikes in the sales tax, the gas tax, back to school supplies, haircuts or non-prescription drugs."
The budget unveiled today also utilizes a decades old approach to finance and pays down the state's highest interest debt first to save the state millions in interest payment over the life of these loans.
Highlights of the Republican alternative budget include: no new taxes on any business, individual, employer or services or goods; spending cuts taken from Gov. Malloy's plan by $1.2 billion; municipal aid preservation for all towns and cities; enhanced Medicaid fraud detection units estimated to save $224 million in wrongful payments; savings of more than $46 million through agency consolidations; streamlined state government through attrition and reduction in the 54,000-state payroll; no borrowed money for day-to-day state operations; restoration of the $500 property tax credit; prepayment of more than $200 million in the state's highest cost debt, thus allowing for greater flexibility in budgeting throughout state agencies; restoration of the sales tax amnesty week that every Connecticut consumer can use to support household budgets.
"Anyone who has to get up and drive to work would pay more under the Democratic budget," House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero (R-Norwalk) said. "The Democratic sales tax hike will be felt most by middle income families and businesses who pay more than 50 percent of all sales taxes in Connecticut."
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.
"We have two choices; continue down the same spiral with higher taxes, fees and spending or tighten our belts and create a state government that operates efficiently, with less waste and increased productivity. I believe if we work together, and share the sacrifice, brighter days are ahead."