Politics & Government

State GOP Has Big Plans for Malloy's Tax Surplus

Republican legislators want to reinstitute the sales-tax exemption for shoes and clothing under $50 and non-prescription medications.

By Corey Fyke

A day after Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy touted a purported $500 million state budget surplus, Republicans are looking to spend some of it to reinstate tax exemptions taken away in 2011.

According to the Hartford Courant's Capitol Watch blog, Republican legislators want to restore tax-free status to shoes and clothing that cost under $50 and non-prescription drugs such as over-the-counter remedies.

"The exemption was established in recognition of the fact that clothing is a basic human necessity, and no one, especially low-income families, should be burdened by a tax that would increase the price of clothing,” House Republican leader Larry Cafero said in the Courant piece Thursday.

“Two days ago, Republicans were denying we had a surplus.  Today, they’re laying out plans on how to spend it," said Andrew Doba, the governor's Director of Communications, in a news release. "At least they’re finally acknowledging that after making some hard choices, Connecticut’s budget is in much better shape than it was three years ago. The governor will have more to say about his own proposals in the days ahead.”

The state legislature actually has already reinstituted the clothing sales-tax tax break effective June 1, 2015, but Republicans want it back sooner — April 1 of this year.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here