Hartford, CT – The Connecticut Democratic Party today released an infographic showing the Republican Gubernatorial candidates’ reckless positions on tax cuts, how they would – or would not – pay for them, and whether they had the capacity to deliver.

“The Republicans have recklessly promised dramatic tax cuts – and they’ve been silent on how to pay for them. Why? They know that if they discuss their arithmetic, they’ll have to explain how they will have to gut education funding, pull the plug on healthcare, and lay off employees. And that’s not something they want to talk about,” said Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo.

“Mark Boughton, Tom Foley, and John McKinney each have proposed nearly a billion or more in tax cuts with no way to pay for them. The facts, simply, are not on their side. Two decades ago, we heard similar promises from John Rowland on eliminating the income tax – and he never delivered. Today’s reckless rhetoric is pulled from the same old, failed Republican playbook – they’re trying to dupe Connecticut voters by packaging up their false claims and calling it ‘a new direction’ for the state.”

The Democratic Party released the following infographic:

Background:

Foley, Boughton, and McKinney Have All Pledged to Cut Taxes

Boughton’s Campaign Website Asserts Boughton Will “Repeal The Malloy Tax Hikes, Saving Connecticut Taxpayers $1.5 Billion Annually.” “As Governor, Mark will: Repeal the Malloy tax hikes, saving Connecticut taxpayers $1.5 billion annually. Simplify the tax code so that taxpayers can file their tax returns from a smartphone. Reform or eliminate state regulations that make it difficult to start a business in Connecticut. Allow the marketplace to work, rather than picking economic winners and losers from Hartford.” [Team Boughton, Issues: Jobs, accessed 5/18/14]

Foley: “I Talked About Taking Half A Point Off The Sales Tax…” Foley: “I talked about taking half a point off the sales tax because that is the most regressive tax we have. That’s the tax that hurts working families the most and it’s the tax, that if you reduce it, has the most stimulating effect on the economy to turn around the job situation.” [Face the State, 5/18/14]

On A Question Of Whether He Would Work To Cut The Income Tax, Foley Responded “Yes.”“Moderator: Would you work to cut the income tax? Boughton: Absolutely. Boucher: Absolutely yes. McKinney: Yes. Yes, repeal the Malloy tax increases. Yes. Visconti: Yes. Foley: Yes. Lauretti: Yes.” [Northeast Republicans Dinner, 1/31/14]

McKinney: “As Governor, I Will Work To Repeal The Malloy Tax Hike…” “As governor, I will work to repeal the Malloy tax hike, reduce state borrowing and pay down state debt. Those are important steps toward improving our economy and creating the conditions for job growth in the state of Connecticut.” [Press Release, McKinney for Governor, 3/28/14]

The Republican Candidates Have All Pledged Spending

Boughton’s Campaign Website Claims, That As Governor, Boughton Will Increase Funding For School Security And Transportation. “As Governor, Mark will: Expand the state’s competitive grant fund for school security improvements with a focus on proven electronic and physical security measures that deter school violence […] As Governor, Mark will: Adopt a plan to replace the Aetna Viaduct in Hartford, Address the list of “unfundable” state projects and get them funded, Review the state’s transportation funding strategy to prioritize projects based on their ability to ease traffic congestion.” [Team Boughton, Issues, accessed 5/19/14]

Foley: “One Of The Best Ways You Can Invest In People Is To Invest In Schools. We Have Many Schools In Connecticut That Are Not Doing A Good Enough Job. We Have Some 120,000 Young People In Schools That Are Not Getting A Decent Education.” [Face the State, 5/18/14]

McKinney’s Republican Alternative Budget Proposal Includes Spending Increases To The Primary Care Provider Rates, American Legion, Vocational Education, Cost Of Living For Home Care Services, DDS Waiting List, Retired Teachers Health Care, Governor’s Mental Health Initiative, And Renters’ Rebate Program. [Honest and Responsible Alternative Budget Adjustments Summary]

In 1994, Then-Candidate John Rowland Promised To Eliminate the Income Tax Without Raising Other Taxes

New York Times Headline: “Rowland Pledges an End To the State’s Income Tax” [New York Times, 9/8/94]

New York Times: “The Leading Republican Candidate For Governor, John G. Rowland, Pledged Today That He Would Eliminate Connecticut’s Personal Income Tax Over The Next Five Years And Reduce The State’s Business And Inheritance Taxes Without Raising Other Taxes To Take Their Place.” [New York Times, 9/8/94]

How Did He Plan to Pay For The Lost Revenue?

Rowland: “We’re Not Going To Be Increasing Any Of The Other Taxes…We Can Cut Enough Spending.” “‘We’re not going to be increasing any of the other taxes,’ Mr. Rowland said during a television debate here with his opponent in next Tuesday’s Republican primary, Secretary of the State Pauline R. Kezer. ‘We can cut enough spending.’” [New York Times, 9/8/94]

New York Times: “But The Key To His Plan, He Said, Is His Expectation That The State’s Economy Will Improve, Generating More Revenue From The Remaining Taxes, Once State Spending Is Slashed To Make Connecticut More Attractive To Businesses.” [New York Times, 9/8/94]

Of Course, As The Hartford Courant Noted In A 1996 Headline, “What Happened to Eliminating the Income Tax,” It Never Came Into Fruition.

Hartford Courant Headline: “What Happened to Eliminating the Income Tax?” “In 1994, candidate John G. Rowland promised to phase out the state income tax in five years, saying, `I have a specific, detailed plan to eliminate the income tax.’ That pledge probably helped him get elected, and on Wednesday, it was hovering in the House chamber, a sort of ghost of campaign promises past, ready to haunt — if not yet actually haunting — Gov. Rowland as he delivered his second-year budget message. Rowland didn’t mention his five-year pledge Wednesday.” [Hartford Courant, 2/8/96]

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