“The bottom line is there is a deficit and there will always be a deficit if we keep shrinking the tax base and the balance of power in Hartford is not changed. Although too many have given up and left, public reaction this time shows there are people who will stand up and fight and change may be just around the corner, ” said Boucher.
Report by Paula Antolini
June 30, 2015 5:38PM EDT
2nd Largest Tax Increase in State History is Headed Your Way
Boucher: “It hammers the hardworking people of Connecticut.”
Hartford, CT – State Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) released the following statement today re: modifications to the $40.3 billion state budget for the next two fiscal years.
“This is a bad time for Greece and Puerto Rico, a run on banks and creditors breathing down their throats. It is also a bad time for Connecticut.
“The only thing special about this “special session” is that we were called back to Hartford after the budget turmoil failed to produce a final resolution to Connecticut’s budget problems. However, the special session just concluding produced no real changes to the budget. The majority party simply rearranged the deck chairs. The hard working families in Connecticut will still be taxed nearly $2 billion over the next two years. Even after, the loudest public outcry and marquee businesses such as General Electric, IBM, Travelers, Aetna, Black and Decker, Boehringer Ingelheim and Bristol Meyers Squibb in an unusual move publically protested policies that directly targeted them.
“This is the second largest tax increase in state history. It hammers the working poor. I voted no on the first budget and I voted no on this “second budget.” Another tax increase or just delaying increases on businesses is not the answer. Other states have balanced their budgets by spending less, controlling costs and promoting business friendly policies.
“Higher tax brackets and increasing taxes on those tax brackets not only hits the wealthy but on small businesses that file their business tax as personal income. This is a job crusher and further incentives our small businesses to close shop or move.
“In addition this budget also enacts policies that encroaches on local government and how they can best manage their budgets and policies.
“The bottom line is there is a deficit and there will always be a deficit if we keep shrinking the tax base and the balance of power in Hartford is not changed. Although too many have given up and left, public reaction this time shows there are people who will stand up and fight and change may be just around the corner. ”
*****
State Senator Toni Boucher
Legislative Office Building
Room 3400
Hartford, CT 06106
1-800-842-1421
The 26th District is comprised of:
Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, Wilton
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