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Westport Rep. Lavielle: Tax Increases Coming Despite Budget Fix

WESTPORT, Conn. – State Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-Wilton/Norwalk/Westport) released a strongly worded statement after the special legislative session on Monday, where the state budget was confirmed with no significant changes.

State Representative Gail Lavielle (R-Wilton/Norwalk/Westport) released a statement on Monday decrying the recently-passed state budget.

State Representative Gail Lavielle (R-Wilton/Norwalk/Westport) released a statement on Monday decrying the recently-passed state budget.

Photo Credit: CT House GOP

The session was required because the state legislature adjourned on June 3 before resolving certain issues. The key bill raised Monday was an "implementer" bill that included the provisions needed to implement the budget, along with changes inspired by concerns raised by local businesses, Lavielle said.

“It’s inconceivable that despite the massive public outcry, majority lawmakers still produced a budget that raises taxes and chases businesses out of the state. Connecticut was already teetering on a fiscal cliff, but this biennial budget, which is already set to create a $1.6 billion deficit in the subsequent biennium, will make the situation even worse,” Lavielle said in her statement.

Local businesses that voiced their concerns over the original budget included GE, Aetna, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Stanley Black and Decker.

“The budget directly hits the middle class, it will cause irreparable damage to our employers and our economy, and it will accelerate the continuing exodus of jobs and people from our state,” continued Lavielle.

Part of the adjustment made to the budget included rolling back at most 10 percent of the projected $1.8 billion tax hike, she said.

The implementer bill passed by a 78-65 vote along party lines, with no Republican legislator voting in favor.

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