Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Opinion by Rep. Rob Sampson: The New Economic Reality

 
The "New Economic Reality" is Getting Old Fast
 
As I write this, I’m still digesting the debate over revisions to the FY17 Connecticut state budget that were voted on during the May 13th special legislative session.   This was an unusual situation as we typically vote on our state budget in the first year of every two-year legislative term.  The reason for a budget debate this second year of the biennium has been the gargantuan and growing projected deficit.

Click above for Rep. Sampson's comments on the House Floor the day of the budget vote. 
 
I’ll start my comments there.   Why do we have such a huge deficit - $960 million was the last number I can recall – nearly a billion dollars?   It’s simply a function of spending beyond our means.  Governor Malloy has increased the state budget dramatically since he became governor in 2011 and despite giving us two of the largest tax increases Connecticut has ever had, we are still short on money to pay the bills.  The reason is because the analysis they rely on from non-partisan offices to predict the revenue side of the budget simply cannot keep up with the damage to the state’s tax base that has been done by the economic policies of the governor and his friends who serve in the majority in the legislature.  Businesses are leaving, taking their money and jobs with them.  Fewer and fewer of us left pulling the cart means budget shortfalls and the situation we have now.
 
Over the last several months, the governor, the Democrats, and my Republican colleagues have all met repeatedly, offered our own plans and tried to find some kind of common ground and a solution to Connecticut’s perennial budget problems.   We can and do work together to solve so many issues but the state budget is a matter where fundamental philosophical priorities diverge.
 
 


Sincerely,
 
Rob Sampson
State Representative - 80th District

 
 
 
State Rep. Rob Sampson
800-842-1423 (Toll Free)
860-240-8700 (Local)
860-240-0207 (Fax)
 
   
 
Legislative Office Building
300 Capitol Ave.
Room 4200
Hartford, CT 06106

No comments:

Post a Comment

Authors of comments and posts are solely responsible for their statements. Please email MiddletownInsider@gmail.com for questions or concerns. This blog, (and any site using the blogger platform), does not and cannot track the source of comments. While opinions and criticism are fine, they are subject to moderator discretion; slander and vile attacks of individuals will not to be tolerated. Middletown Insider retains the right to deny any post or comment without explanation.

Popular Posts