Rell Moving in Right Direction, but Concerns Remain

HARTFORD — It’s time for Democrats to “suck it up.” That was the message from House Minority Leader Larry Cafero today in the wake of Gov. M. Jodi Rell issuing yet another budget plan. Rell’s latest proposal would increase taxes on upper-income earners, eliminate the estate tax and, most important, would reduce the state’s sales tax from 6 percent to 5.5 percent while altering her corporate surcharge to eliminate small businesses. Over the last few weeks, House Republicans have traversed the state to talk with employers about the affect of more taxes, as proposed by Democrats. “I commend Governor Rell for her continued efforts to solve Connecticut’s current budget crisis. The Governor has described her proposal as a compromise and I believe it is exactly that,” Cafero said. “There are parts I like and there are also areas of deep concern.” Those areas of concern include the level of taxation in concert with the perilously high levels of borrowing, securitization and fee increases. Cafero, during an afternoon press avail, said he was most supportive of Rell’s call on Democrats to make more spending reductions–something they’ve been unwilling to do so far. “We maintain that this is the absolute worst time to raise taxes and believe that that Connecticut can have a budget solution without tax increases. But we continue to stand ready to work toward a bipartisan budget agreement,” he said. Cafero told reporters that it’s time for super-majority Democrats to fulfill their leadership role and pass a budget.