State of Connecticut secondary Archives: on Tax Reform


August Wolf: Tax reform to allow private industry to create jobs

Decades of value-destroying policies have crushed Connecticut. By any reasonable measure--job growth, debt levels, taxes, and regulatory burden--we now rank near the bottom. And now we have a career politician pushing these same tax and spend policies in D.C.

I want to do something about that. Economic liberty, limited government, and personal choice to live the lives we want-- these are the forgotten foundations of our great country. As Connecticut's next United States Senator, I will work non-stop to reassert these values on your behalf. I will work for fiscal discipline and effective foreign policy, and lead the fight for equitable and sustainable programs that allow private industry to create jobs. I will work for rational and effective regulatory and tax reform, and improvement of our educational, retirement, healthcare and social systems.

Source: 2016 Connecticut Senate campaign website wolf2016.com Sep 22, 2015

Bob Stefanowski: Eliminate the state income tax over the next 8 years

Democrat Ned Lamont said that Trump's tax plan forces the federal budget into a $800-billion increase in the federal deficit. "It's the middle-class, the working class that gets hammered by a tax bill like this," Lamont said. "You think about this Trump tax bill. It reminds me a little of the (proposed) Stefanowski elimination of the state income tax. We cannot borrow in this state. We must pay our bills."

Stefanowski disagreed with Lamont's premise. "Ned concentrating on state and local deductions ignores the root of the problem, which is that he and Dan Malloy have supported tax increase after tax increase," said a Stefanowski spokesman. "Stefanowski wants to completely eliminate the state income tax over the next 8 years, which would actually solve the problem rather than mask it, as Ned Lamont seeks to do."

Source: CT Post on 2018 Connecticut gubernatorial race Aug 29, 2018

Bob Stefanowski: Immediately cut the sales tax, eliminate new restaurant tax

Did you know that of the 340 taxes the state collects, the bottom 200 only generate 0.22% of the state budget, some even cost more to collect than they generate in revenue? I'm going to eliminate these taxes on day one, directing my Tax Commissioner to stop collecting them.

I'm calling on the legislature and the Governor to immediately cut the sales tax, the gross receipts tax on gas and eliminate Ned Lamont's new tax on restaurants and prepared foods to address soaring inflation.

Source: 2022 Connecticut BobForGovernor.com campaign website Apr 21, 2022

Catherine Templeton: Fiscal conservative for low taxes

Catherine Templeton is a fiscal conservative. She believes in less taxes, less government, and more freedom for South Carolina taxpayers. In order to make South Carolina the best place to live, work and raise a family--we need to keep taxes low. When taxes are low--businesses and families thrive! As governor, Catherine Templeton will fight tooth and nail for smart, conservative tax policies that will allow South Carolina to be the #1 job creator in the South.
Source: 2018 Connecticut Governor website CatherineTempleton.com Aug 17, 2017

Dan Carter: Common sense tax policies to unleash power of entrepreneurs

Through common sense tax policies, aimed at helping businesses of all size grows, we can unleash the power of American workers, entrepreneurs, inventors and business owners.

We must change tax laws to allow billions of dollars in American assets, currently held overseas, to come home to America without fear of having them substantially erased by punishing federal taxes. We can bring money back to Connecticut, thereby creating new jobs.

Dick Blumenthal opposes tax cuts for the Middle Class, for small business and on investments. We need to grow and support the Middle Class, not the Political Class.

Source: 2016 Connecticut Senate campaign website CarterForSenate.com Aug 8, 2016

David Walker: 2007: higher taxes needed; 2018: not so much

[In 2007], the Wall Street Journal at the time called him a "Chicken Little" who called for higher taxes and a reduction in benefits. Walker still wants Connecticut's public unions to submit to benefit cuts. But higher taxes in 2018? Not so much. The Republican mantra this year is to cut spending across the board, for starters, then somehow reduce the tax burden.

The communications director for state Democrats said she's not surprised by Walker's walking back his tax stance 11 years later.

Source: CT Post on 2018 Connecticut gubernatorial race May 5, 2018

Heidi Heitkamp: Never eliminate home mortgage deduction

Both candidates mostly ducked a question about which tax loopholes they would close as part of an overall reform plan. Heitkamp said she would "never" support eliminating a tax deduction for interest on home mortgages, and declared she would abolish tax incentives that she said have encouraged companies to export jobs. Both she and Berg said they supported reducing corporate income tax rates
Source: Connecticut Post on 2012 N.D. Senate debate Oct 25, 2012

Jack Orchulli: End over-spending by self-serving career politicians

The social-operational model embraced by Hartford's self-serving, career politicians has lead to over-spending, crippling debt, a lower credit rating, and an environment not friendly to business or job creation. Taxpayers can no longer shoulder this out of control burden. As your Comptroller, I will work with the Governor and the Legislators to make responsible, common sense choices that serve your best interests.I will insist on using GAAP accounting: Generally Accepted Accounting Practice is used by business and government to show honest financial results. The career politicians in Hartford don't use GAAP because it allows them to hide debt and their irresponsible actions from you, the taxpayers.
Source: Connecticut 2010 Senate campaign website WeBackJack2010.com Nov 1, 2010

Leora Levy: Claims Inflation Reduction Act raises taxes, adds to deficit

Levy's nickname for the Inflation Reduction Act is the "Schumer-Manchin Build Back Inflation Better bill."

"It will raise taxes, from what I've read, for everyone whose income is over $200,000. That is breaking a promise that Biden made, that he would not raise taxes on anybody earning $400,000 or less, it does add $100 billion to our deficit that is unconscionable, the debt we are leaving to our children and grandchildren," Levy said.

Source: Breitbart blog on 2022 Connecticut Senate race Aug 6, 2022

Linda McMahon: Economy is fragile; don't raise taxes in a recession

McMahon confronted Blumenthal with his 1989 vote in the state Senate on an $850 million tax increase. "Let me remind you, when he was in the Legislature, one year he voted for an $850 million tax increase that affected middle-class Americans," said McMahon. "We're still paying for it today," said McMahon. "And he almost doubled state spending. We cannot afford another tax-and-spend senator in Washington. We can't afford you Mr. Blumenthal, we've had enough of you already."

McMahon said Blumenthal would allow many of the Bush-era tax breaks to end with this year's calendar, to which Blumenthal replied that the nation's wealthiest don't need them and that he would focus on helping small businesses.

McMahon said that the current economy is fragile. "I certainly want to say to everyone here that I believe that now in time of recession we should not raise taxes on anyone, certainly not on the middle class," she said.

Source: Connecticut Post coverage of 2010 CT Senate debate Oct 7, 2010

Linda McMahon: Make Bush tax cuts permanent or CT loses 8.500 jobs

Q: Would you roll back the Bush-era tax cuts?

BLUMENTHAL: I support extending tax cuts for the middle class. My opponent would vote against tax cuts for the middle class unless and until the wealthiest 2% get tax cuts too. I think that is wrong.

McMAHON: I would make the current tax law permanent. Allowing the tax law to change as proposed would negatively affect our most successful small businesses and our seniors. It is estimated that $1.8 billion will leave the state and be in the hands of Washington politicians if the proposed tax increases go into effect. Only four states in the union will be hit harder than Connecticut. The tax hikes would significantly affect the economy in Connecticut, most notably in the number of jobs and change in personal income. From 2011 to 2020, the state of Connecticut would:

Source: Connecticut Jewish Ledger coverage of 2010 CT Senate debate Sep 29, 2010

Mark Lauretti: Lower taxes & be business-friendly

Economic security will be the key to Connecticut's success. In order to improve our state, we need to improve our financial health. Only then will we have the ability to thrive and help others thrive. We need to keep taxes in check and make our state more friendly to businesses so they can come to depend upon a stable economic environment that is consistent and predictable. This will attract companies to our state, and keep tax-paying residents within our borders.
Source: 2018 Connecticut Governor website MarkLauretti.com Aug 17, 2017

Matthew Corey: Wants lower corporate and middle class tax rates

Asked about his priorities Corey cited tax reform and regulatory reform. "The President wants to bring down the corporate tax rate, he wants to have a basic tax reform for the middle class." He criticized the Connecticut congressional delegation for "spew[ing] the same talking points" on tax reform, suggesting he supports a cut in the corporate tax rate. Corey also talked about cutting regulations - boosting American energy, and relaxing Dodd-Frank rules for small community banks.
Source: Reclaim Connecticut on 2018 Connecticut Senatorial race Oct 12, 2017

Ned Lamont: Middle-class gets hammered by $800B federal deficit

If he's elected governor, Democrat Ned Lamont said that he would help fight a new federal tax law that will hurt homeowners who pay more than $10,000 in state and local taxes.

Lamont linked President Trump's budget with Republican candidate for governor Bob Stefanowski of Madison, saying that Trump's plan forces the federal budget into a $800-billion increase in the federal deficit.

"It's the middle-class, the working class that gets hammered by a tax bill like this," Lamont said, noting that tax deductions go back to the tenure of another Republican President: Abraham Lincoln. "You think about this Trump tax bill. It reminds me a little of the (proposed) Stefanowski elimination of the state income tax. We cannot borrow in this state. We must pay our bills."

"Ned concentrating on state and local deductions ignores the root of the problem, which is that he and Dan Malloy have supported tax increase after tax increase," said a Stefanowski spokesman.

Source: CT Post on 2018 Connecticut gubernatorial race Aug 29, 2018

Ned Lamont: Expand business tax credit to repay employee student loans

I want students and trainees to take a job in Connecticut, and I want Connecticut employers to hire from Connecticut first! To encourage that, we're expanding a tax credit for small businesses that help repay their employees' student loans. More reasons for your business to hire in Connecticut, and for graduates to stay in Connecticut--that's the Connecticut difference.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature Feb 9, 2022

Ned Lamont: Eliminate income tax on pension and 401K income for most

The current property tax credit is too limited, so we're going to double the number of families who can claim it. We're also going cut taxes on automobiles. That's going to reduce car tax bills in more than 100 towns, often by hundreds of dollars per car! We're also going to eliminate the income tax on pension and 401K income for most households. Stay in Connecticut and watch your grandkids grow up in your living room rather than waving to them from a Zoom room in Delray, Florida.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature Feb 9, 2022

Peter Lumaj: Simplify the tax code with a Flat Tax

Source: Connecticut 2012 Senate campaign website Lumaj2012.com Jul 4, 2012

Richard Blumenthal: Nation's wealthiest don't need extension of Bush tax breaks

McMahon confronted Blumenthal with his 1989 vote in the state Senate on an $850 million tax increase. Blumenthal defended his record in the General Assembly, which preceded his 20-year career as attorney general.

"Let me remind you, when he was in the Legislature, one year he voted for an $850 million tax increase that affected middle-class Americans," said McMahon. "We're still paying for it today," said McMahon. "And he almost doubled state spending. We cannot afford another tax-and-spend senator in Washington. We can't afford you Mr. Blumenthal, we've had enough of you already."

McMahon said Blumenthal would allow many of the Bush-era tax breaks to end with this year's calendar, to which Blumenthal replied that the nation's wealthiest don't need them and that he would focus on helping small businesses.

"I certainly want to say to everyone here that I believe that now in time of recession we should not raise taxes on anyone, certainly not on the middle class," McMahon said.

Source: Connecticut Post coverage of 2010 CT Senate debate Oct 7, 2010

Richard Blumenthal: Extending Bush tax cuts for wealthiest 2% is wrong

Q: Would you roll back the Bush-era tax cuts?

BLUMENTHAL: I support extending tax cuts for the middle class. My opponent would vote against tax cuts for the middle class unless and until the wealthiest 2% get tax cuts too. I think that is wrong.

McMAHON: I would make the current tax law permanent. Allowing the tax law to change as proposed would negatively affect our most successful small businesses and our seniors. It is estimated that $1.8 billion will leave the state and be in the hands of Washington politicians if the proposed tax increases go into effect. Only four states in the union will be hit harder than Connecticut. The tax hikes would significantly affect the economy in Connecticut, most notably in the number of jobs and change in personal income. From 2011 to 2020, the state of Connecticut would:

Source: Connecticut Jewish Ledger coverage of 2010 CT Senate debate Sep 29, 2010

Themis Klarides: Connecticut GOP stands for cutting taxes, limiting spending

Klarides said she offers an alternative to the status quo. "I believe I represent Connecticut's brand of Republicanism which stands for cutting taxes, limiting spending, keeping people safe, supporting law enforcement," she said.
Source: NBC News on 2022 Connecticut Senate race Jan 31, 2022

Ned Lamont: I don't want more taxes, I want more taxpayers

Our future is more local businesses and more housing options in your downtown ? walk to work or take faster public transit. You've heard me say it before, "I don't want more taxes, I want more taxpayers." More taxpayers will guarantee a bigger economic pie that lets us keep up the progress in progressive. The next generation in Connecticut is all about opportunity, and that opportunity starts with economic growth.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature Jan 4, 2023

Ned Lamont: Now is the time to enact a meaningful middle-class tax cut

Thanks to our collective efforts, the era of Connecticut's permanent fiscal crisis is over. It's over as long as we maintain the same fiscal discipline that served us so well over the last four years. After many years of unfilled promises, now is the time to enact a meaningful middle-class tax cut. That's a reduction in tax rates, which the state can afford and makes your life more affordable.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature Jan 4, 2023

  • The above quotations are from State of Connecticut Politicians: secondary Archives.
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2016 Presidential contenders on Tax Reform:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023