April 25, 2007

DEM’S BUDGET A WINNER FOR NEW HAVEN

State Representative Juan Candelaria (D-95th District) hailed the Democratic state budget proposal as a win for taxpayers and a win for New Haven. Under the proposal, taxpayers would see income and property tax cuts and municipalities could expect additional aid for education and property tax relief.

The budget proposal includes and additional $14.8 million for education and town aid over and above what New Haven received for 2007 (an 7.8% increase).

Rep. Candelaria said, “I am pleased to see that this comprehensive plan covers all the important issues, and I applaud leadership for working on this outstanding budget. This plan is a terrific place to start and I am delighted to be a part of this process.”

Property taxpayers would also due to an increase in the property tax credit on income taxes from $500 to $1000. Democrats also included an income tax cut for 88% for the state’s residents – joint filers making under $150,000 would see their income tax rates drop from 5% to 4.75%. The tax rate would stay at 5% on incomes up to $150,000. The proposal would also enact an earned income tax credit for low income families.

The Democratic plan also involves pumping $300 million into health care programs designed to help children and seniors. The HUSKY program would also be expanded to cover parents and pregnant women. A funding increase also goes to hospitals, physicians, clinics, dental care, vision, chronic disease hospitals and personal care assistants – the first such increase since 1989.

Rep. Juan Candelaria was elected to office in 2002 representing the 95th Assembly District in the House of Representatives. He is Assistant Majority Leader and a member of the Appropriations and Regulations Review Committees and Vice Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee.