Connecticut
Republican gubernatorial candidate promises to phase out CT’s income tax; some remain skeptical
Republican gubernatorial candidate Betsy McCaughey promised Friday to phase out the state income tax altogether if she’s elected.
It’s a promise other Republicans have failed to fulfill in Connecticut, but McCaughey said it could give Connecticut a competitive advantage over other states in the Northeast.
“Good-bye to dying New York, and welcome to booming Connecticut,” she said during a press conference at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
Former Gov. John Rowland never delivered on his promise, despite a decade in office, while Bob Stefanowski made the elimination of the income tax the cornerstone of his losing 2018 effort against Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Connecticut).
McCaughey, a Newsmax host and former lieutenant governor of New York, said her plan was different because she would make incremental cuts to the income tax as state revenues met certain benchmarks.
She did not have specifics on Friday, instead saying she would put together a panel to come up with a plan modeled after actions in states like South Carolina.
McCaughey said the state would make up for the revenue by attracting businesses and giving residents more money to spend, thereby increasing collections from the sales tax and other revenue sources.
The state is expected to receive roughly $13.6 billion in income tax revenue, slightly more than half of all state revenue. By comparison, forecasts project $5.3 billion in sales tax revenue.
Some economists question whether eliminating the income tax will spur sufficient economic growth to offset lost tax revenue elsewhere.
University of New Haven professor Patrick Gourley said people could spend some of that money in other states or use it for purposes that don’t generate tax revenue.
“Just because some of those additional earnings people get to keep, they’ll save themselves or invest and not spend,” he said.
McCaughey pointed to a report from the conservative-leaning American Legislative Exchange Council that ranked Connecticut’s economy 48th based on data from 2013 to 2023 as a sign that the state’s economy needs a jump start.
“Governor Ned Lamont, moneybags Lamont, claims that the state’s economy is resilient,” she said. “That’s a lie; this state’s economy is almost dead.”
More recently, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis said Connecticut’s economy had the 4th best growth rate during the third quarter of last year, a stretch that covers July through September.
Lamont defended his economic record, including his proposal and negotiation of an income tax cut in 2023.
“I think every 4 years for 30 years, Republicans said we’re going to eliminate the income tax,” he said after a press conference in Wethersfield. “Who’s the one guy who actually cut the income tax?”
Even some Republican gubernatorial candidates were dubious of McCaughey’s pledge.
Sen. Ryan Fazio, (R-Greenwich), touted his own plan to fund a tax cut, averaging $1,500 per person, using spending cuts and savings in the budget. Some of those savings would come from reduced pension payments.
“Empty promises are just that, they can never become reality, unless there’s a leader who can articulate them and deliver them,” he said. “I’m that candidate.”
Former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, who is also seeking the nomination, declined to comment.
Marked by a ceremonial ribbon cutting and attended by Governor Ned Lamont, state legislators, Waterbury officials, and community leaders, UConn Health celebrated the acquisition of Waterbury Hospital which as of today is now the UConn Health Waterbury Hospital.
“This is a defining moment for healthcare in Connecticut,” said Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health Community Network. “We now have the opportunity to take the award -winning academic quality and service of UConn Health and share it with the wonderful employees, doctors and community of Waterbury.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont described the initiative as a forward-looking investment in the future of healthcare access across Connecticut.
“Connecticut is leading with innovation,” said Connecticut Governor Lamont. “The UConn Health Community Network reflects a proactive approach to strengthening community-based care by connecting it directly to the capabilities of our state’s public academic medical center. What begins in Waterbury today, represents a new model designed to expand opportunity, access, and excellence for communities statewide.”
In addition to UConn Health Waterbury Hospital, the Network includes UConn Health Community Network Medical Group and UConn Health Waterbury Health at Home. The model preserves each member’s local identity and will grow thoughtfully over time to improve quality, expand access, and reduce the total cost of care.
“This reflects a bold step forward in how we think about healthcare in Connecticut,” said John Driscoll, Chair of the UConn Health Board of Directors. “Today we celebrate the beginning of a new approach to community-based care. We move forward with clarity of purpose and shared commitment to serve our communities better together.”
Comptroller Sean Scanlon highlighted the significance of the model for the long-term evolution of healthcare delivery in Connecticut.
“This partnership represents thoughtful leadership at a pivotal time for healthcare,” said Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon. “By aligning community hospitals with academic medicine, Connecticut is building a modern framework that positions our healthcare system to meet the needs of patients today and into the future.”
“Hosting this celebration on our campus is deeply meaningful for our staff, physicians and the families we serve,” said Deborah Weymouth, President of UConn Health Waterbury Hospital. “Waterbury’s legacy of care continues, and we are tremendously proud to have a strong partner who is deeply committed to our community and help lead this next chapter for healthcare.”
Welcome UConn Health Waterbury Hospital!
A multi-vehicle crash temporarily close Interstate 84 on Tuesday night.
The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. and involved four cars, according to the Hartford Fire Department.
Fire crews arrived at the scene and helped one of the drivers who was trapped. The driver was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Four other people reported minor injuries but declined ambulance treatment at the scene, officials said.
I-84 East was temporarily shut down as crews responded but has since reopened.
The Connecticut State Police is investigating the crash.
As the snow turns to sleet and freezing rain in parts of the state this afternoon, it is causing some treacherous travel on Connecticut roads.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is reporting several crashes.
There are crashes on both sides of Interstate 691 in Meriden.
A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the eastbound side of I-691 between Exit 5 and 3, closing the left lane. On the westbound side, a single-vehicle crash closed the left lane.
There is a two-vehicle crash on I-91 North in Middletown between Exits 20 and 21. The left and center lanes are closed.
A multi-vehicle crash has closed lanes of I-84 East in Waterbury between Exits 25 and 25A. There is a second crash on I-84 East in Southington near Exit 30.
In Cromwell, a two-vehicle crash closed the right lane of Route 9 North in Cromwell.
On Route 9 South, a crash closed a lane on the southbound side.
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