Brookfield Rep. Hails Budget Passage

From The House Republicans

HARTFORD - State Representatives Will Duff (R-2) and Stephen Harding (R-107) expressed guarded optimism at the passage of a bipartisan state budget through both chambers of the General Assembly late Friday night.

After three Democratic State Senators broke ranks and voted for a GOP budget amendment, which passed the Senate earlier that afternoon, the House passed, now called a bipartisan document by a vote of 77-73. It now heads to the governor's desk to be signed into law, although it is possible he will use his veto power to block it from becoming law.

“This compromise budget sticks to the pledge I made, and the governor's stated intent not to raise taxes whether it is income, property, sales or even cell phones. We honored the Governor's repeated warnings not to produce a budget that was revenue driven, said Rep. Will Duff. “We even provide tax relief for thousands of state residents by eliminating Social Security income tax and phasing out the tax on pension income for middle class families.”

“We as legislators, had an obligation to our communities to pass a budget, and to pass one which did not raise taxes while also funding our local schools,” Rep. Harding said. “The budget passed on Saturdaymorning does just that. I join many of my colleagues in urging the Governor to do his job by signing this into law and finally ending this budget stalemate."

After the Republican budget passed the State Senate, Governor Malloy declared his intention to veto the budget bill passed by the General Assembly. The Bethel legislators urged the governor to reconsider, citing the "draconian" effects his executive order could have on local education and other state services.

The budget crisis in Connecticut is currently in its third month. Should the governor block passage of this budget bill, it is unlikely the state will adopt a budget prior to the October 1 deadline for education payments and the governor's executive order would take effect