Rep. Klarides Opposes Spending Increases in Budget Proposal

Despite Huge Deficit, Democrats Spend More
No Cuts–Just Shuffling Paper Around

HARTFORD – Democrats today ignored the massive budget hole they created last September and proposed spending an additional $373 million while taxing hospitals $200 million and shifting millions in governmental costs to private companies. Currently, the State of Connecticut is running an estimated $520 million deficit for 2010. That deficit is projected to grow to $725 million for 2011.

The budget proposed by Democrats contained no significant cuts.  The proposal passed in the Appropriations Committee largely on partisan lines.

“I’m amazed the Democrats proposed a budget that actually increases spending at a time like this. The people of Connecticut cannot afford this,” said State Representative Themis Klarides. “It will only add to our debt, drive away jobs and hurt Connecticut’s children who will be the ones strapped with paying off this budget mess.”

Representative Klarides noted a lack of leadership and breakdown between the House and Senate Democrats who are battling openly on the issue.

“Some Democratic leaders want to put a band aid on the red ink flowing out of our state financial crisis, or worse, ignore it completely. I hear members express budget concerns, but talk is cheap. There has never been any honest attempt to reduce the cost and size of government this session, which we must do. This budget proposal only makes things worse,” said Klarides.

Republicans have repeatedly put forth alternatives budget to consolidate state agencies, eliminate waste and reduce costs and the size of the government workforce. Meanwhile, according the state comptroller, Connecticut faces a growing 101,000 in job losses and the taxpayer funded state government budget grows larger.

“We can still solve the state’s financial woes, but we must act now,” Klarides said. “We must start taking responsible steps towards recovery.”

Republicans tried to work with the Democratic super majority to act on a deficit mitigation plan months ago as a way to eliminate the deficit, but it was to no avail. Now there are just two months left in the fiscal year and it appears there will be no state budget savings.

“Super majority Democrats failed to responsibly tackle our state’s problems. Once again the legislature puts off its tough decisions,’’ Klarides said.