State Rep. Bill Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican whose 78th District includes a portion of Bristol, said there is "no famiy in the entire state that has responded to this economic crisis as the state has."
He said that lawmakers had a chance this year to take a serious look at restructuring state government to make it more efficient and less costly.
Instead, he said, "They took a pass."
To close the budget gap, Hamzy said, Democratic legislators agreed to take $1.4 billion from the rainy day fund, use $2 billion in federal stimulus cash, increase taxes by $1.5 billion, borrow $2.3 billion and make $400 million in spending cuts.
"How can you justify that to the average person who's struggling?" Hamzy asked.
Hamzy was among the sponsors of an alternative budget last night that would have cut more and not sought any tax hikes. It was shot down overwhelmingly.
He said the Democrats failed to offer a responsible budget and ignored pleas from municipalities to provide them with mandate relief.
Hamzy said the spending plan will result in more businesses closing their doors in Connecticut.
"There's no question about it," Hamzy said.
Hamzy said the state has to recognize that "we can't spend money we don't have."
He said the budget does nothing to help with the $4.4 billion budget gap that's already opened in 2012 -- and in fact would make it harder to deal with since borrowing costs will rise from $1.2 billion annually to $1.7 billion a year.
"This passes the buck," Hamzy said, instead of trying to address the issue.
"This is unsustainable," Hamzy said. "This is not the right path."
Hamzy said he is glad the technical school is getting funded, but isn't so sure the courthouse should survive.
"I don't know if that's something we can afford," Hamzy said.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
14 comments:
Time to vote out all DEMS this november, including Ward and his union buddies. Let's get someone who won't cater to the unions and who has the leadership skills to get the job done. Ward is not the answer he is moving Bristol Backwards.
Roger,
Are you saying Mary is?
I'm not happy with either party. One only points the finger at the other. No one put together a plan that the media could explain to the public clearly, except the democrats (tax, borrow, and cut little). But what did the republican representation do? WHAT cuts? In a way that the media could generalize and allow the public to accept. (Abandon court houses and shut down schools, reduce spending further to the poor, increase the beer and cigarette tax?) Neither party did a good job with this. Sad it went the way it did, but happy there is something to move forward from.
Roger - Yawn
Ahhhh the useless Republican voice speaks again. When are you gonna realize that you dictators belong in Nazi Germany ?
Roger which rock did you crawl out from under? And your dictatorship attitude is the reason your so-called group is getting smaller and smaller.
Good job fighting for us Bill. We are quickly becoming the little California of the East.
Kissy kissy Bill.
Thank you Bill. I hope the voters will be giving you more company on the side of less spending. It is time.
Thank you Bill Hamzy.
What has Ward done for us? List them please. Anyone, any party is better then what we have now.
We are coming for you Dems, don't be surprised.. I have been talking to a lot of majority D neighborhoods and they are hopping mad at the whole state of this current mess. One lady even told y'all to go (delected) yourselves. Many , many D's I have talked to are willing to give new blood a chance.. We will win and you will soil your pants. In fact I heard that is what's happening now. Too many sick calls out cuz we got you guys running scared.
"I have been talking" ...Ya, we know 12:05...that's all the Republicans do. Oh, and you're right...we probably will "soil our pants," cuz that's what happens when we laugh too hard. LMFAO!!!
to 12:05 We aren't worried about you jerks coming after us . Because you guys have no leadership and I sure don't want any cowards like you. Besides you have to say who you are so we can be nasty like you to you.You haven't got the guts. So c'mon.
Post a Comment