Deficit Package Fails Taxpayers

HARTFORD- On Wednesday, January 14, State Rep. David Scribner (R-Brookfield, Bethel) voted to reduce the state’s mounting deficit by $185 million, $54 million more than Democrat party leaders who added an additional $274,000 in hidden spending that will only worsen the state’s fiscal crisis. The package approved reduces the projected $800 million deficit by $133 million.

Rep. Scribner also supported legislation to cut his own legislative pay by 5 percent, delay an $87 million union contract until a budget is in place, and provide substantial budget relief to towns and cities struggling to put their own budgets in place. However, these proposals were defeated largely along party lines.

Rep. Scribner noted the $274,000 provision for increasing spending is proof that Democrat legislators have yet to become serious about eliminating the state’s projected $6 billion over the next two years.

“The legislature had a chance to actually reduce the size of government but instead passed a sham bill,’’ said Rep. Scribner. “The package that was approved only plays a shell game with state funds and amazingly, hikes spending at the same time.’’

During the day’s legislative session, lawmakers approved measures to temporarily comply with state laws to balance the budget but warned that the deficit could spike again as early as this week because of falling revenues. Proposals Rep. Scribner joined with fellow Republicans legislators in cosponsoring include:

· Cutting their own pay by 5 percent;

· Delaying an $87 million salary increase package for corrections officers until a budget is in place;

· Restoring $54 million in cuts Democrats eliminated from Gov. Rell’s deficit reduction proposal

· Delaying or eliminate local mandates such as costly in-school suspension and treating juvenile offenders as adults, which police departments support.

"In the private sector, people are seeing pay cuts or losing their jobs” said Rep. Scribner. “Rather than take the steps it clearly must to cut state spending and address the difficult economic times, the Legislature just pushed off tough choices. There continues to be an incredible level of avoidance and denial by the Democratic leadership as the situation worsens each day.”