CT Budget

Letter to editor published in Republican American 4/22/2009
The Legislature has a new way of governing. Rep. Lawlor and Sen. McDonald attempted to push an anti-Catholic bill through the Judiciary Committee and when the public objected they claimed they had no idea it would be a problem. They are still at it though trying to pass another bill that would affect what is taught about gay rights in the schools. Now the Democrat controlled Legislature proposes a budget that is rife with tax increases, $3.3 billion. This includes broadening and increasing the income tax, and elimination of property tax credits. No elimination of social agencies we just can’t afford. No job cuts. When the public reacts, they claim it is just a trial balloon. They’re answer to small businesses concerned about the 30% surcharge on business profits is, “If they don’t make a profit, they don’t have to pay the tax.” The Democrats budget does not ask state employee unions to take any cuts. Next to tax increases, Democrats love unions since they are the Democrats biggest supporters. But citizens and businesses can always come up with more money. The governor seems to have been able to come up with a budget with no tax increases and job losses through attrition and retirement incentives. Concerning the Republican budget, Derek Slap, a spokesman for the Senate Democrats said, "We're not saying the whole thing is garbage." What do the Democrats not understand about how bad it is to raise taxes during a recession? Evidently not much.