Lamont's First Budget Expands Sales Tax, Tackles Fixed Costs, Retiree Benefits

"It's going to be tough, but let's do it together," governor says. "The budget I have proposed is far from perfect and I welcome your input...let's work together on an honest budget...one that gets our state moving again." #ctbudget

"I know this tolling idea sounds like one more damn tax for people to pay," governor says. Adds state's #transportation system can't be fixed without revenue--"we cannot borrow our way out of this mess." #ctbudget

Lamont invites businesses "to step up and partner with me to help the next generation of talent repay their student loans and save for their futures." Says @StanleyBlkDeckr, @Travelers already agreed to offer programs. #ctbudget

Governor proposes eliminating the biennial $250 business entity tax, "which is a costly nuisance, especially to #smallbiz,." Not mentioned--#ctbudget proposal hikes the $20 annual business filing fee to $100.

Lamont says broad based expansion of sales tax makes it "more robust, fairer, and raises the revenue we need to get #ctbudget into balance. I have been forewarned...every tax expenditure has a strong lobby behind it and the push back will be ferocious."

Lamont says skyrocketing bond authorizations "consuming more and more of #ctbudget;" proposes cutting bonding by nearly $600 million a year. "Connecticut is on a debt diet – and I am going to make sure we stick to that plan."