Hartford, CT — Following years of votes, amendments, and proposals that would harm urban families, the Senate Republican Caucus today held a press conference in an attempt to restore its broken image in Connecticut’s cities.

“It’s hard to believe that after steadfastly supporting Tom Foley and his regressive urban agenda, Senator Fasano and the Senate Republicans are serious about revitalizing Connecticut’s cities,” said Connecticut Democratic Party Communications Director Leigh Appleby. “Republican priorities in the legislature have long disregarded the needs of working and middle class urban families. Republicans proposed eliminating the Earned Income Tax Credit, which would disproportionately affect urban families; they proposed cutting millions from urban schools – one of the best ways to grow the economy in our cities; and they have long impeded meaningful juvenile justice reform. The truth is that urban communities cannot count on Republicans.”

“I welcome anew my former Senate counterparts to the conversation about improving public safety, public education, and job growth in Connecticut cities,” said New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp. “I hope it means they now acknowledge that healthy cities support regional economies and spur widespread growth, and I hope their votes now change on city-supportive program and funding initiatives so their actions follow this new script.”

It’s now up to Republicans to be partners on a strategy that Democrats have long championed.

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Republican Tom Foley Released An Urban Agenda Wednesday That Echoes Or Revises Long-Tried Policies On Housing, Crime And Jobs, While Imposing A Strict “Marketplace” Standard On Failing Urban Schools. “In the first extensive public policy press conference of his second run for governor, Republican Tom Foley released an urban agenda Wednesday that echoes or revises long-tried policies on housing, crime and jobs, while imposing a strict ‘marketplace’ standard on failing urban schools. Foley, 62, a Greenwich businessman who was stunned by the decisive urban turnout in support of Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in their first race four years ago, pledged a year ago that he would compete in the cities by addressing urban issues after a period of conversation and fact-finding. After campaigning largely on the economy and fiscal issues, which pollsters have found are by far the top priorities of Connecticut voters in 2014, Foley stood with five mayors in a pocket park outside city hall and pledged, ‘As governor, I’ll have no higher priority than making our cities great again.’” [CT Mirror, 09/24/14]

The Republican Plan Would Save The State More Than $120 Million A Year By Eliminating The Earned Income Tax Credit For The Working Poor. “With less than three weeks remaining in the legislative session, Republicans offered an alternative budget Thursday that rejects Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s $55 tax rebates and eliminates keno gambling. The Republican plan would save the state more than $120 million a year by eliminating the earned income tax credit for the working poor. That idea was immediately criticized by Democrats who control both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Republicans said they were offering a gimmick-free alternative to the second year of the two-year state budget that restores funding to multiple accounts that include transportation and clean energy.” [Hartford Courant, 04/17/14]

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