Governor Rell is showing real leadership today

The Governor has been negotiating with the Democrats for weeks, but it has been become painfully clear they can not – will not – cut state spending
In today’s budget, they propose to cut a mere $130 million out of a $37.8 billion budget – just 0.3 percent

- Governor Rell proposes to cut $1 billion in spending
- That’s $1 billion versus $130 million

When the Governor says “I can’t cut any more” she means she can’t make any more headway with Democrats – because all they are interested in is raising taxes

Democrats are proposing $1.8 billion in new taxes, including a huge increase in the income tax and crippling new taxes on business that will lead to even more unemployment

- Governor Rell is proposing less than $400 million in “sin” taxes and corporate taxes – and the corporate taxes come off the books in three years

As bad as $1.8 billion in new taxes is, it’s a huge improvement over the $3.3 billion in new taxes in the first proposal from the Democrats – or the $2.5 billion in new taxes in the second proposal from the Democrats

- Because Governor Rell has held firm on cutting spending instead of raising taxes, Connecticut taxpayers have already been spared $1.5 billion in new or higher taxes

THAT’S A MAJOR VICTORY FOR CONNECTICUT TAXPAYERS – A TOTAL OF $1.5 BILLION IN NEW OR HIGHER TAXES AVOIDED – AND IT WAS WON BY GOVERNOR RELL.

Governor Rell would prefer no new taxes at all – but our state needs a budget … The Legislature needs to do its job and it needs to pass a budget – compromise is required.

The regular legislative session ended two months ago … The new fiscal year started one month ago … We can’t wait any longer for the Legislature to act – we need a state budget.

But the budget must be responsible – it must reflect Governor Rell’s core principles of maximizing spending cuts and minimizing tax increases.

Because Governor Rell believes this budget battle is about more than a budget for the next two years – it is about our economy, jobs and our prosperity for the next 20 years.

It is about improving our economy … It is about putting people back to work, keeping and growing jobs and bringing more businesses and investment to Connecticut

That has to be our focus – not petty, partisan politics in Hartford

Governor Rell continues to lead – she has invited the legislative leaders to join her in compromise and to join her in negotiations starting Tuesday

It is her hope to have a budget passed and signed into law as soon as possible after that.