State Rep. Christopher Davis Opposes Portions of Malloy's Budget

First-term State Representative Christopher Davis has announced that he is opposed to the multitude of middle class tax hikes and $900 million in more government spending included in Gov. Dannel Malloy’s proposed budget.

Reacting to the proposal, Davis applauded Malloy’s efforts in producing a balanced budget that does not borrow to cover operating expenses, a release by Davis said.

Davis, though, took issue with the governor’s spending plan. According to Malloy’s own budget, total current spending would increase from $19.3 billion to $19.7 billion in the first year of his budget and to $20.2 billion in the second. That’s roughly $900 million more in government spending over a two year period.

“Unfortunately, the governor’s interpretation of ‘shared sacrifice,’ as illustrated by his budget, means more taxes for Connecticut’s citizens in order to fund increased government expenditures and new projects,” Davis said in the release.

Malloy’s budget includes $1.5 billion in tax increases in the first year, from income and sales tax increases to a hike in the gas tax and increased levies on products and services used routinely by middle class residents - including clothing, alcoholic beverages and pet grooming services.

The controversial plan would also strip middle class families of the $500 property tax credit that’s so important to their budgets, particularly during these tough financial times, Davis said.

“Given our state’s budget deficit and the uncertainty of the future economic climate, the governor’s proposal to increase government spending while implementing comprehensive tax hikes is out of sync with the stark financial realities faced by Connecticut residents,” he said in the release.