Despite a growing budget shortfall that is expected to hit $1.1 billion in the next fiscal year, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is vowing that he won't increase taxes again. Malloy last year hiked state taxes by an historic $1.5 billion to help balance the state budget.
Combined with the current year's budget gap of $365 million and the additional shortfall of about $1 billion expected in the 2013-2014 fiscal year, Malloy and state lawmakers are facing deficits of more than $2.5 billion when they meet in early 2013 to craft a new two-year budget, according to the Connecticut Mirror.
Malloy, however, said this week that the shortfalls will not require additional tax hikes. In a press conference following the release of the new budget figures, Malloy said the state fiscal problems are the result of weak economic factors nationwide and that no new taxes would be needed to close the budget gap.
“I have no intention of raising taxes,” Malloy said. “No, I’m not leaving a window open. I have no intention of raising taxes. … I have no intention of raising taxes. …. I’m giving you as definitive language as I am comfortable giving you at the moment. I have no intention of raising taxes.” He added, “We have absolutely no intention of raising taxes in dealing with the next biennium. Folks, that’s the language.”