Blasting the Republican-passed state budget, Rep. Roland Lemar says a cut to the community college system sends a message to future employers that the state is not open for business. Many community college students are Connecticut high school graduates who find a home here, get a start here and become part of the workforce of the future here, Lemar said in this New Haven Independent news story.

The Republicans' two-year budget is unbalanced, relies on unrealistic savings and contains significant cuts to higher education. Their spending package would also slash vital services and programs that our most vulnerable residents rely on. I stood in opposition to their budget proposal and voted "No" because not only does this spending plan hurt our most vulnerable residents, but it also contradicts Connecticut's fundamental values.

Early Saturday morning, I voted against a Republican budget proposal that moves our state in the wrong direction.

Rep. Jason Rojas joined his legislative colleagues who represent East Hartford in issuing a statement denouncing the Republican-sponsored state budget as a dishonest and short-sighted proposal that punishes poor and middle-class working families while providing more money to rich communities.

The Republicans' two-year budget is unbalanced, relies on unrealistic savings, and contains devastating cuts to higher education. Their spending package would also inflict turmoil by slashing the vital services and programs that our most vulnerable residents rely on. I strongly opposed their spending proposal and voted "No" because I believe this budget is bad for Bridgeport and contradicts Connecticut's core values.

University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst summed up the Republican budget, saying it would decimate UConn, its satellite campuses, the state university system and community colleges across the state. Rep. Haddad called the GOP budget "a recipe for disaster" in his remarks to legislators.

Each year, more than $2 billion in state education aid is distributed to towns and cities through entirely arbitrary block grants. There is no strategic approach that reflects the state's priorities, the needs of students or what cities and towns can afford. There is no "formula." That's why the way the state distributes school aid is now in the courts. It is the responsibility of the legislative branch, working with the executive branch, to adopt a fair school finance system for Connecticut.

Hidden in the Republican budget is a new, annual tax on all public school teachers. Every teacher must contribute 1% of salary for half of this year, and 2% of all of next year's salary to state general fund! The GOP bill is cleverly worded. The word "teacher" does not appear in the legislation but it clearly pertains to teachers.