Sen. Hwang: Malloy Budget Proposal Would Hurt Property Taxpayers; Looks Forward to Fixing Governor’s Proposal
Sen. Tony Hwang issued the following statement regarding Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget address:
“On Feb. 7, I was proud to join with Connecticut Senate and House Republicans’ in proposing a plan to reinstate nearly $20 million in education funding that was cut midyear to cities and towns throughout the state. Our plan keeps our promise to towns, to schools and to Connecticut property taxpayers.
“On Feb. 8, the governor told the state he wants to ‘give taxpayers, communities, and businesses more predictability and more sustainability.’
“Unfortunately, the governor’s budget proposal does not back up that claim.
“It is balanced on the backs of towns and every local property taxpayer in Connecticut.
“Make no mistake: Property taxes will rise significantly across Connecticut if the Gov. Malloy budget becomes law.
“Gov. Malloy also balances the budget on the backs of our children and grandchildren. Future generations of Connecticut resident would be saddled with today’s debt, and that’s not sound policy.
“The good news is that the governor’s speech is just the first step in the process. Our new balance of power in the state senate will allow Democrats and Republicans to now sit down and deal with this budget deficit in a thoughtful, responsible way. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues on both sides of the political aisle to put Connecticut back on a path toward true long-term sustainability and predictability.
“That effort will emphasize our commitment to make our towns’ education mission whole. It will emphasize the need to protect vital services for our most vulnerable residents. It will involve measures to create the business ecosystem needed to retain and grow good Connecticut jobs.
“I urge taxpayers in Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport to contact me with any questions they may have about the governor’s proposal. I look forward to joining with my fellow lawmakers in crafting a budget which is fair to towns, schools and taxpayers.”
The governor’s budget documents can be viewed at: http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2958&Q=590066&PM=1
**Sen. Hwang (www.SenatorHwang.com) can be reached at 800 842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov .
(Watch) “You Have My Commitment.”
I will not stop fighting for our schools, our towns, and local property taxpayers.
Check out my latest State Capitol Video Update here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNGzTJpHzOs .
View our plan to restore the governor’s cuts to education funding at www.ctsenaterepublicans.com .
Send me your thoughts at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov .
Thank you!
Sen. Hwang: GOP plan is about “keeping our promise to towns, to schools and to property taxpayers.”
Sen. Tony Hwang on Feb. 7 applauded the Connecticut Senate and House Republicans’ plan to reinstate nearly $20 million in education funding that was cut midyear to cities and towns throughout the state.
“This is about keeping our promise to towns, to schools and to Connecticut property taxpayers,” Sen. Hwang said.
The Republican proposal would allow the state to restore Education Cost Sharing funding that was cut by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration in December and also close the current budget deficit of $11.9 million as estimated by the Office of Fiscal Analysis. Small cuts spread across several state agencies would pay for the proposal. The plan would also draw funds from a reserve account used to fund state employee raises.
“Local leaders need to be able to plan for the future,” Sen. Hwang said. “The December cuts blindsided towns during the middle of the fiscal year. That was unfair. Our plan restores predictability for towns and emphasizes our commitment to make their education mission whole. We are committed to this fight in the future state budget as well.”
The plan can be viewed at www.ctsenaterepublicans.com .
Sen. Hwang can be reached at 800 842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov
Sen. Hwang (www.SenatorHwang.com) represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.
