NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Tuesday afternoon, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski clashed with state Democrats over tax cut plans.
Stefanowski and his running mate Laura Devlin said if they’re elected this November, they want to put in place a plan to fight inflation and reduce state taxes, but Democrats say they’re going about it the wrong way.
“The recession that’s coming is largely Joe Biden and Gov. Lamont’s fault,” said Stefanowski.
Stefanowski called incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont part of the problem, saying his and the Democrats’ policies haven’t worked.
In a statment, Lamont Campaign spokesman Jake Lewis wrote, “Bob has spent years detailing his economic plans that would slash money from our schools, hospitals, and resources for our seniors. His priorities are so extreme he once said he wanted to 'rip the guts' out of the state budget. Governor Lamont returned our state to fiscal sanity and balanced budgets through responsible management; all while delivering the largest tax cut in state history and paying down debt, saving future generations hundreds of millions of dollars.”
“I’m really proud of this initiative because what we hear across the state is the crushing taxation and cost of living that people are feeling,” Devlin said.
The initiative is what Stefanowski calls a comprehensive audit of every state government department and agency to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.
He and Devlin want to introduce a series of targeted food, gas and sales tax cuts using $3 billion of Connecticut’s current budget surplus.
Stefanowksi argues that surplus should be given back to residents, but Democrats say it's there for a reason.
“We also want to ensure that we're continuing to have that rainy day fund be absolutely maxed out because when it's maxed out like it is now, any additional money that comes in, goes down to paying our long term debts, which means that in 5, 10, 15 years, we're gonna be in incredible shape,” said State Rep. Josh Elliott (D-Hamden).
Stefanowski is also taking aim at property taxes, proposing a homeowner deduction up to $10,000 for those earning under $200,000 individually and $400,000 jointly.
Democrats say these aren’t all bad ideas, but they disagree with Stefanowski’s method.
“Where he's coming from his absolutely right, but the way that he would try to combat it is absolutely wrong,” Elliott said.
If elected, Stefanowski could face heavy opposition to these plans from the Democrat-controlled legislature, but he says he isn't concerned, citing his running mate’s experience in the state House and saying he’ll be strict.
Stefanowski added his campaign will be releasing more tax plans in the coming weeks.
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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