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WESTON, Conn. Under fire for a "deficit of ... leadership," Republican State Sens. John McKinney and Toni Boucher and State Rep. John Shaban laid out a plan of action Wednesday night at a 2012 Legislative Update at Weston Town Hall.
Were calling on the governor to address the deficit, McKinney said. Large deficits are expected the next two years $320 million next year, which means well have to cut spending or raise taxes.
Now that we have been taxed to the extreme, we should have a taxpayers united effort, Boucher said. She suggested bus trips to Hartford to protest the deficit. Taxpayers feel strongly, and were fighting for the preservation of Connecticut.
McKinney urged taxpayers to write letters to the editor, which he said are effective.
He also said Republicans will do better in the November election. We have more and better candidates running and we can pick up a number of seats. Two Democratic senators are retiring and I believe we can win those two.
Shaban suggested a statewide budget referendum, which he said would give voters the opportunity to challenge tax increases.
Boucher opened the event noting that the state has a $227 million budget deficit, close to 8 percent unemployment and and an outflow of jobs. The dark clouds hovering above the state economy are still there, she said, adding that Republican attempts at alternative budget reform were rejected by the Democrats before the budget was enacted. The new budget borrows $222 million to cover up the deficit.
McKinney said Republicans will introduce alternative budgets at the next legislative session. Its the only thing we can do besides scream as loud as we can.
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