A (Dems) spending plan that particularly bothered Cafero was a program of $1 million that "advises seniors not to go on ladders and be careful of throw rugs" in order to prevent falls. The idea started as a pilot program two years ago, but it is continuing during tough economic times, he said.
"On the one hand, we need people to smoke to balance the budget, (talking about a tax increase on cigarettes)" Cafero roared, adding that the state simultaneously spends millions of dollars to stop citizens from smoking. "Go figure."
On a separate amendment that was approved about 11:30 p.m., Cafero complained that the Democrats were making specific earmarks for certain "winners and losers" in tough economic times that included allocating $50,000 for the Valley-Shore YMCA in Westbrook.
"How did the Westbrook YMCA get so lucky?" Cafero asked.
"I'm not so sure," Geragosian responded.
The legislature remained sharply divided along party lines Monday night. But Rep. Linda Schofield of Simsbury, a moderate who was one of the few Democrats who opposed the party's budget, said the bill spends "far more" on a long-term basis than it collects in taxes. Legislators need to "take our medicine" and make real cuts, she said.
During negotiations, Democrats agreed to increase the state income tax - as well as the cigarette tax and a temporary, three-year surcharge on the corporate profits tax. In addition, the real estate conveyance tax would be applied for the first time to homes that are forced to be sold through a court-ordered foreclosure.
The changes in the estate tax represent a compromise proposal by Democrats in response to Rell's push to eliminate the tax completely. Democrats say that the elimination would represent an unjustified windfall for the wealthy, including the super-rich who die with estates of more than $100 million.
The state income tax would rise to 6.5 percent for couples earning more than $1 million annually and individuals earning more than $500,000. The current maximum rate of 5 percent would apply to income below those levels, while the 6.5 percent rate would apply only to the amount above $1 million for couples. That change would generate about $1 billion for state coffers over two years and close a deficit that had been projected at $8.5 billion.
