Governor Rell Caves in to Tax Hikes

On Thursday in front of reporters at the State Capitol, Connecticut’s Republican Gov., M. Jodi Rell, declared that she could no longer keep her promise of no new tax increases. In the updated budget that was released last Thursday, Gov. Rell proposed tax increases to offset the state’s projected, two-year shortfall of $8.55 billion. Connecticut is one of only three states without an official budget as of July 1, the start of the fiscal year. As a result the state has been operating via an executive order by the governor on a month to month basis.

 

According to the governor, “I think I’ve exhausted as much in cuts right now as I can in my proposed budget, and no one wants taxes, but if that is going to be part of it, I said from the beginning after we’ve exhausted all of the cuts that we can live with.” This amid continued signs that any bipartisan compromise with regards to the state’s budget seems to have stalled.

 

All of Rell’s budget plans so far have not included any tax increases. But she made clear on Thursday that taxes “will be part of it.”

 

FreedomWorks contends that Gov. Rell is taking the easy way out. In the process she is placing the state government’s failed fiscal policies on the backs of the hardworking taxpayers of the Constitution State. Holding firm on taxes since assuming office in 2004, Gov. Rell’s record has hardly any blemishes—until now. The governor, sadly, has fell victim to political pressure at a time when her state needed her to remain steadfast vis-à-vis her ideology.

 

FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe commented: “It’s almost like playing whack-a-mole when dealing with politicians. When they think you’re not looking, they try and squeeze one by you. Governor Rell knows better, especially at a time when families are pinching pennies.”