Chairman's Corner

So What did the Democrats Tax?

Submitted by Mary Ann Turner on Tue, 06/28/2011 - 9:02am

 

The Democrat Budget Passed by the State House and Senate:

  • Raises $3.4 Billion IN NEW tax revenue over the next two years
  • Raises the Income Tax from 5% to 5.5% for the average Connecticut family
  • Reduce the $500 Property Tax Credit to only $300
  • Raises taxes on job creators
  • Increases corporate surcharge tax from 10% to 20%
  • Lower the tax credit cap for Insurance Companies from 70% to 30%
  • Raising the sales tax from 6% to 6.35%

Raise taxes for everyday expenses:

  • Pet Grooming ^6.35%
  • Manicure and pedicure services ^6.35%
  • Road and Towing Services ^6.35%
  • Clothing and Footwear under $50 ^6.35%
  • Non-Prescription Drugs ^6.35%
  • Cloth and Fabric for non-commercial sewing ^6.35%
  • Hazardous waste removal ^6.35%
  • Rental Car Surtax – 2%
  • Increase Hotel Tax 14%
  • Increase Cigarette tax to $3.40
  • Increase Alcohol tax by 20%
  • Increase tax on goods sold over the Internet

 

  • Increases Spending by $900 Million
  • Relies on $2 Billion in concessions from public state employee unions

(why? These people bargained in good faith)

The Republican Budget Alternative: 

  • No new taxes on any business, individual, employer, service or good
  • Full restored the $500 property tax credit cut by Gov. Malloy
  • Saves the average Connecticut family over $2,000 annually
  • More than $1.5 billion in spending cuts from Gov. Malloy’s plan
  • More than $46 million in savings through agency consolidations
  • Streamlining government through attrition and reductions of the state workforce
  • No borrowing for state operating expenses
  • Restoration of the sales tax free week 
  • Elimination of longevity payments for state employees

Representative David Kiner, Democrat, voted for this budget. State Senator John Kissel, Republican and State Representative Kathy Tallarita, Democrat VOTED AGAINST this outrageous spending budget.

I support the efforts by Republicans in the legislature to rein in spending without raising taxes. We need them to show leadership – the Democrats obviously lack.

What did the Malloy “Dream Team” came up with for the State Budget? They call it SURPLUS – we call it OVERTAXATION – Thanks Rep. David Kiner

Submitted by Mary Ann Turner on Tue, 06/28/2011 - 9:04am

 

The really insulting thing about this whole State budget, is that it has been reported that the budget has a $1 Billion dollar cushion built in to it – in political terms – that is called a “SURPLUS”…but us taxpayers call it OVERTAXATION.

That $1 Billion dollar cushion is our money, the government has NO RIGHT to take any more money than is needed to have the government function. Taxing, for the sake of a “cushion” is criminal.

Our State Rep. David Kiner, didn’t learn any lessons when he served on the Enfield Town Council where for the 4th consecutive year Enfield has had NO Tax increase.

Representative Kiner voted against every opportunity put in front of him to cut spending on the State budget – but he voted No.

So just to keep things in perspective:

Mr. Kiner voted to increase the state income tax – YES

Mr. Kiner voted to increase the state sales tax 6.0 to 6.35 – YES

Mr. Kiner voted to cut the property tax credit from $500 to $300 – YES

Mr. Kiner voted to increase tax on diesel fuel, known as gasoline – YES

Mr. Kiner was known for voting NO against Town budgets with zero property tax increases while he served on the Enfield Town Council, so why not vote NO on the state budget, as did Democrat State Representative Kathy Tallarita.

Ms. Tallarita recognized when a tax increase is a tax increase, and voted for Enfield taxpayers, not against them – but she also voted AGAINST every amendment that would have lowered the State Budget…so she doesn’t get a full pass either.

Beware the Tornado

Submitted by Mary Ann Turner on Tue, 06/28/2011 - 9:10am

 

Two weeks ago a tornado whipped through Massachusetts and my sister, Jean, was one of the people who got “touched” by its force. It ripped off her roof, demolished her car and trashed all her “things”, but she and her puppies survived.

She was sitting in her office working and the weather was getting nasty but she was in her house – safe! So she thought.

We wake up each day and head to work (hopefully) and believe we are safe. We never consider that the wrath of a tornado will spoil our day or make us panic while we try to count the “noses” of those we love and make sure all are well. But take note – you aren’t safe – you need to panic – you need to start counting those noses!

The State of Connecticut with the help of our two state representatives have gone out of their way to put us right in the way of a tornado and our cement shoes just won’t let us run. We stare blankly at those swirling winds of taxes, and job losses, and bills – hitting us directly – but wait … it isn’t July 1 or August 1 yet.

That is when that F4 tornado called Governor Malloy’s Budget will hit us square in the face. A full year’s worth of income taxes have to be paid by each of us in the FIVE months remaining in 2011. Your property taxes are being printed as we speak and thank goodness that in Enfield – under the Republican Majority Council – your taxes have not increased for the 4th budget year in a row – I guess you will have a few extra dollars to send to Hartford.

State Rep. Kiner and Tallarita have worked very hard to make sure you and I will be sweating come August 1 and not because it is 90°. Each of these representatives had a chance to vote against tax increases – THEY DIDN’T. Rep. Tallarita can try to hide behind her NO vote on the overall budget – but she voted against every single opportunity to cut your taxes in the amendments. Rep. Kiner – we don’t expect much from him – he is just following orders. (Oh – not your orders) – his leader, Mr. Donovan.

So when you hear Tallarita and Kiner telling you the tax increases are necessary to balance the State budget remember the Democrats have been propping up the budget with gimmicks that pushed the state’s financial obligations into the future – the future is here!

Keep in mind – normally you don’t see a tornado coming but July 1 and August 1 – is your tornado. Get prepared. Run to the basement. Make sure you have fresh batteries. You can thank State Reps. Tallarita and Kiner for putting the tornado’s bulls-eye right on you and your family.