Calls Needed for a Fair Budget in CT

by Art Perlo, Better Choices

Please call your State Representative and State Senator!

The budget for the State of Connecticut is now under consideration. Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s proposal includes cuts to housing, nutrition, youth programs and more as a way to close the budget deficit. This is wrong and unnecessary.

The Better Choices Coalition, made up of unions, service providers and faith organizations, is calling on the legislature to raise revenues from the top incomes, and cancel the cuts. If the top 5% paid taxes at the same rate as the bottom 95% there would be no budget deficit.

Even though Gov. Malloy has said he would not increase taxes, the state legislature also has input into the budget and can make proposals.  A more fair tax system helps middle and low income families and their communities.

The Finance Committee of the State Legislature is in deliberations now. Please urge your legislators to amend the Governor’s proposal:

• Make taxes more fair by increasing the tax rate on the portion of incomes above $500,000.
• Cancel the cuts on human needs, services and cities.
• Support the Women’s Economic Agenda including paid family and medical leave, ending wage theft, and requiring big corporations to make a contribution to the state budget for each worker paid poverty wages.

Just a few calls will get the attention of your State Rep and State Senator and let them know that their constituents want fair taxes, not cuts.