If adopted, Republican budget would have devastating effects on Bridgeport

September 20, 2017

Adopting a budget that puts Connecticut residents first and reflects our priorities as a state is the legislature’s primary responsibility. On early Saturday morning, the state Senate and House of Representatives passed a Republican budget that contradicts Connecticut’s fundamental values.

The Republicans’ two-year budget decreases funding to cities like Bridgeport that need help the most, and increases aid to affluent suburban towns. This proposal also cuts core services and programs that our most vulnerable residents rely on.

If adopted, this budget would hinder Bridgeport’s ability to become the economic driver Connecticut needs to attract young professionals and new businesses to our region.

Not only is this budget unbalanced, but it relies on unrealistic savings and contains significant cuts to higher education.

The Republican budget would:

  • Increase Bridgeport residents’ car tax rate from 37 mills to 54 mills
  • Repeal the Municipal Revenue Sharing Account program, which would prevent future regional sales tax from being diverted to offset local property taxes
  • Cut education funding to Bridgeport by more than $7 million
  • Slash city funding
  • Impose a 10 percent state admissions tax for ticket sales to events at Webster Arena and the Ballpark at Harbor Yard
  • Triple the cut to the earned income tax credit, hurting the working poor
  • Decimate the many social service, workforce development and youth services programs our residents rely on
  • Diminish funding to our state and local independent colleges such as Fairfield and Sacred Heart universities and University of Bridgeport
  • Reduce funding to local attractions such as Beardsley Zoo

Now more than ever, it is time for legislators to work together to adopt a bipartisan budget that prioritizes Connecticut residents’ needs, lends a helping hand to small businesses, addresses the achievement gap present in our school systems, and steadies the state’s financial footing.

I am committed to working with my colleagues on either side of the aisle to pass a budget that reflects our core values, and that starts with focusing on our neediest residents and municipalities.