| Danbury, CT - Senate Republican
Leader John McKinney (R-28), House Republican Leader
Lawrence F. Cafero Jr. (R-142), Danbury State Senator
Michael McLachlan (R-24), Danbury State Representative
Jan Giegler (R-138), and other legislative leaders today
met with executives and employees at Danbury Square
Box Company to discuss the state budget and highlight
the harmful impact the Democrats’ proposed $1.8
billion tax increase would have on Connecticut small
businesses. The company’s owners, Chris Ann and
Michael Allen, discussed their efforts to keep Danbury
Square Box Company afloat during the current recession.
They said it is the wrong time to impose income tax
hikes and profits surcharges on Connecticut’s
primary job creators.
"Like a lot of people in this economy we are struggling
to stay afloat. Our sales are down 30% this year and
we've already laid-off employees, cut contributions
to 401k's, and scaled back on overtime. Any increase
in taxes will be the tipping point for us,” said
Michael Allen.
Founded in 1906, Danbury Square Box Company is a leading
corrugated carton and dimensional packaging company
whose products and services include: designing and producing
corrugated boxes and displays, shipping containers and
partitions; die-cutting; laminating; custom printing;
and fulfillment. They have served a wide range of business-to-business
clients including Duracell, GE Capitol, IBM, MasterCard,
Pepsi and Pfizer.
“My wife and I would like to continue the tradition
started by my great-grandfather and perhaps hand it
off to our children someday. Connecticut is our home
and we want to stay here, but the tax increases folded
into this most recent budget proposal could force us
to make deeper cuts that hurt not only our employees
but also our community and state," said
Michael Allen.
Republican legislators and small business owners across
the state have been fighting proposed tax hikes for
months, arguing that the best budget for the state of
Connecticut is one that reduces spending, eliminates
government waste and does not raise taxes.
Senator McKinney reiterated those
points on Wednesday. “Connecticut has already
lost more than 60,000 jobs in this recession. Small
businesses and their employees simply cannot afford
the Democrats $1.8 billion tax hike. What we’re
hearing all over the state is that working families
and small businesses expect government to make the same
difficult choices they’re making in their own
lives. That means making responsible spending reductions
and passing a balanced budget that the people of Connecticut
can afford.”
Representative Cafero agreed, saying,
“Companies large and small are operating on razor
thin margins in this recession. Any more costly regulations,
red tape, mandates or new taxes could mean the difference
between profit and loss, more layoffs or ultimately
closing their doors. Our competition for jobs is not
necessarily overseas but down south and in other states.’’
Wednesday’s roundtable also included representatives
from the Danbury Chamber of Commerce, Danbury Metal
Finishing, Enhance-A-Color and Ergo Chef/Capital Design
and Engineering.
Danbury-area legislators noted the impact state budget
negotiations will have on local businesses. "Mike
and Chris Ann carry on a tradition of hard work that
has been a cornerstone of the Danbury business community
for four generations," said Senator McLachlan.
"However, by choosing to tax Connecticut residents
so heavily, the majority Democrats' budget plan will
push people like the Allen’s out of the state
or out of business altogether. This scenario is unfortunately
not unique to the Allen's or to Danbury and is being
played out in towns and cities throughout our state
where businesses, families and individuals are struggling
to make ends meet."
"Companies like Danbury Square Box pay good wages
and benefits to employees, yet the Democrats have placed
a big target on their backs with their tax increasing
budget,” said Representative Giegler.
“They can spin it all they want, but the Democrats
in the Legislature have chosen government spending over
protecting the jobs of Connecticut workers. At a time
when we are seeing record unemployment, it is beyond
irresponsible that they would put peoples' livelihood
at risk for the sake of preserving the status quo in
Hartford. The Republican budget alternative protects
Connecticut jobs while preserving funding for services
to those most in need. All we ask is that government
make the same sacrifices that every family in Connecticut
has made in this recession."
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