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Serving the Town of Wilton, Connecticut
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After great deliberation and much research the Republican minority in the House and Senate, presented an alternative Budget on Monday April 28th. This new budget proposal anticipates that we may very well face a much more serious budget deficit in the coming year and that something should be done now rather than react to a coming financial crisis. We must all remember that the state is a year behind the private sector in experiencing the full impact of a recessionary cycle. I was in the legislature during the last downturn when 2,800 state employees were laid off.
The proposal is not a slash and burn budget. It in fact includes an increase for our nursing home- 1 percent in July and another 1 percent in January rather than the current 0 percent. It adds funds for preschool programs, new criminal justice reforms, $5 million in additional state aid and energy assistance for low-income families.
The budget gives tax relief to every business by removing the $250 nuisance business entity tax. It also reduces the estate tax and the gas tax. These tax reductions could save Connecticut residents $80 million in the first year.
Other programs in our budget proposal include a fuel cell initiative to make Bradley Airport a green airport, develop fuel cell-powered transit buses, and refueling stations.
How will all of this be accomplished while saving the state a great deal of money? This budget saves the state $163 million by offering a voluntary early retirement program to 11, 000 eligible employee. It is expected that approximately 4, 000 would take the offer saving the state this money. It should be noted that a voluntary retirement could turn into a mandatory reduction in staff if our economy continues to decline. Other savings would come from $78 million savings in the state Medicaid program and another $17 million by implementing the "Money Follows the Person" program which would allow 700 seniors to move from nursing homes to homecare.
I completely agree with House Republican leader Lawrence Cafero of Norwalk when he stated "Now is not the time to sit back and do nothing when we are all aware of the potential deficits that lie ahead. We all owe it to the citizens of our state to do something in response to our current economic realities. "
Since 1993, the legislature has been passing two-year budgets. Those budgets have been rewritten every year however. This 15 year practice could come to an end if no major changes are made this year.
James Finley, Executive Director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities reacted strongly to the "Do Something Budget." The do-nothing budget would be a disaster for towns and cities," Finley said. "We think that would be a big mistake. There's a certain irony that the Republicans are offering a budget that is more beneficial to cities and towns than a do-nothing budget."
Please send our leadership your reaction to this budget proposal or other issues of concern.
If you have thoughts on the estate tax, other issues before the legislature have a local issue of concern or just don't know where to turn, please feel free to send me your thoughts and suggestions. Call me toll free Hartford number is 800-842-1423 or email me at Toni.Boucher@cga.ct.gov or Repboucher@aol.com.
