State Senate Republican Leader Louis C. DeLuca (R-Woodbury) and Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore John McKinney (R-Fairfield) today blasted the Democrat members of the General Assembly's Legislative Management Committee who voted down a proposal to study the impact of unfunded state mandates on municipalities. The bill, which was originally proposed as part of Governor Rell's budget recommendations, unanimously passed the Planning and Development Committee in March, but was defeated today by a vote of 10-11.
"This is a perfect example of the Democrats refusal to examine the impact of the laws they pass and face the facts about the effects these decisions have on real people," said Senator DeLuca. "I guess the Democrats don't want to have a report that proves they pass too many unfair mandates, but to deny us a chance to even study the issue is a true expression of majority party arrogance. The town officials who are most impacted by these mandates would do well to ask these Democrat legislators why they no longer feel they are accountable to the citizens of Connecticut."
"Every mayor and first selectman in the state has asked the legislature to address the growing problem of unfunded mandates, but it appears that the Democrats are afraid to even study the issue because they know the results will expose the unfairness of a system they are not willing to reform," said Senator McKinney. "It is easy for the Democrats to claim that all of Connecticut's problems can be solved by increasing taxes, but instead of placing more of a burden on Connecticut's already overburdened taxpayer, they should show some responsibility and take a hard look at the legislative actions that have led to the persistent under-funding of our towns. Make no mistake, unfunded mandates are directly tied to rising property tax rates, and the today the Democrats have proved that they not ready to face this issue in an honest, non-partisan fashion." |
