April 13, 2010

Hamzy warns that massive deficit looms

Press release from state Rep. Bill Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican whose 78th District includes northwestern Bristol:

Representative William A. Hamzy:
Warns State Must Address Growing $750 Million Deficit
Supports 3 Month Deficit Patch to Carry State Budget through the Spring

HARTFORDState Representative William A. Hamzy of Bristol and Plymouth, voted today to close the state’s budget deficit without raising taxes or cutting aide to towns and cities, but he warned that a $750 million fiscal deficit awaits July 1 and must be fixed before the Democratic-controlled legislature adjourns in May. 
The deficit mitigation plan put forth today eliminates only the current $350 budget gap. The plan does not tackle the looming deficit that kicks in July 1st, only 10 weeks from now, but Republicans pledged to address that within the coming days. For the past two years, Rep. Hamzy and his Republican colleagues in the House championed closing the deficit without raising taxes or cutting aide to towns and cities. 
“This is a first step. As I and many of my Republican colleagues have said before, we can plug the deficit without raising taxes or cutting aid to local municipalities. The $750 million budget hole that begins July 1, 2010 will only grow with legislative inaction. We need to begin starting tomorrow to make the tough cuts and to find government efficiencies,” said Rep. Hamzy.
The current state budget, with the $350 million deficit, was adopted last September without any Republican votes. For the last 8 months, state operated with a growing deficit due largely to the inaction of the legislature.
With record unemployment and with both families and employers alike pinching pennies, Rep. Hamzy expressed now is not the time to raise taxes or utility prices for families or those providing their jobs. “The Democrats raised taxes last September by $1.2 billion and we are still facing a $700 million gap. Raising taxes when we have record high unemployment at over 9 percent is not the answer,’’ he said.
Republicans said they are prepared to vote to eliminate the projected deficit for the 2011-12 budget year beginning July 1. The budget hole, he said, can be filled with targeted spending reductions, government efficiencies and no tax hikes. Republicans in the House refused to consider any tax increases on income, sales, large family homes, electrical bills, hotel rooms, or hospitals to cover the deficit. Rep. Hamzy specifically opposed any version of proposed tax hikes on sick people who become hospitalized, insisting that could not be part of any deficit mitigation plan.
“As we saw this past year, the deficit will only grow with legislative inaction. If the Democrat-controlled legislature chooses to continue doing nothing, the $750 million deficit we face July 1 will balloon into a nightmare. It is our responsibility. We can tackle the deficit without raising taxes or cutting municipal aid but we must act now!” said Rep. Hamzy.

*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gee lets see if the golden boy that likes his name in the paper is going to vote for the budget! We all knnow we have a problem what's he going to do ?

Anonymous said...

Once again Hamzy does nothing but "blame" the democrats even though some of his republican friends try to fix the problems instead of trying to blame every one else as usual!

Anonymous said...

The Republicans need to control the Capital and soon! I know thee will be tons of layoffs if they do -which will suck, but the size of our government is the reason this state is in the mess its in.

A ? Proud Democrat said...

I'm A Democrat and I Have To Say That At Least Hamzy Is Trying To Do Something...COLAPIETRO IS DOING NOTHING!!!

Anonymous said...

I love me Hamzy does it again !

Anonymous said...

It shows how irresponsable you are 8:59 AM .If people like you controlled the capitol we would really be in trouble and never even know who's screwing us!

Anonymous said...

4:21 Like what ?

Anonymous said...

In answer to 4:21 PM. I'm a Republican and I'm very interested in what Hamzy is trying to do! IHe brags about having a specialty in Bankrupcy. That means that he makes pretty good money off of people who can't afford to pay their bills any longer. And he thinks more people should give more? I'm ashamed to say I'm a Republican.

Anonymous said...

Connecticut is in crisis and Bill Hamzy is trying to wake us up.COLAPIETRO is the smart one by doing nothing he will win reelection with out doing his job and faceing the problem

Anonymous said...

Who pays for Hamzy Health care ? How much do the tax payers pay???

Anonymous said...

Blah,Blah, Blah 7:25 More lies from the peanut gallery ! And what did you say he and you have done? "Ziltch" except repeat the old republican "hack" rhetoric Blah, Blah, Blah.

Anonymous said...

7:25 Aren't you awake yet? We are and have been in a crisis since Wall street put us there. Hamzy is just finding that out ? LMAOROTF

Anonymous said...

Hamzy is the best and only good thing in the Republican party. He got my vote. He can do no wrong

Anonymous said...

Hamzy lover8:21 You may be right that he is the only "best and good thing" in the republican party. That's true love !

Anonymous said...

I have to disagree with 8:21. I think there a lot of good republicans but they aren't on here! 8:21 thinks Hamzy is the only good thing left in the R party! Makes you wonder if Hamzy wrote this!

Anonymous said...

Now he's even got the nerve to blame the Republicans. What has hedone but "Blame" every one else? Even his own.

Anonymous said...

Hamzy is not a part-time politician. He is always busy working on issues...maybe we don't agree with some of the issues but he keeps moving forward and working at it...other republicans just get busy at election time...after that their brain goes dead, no new good ideas, no old good ideas, NOTHING!

Anonymous said...

6:25 AM

Nope! he is not like you... I wrote it not, Hamzy

Anonymous said...

4:17 I partly disagree with you but I sincerely would like someone to tell me what Hamzy has accomplished since he got elected.
Just one thing would help!

Anonymous said...

8:21 you don't think too much of your party do you? I don't blame you !

Anonymous said...

Anyone, either party, interested in state government should read the ineterview in Saturdays (4-17) Wall Street Journal with NJ Governor Chris Christie.

Some very meaningful thoughts and ideas.
All not necessarily workable, or acceptable to all, but it will get you thinking as to what might be done.
Conn. leaders might learn something.

Anonymous said...

6:25 P.M.

Compare to whom? He is bussy traying, sometimes he, along with others, get some laws passed, sometimes he is not successful but he is always working. Unlike other politicians that we hear about only during election time, blaming everyone under the sun for whatever...

Anonymous said...

6:33 P.M.

You got it right! I am tired of the elected officials in my party that create an diversion every time they are in hot water. Frankly, they can't fool anyone...why they keep on doing it?...who knows...but it is an embarrassment...but I like to give credit when credit is due...specially to a politician that is doing something that will help me as a citizen of this community...

Anonymous said...

6:06 Why do you all continue to ignore answering the question? LIKE WHAT ? He thinks ? LOL

Anonymous said...

6:06 at least we know who they are unlike you? You've done what ?

Anonymous said...

We have no need to read the Wall Street Journal. That's for people with money! I read the Bristol Press

Anonymous said...

6:22

Thats why you don't have any money!

Anonymous said...

7:16 Are you rich ?

Anonymous said...

Hey 7:16 what's your rich friends do read this blog cause it's free? LOL