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Senior Deputy Republican Leader Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott) today responded forcefully to Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposed 2026-2027 biennium budget, calling it a roadmap to higher spending, bigger government, and misplaced priorities.

“Right out of the gate, the Governor admitted his budget increases spending—by a staggering $3.2 billion, nearly 12 percent over the biennium. But it wasn’t just an admission; it was a celebration of excess. After rolling out a laundry list of new and expanded programs, he all but confirmed what we feared: the hard-fought spending caps Republicans secured in 2017 are being gutted.

“Let’s be clear: This budget isn’t about helping working- and middle-class families—it’s about fueling the majority’s insatiable appetite for growing government. The floodgates are open, and Connecticut taxpayers are left to foot the bill while majority Democrats carve out more for their special interests.

“What’s even more frustrating is the Governor’s refusal to prioritize real, meaningful tax relief. Tuesday, my fellow Senate Republicans and I put forward a responsible plan to deliver $1,000 in tax relief to the average Connecticut resident—through income tax cuts, property tax relief, and a fairer, more competitive system that allows people to keep more of what they earn. But instead of putting money back in people’s pockets, Governor Lamont is doubling down on spending and expanding government’s grip on every aspect of our lives.

“He also took the opportunity to reaffirm his dangerous ‘Super Sanctuary State’ policies, mischaracterizing the reality of illegal immigration in Connecticut. His claim that undocumented individuals are merely guilty of ‘minor’ infractions like speeding or shoplifting is not just misleading—it’s an outright insult to law enforcement and the safety of our communities. The truth is, for years, Connecticut has gone out of its way to shield criminal illegal immigrants from accountability while ignoring the concerns of law-abiding residents.

“And if that wasn’t enough, the Governor doubled down on the state’s costly and divisive ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ initiatives, boasting about a newly created six-figure government position—the so-called ‘Chief Equity and Opportunity Officer.’ He justified this by saying, ‘…it’s not just the usual suspects who know about an opening to be a traffic engineer, nurse, commissioner, or judge.’ Who exactly are the ‘usual suspects’? And why is his administration injecting identity politics into everything from hiring engineers to appointing judges?

“With the federal Covid-era ARPA funds gone, the majority party’s true instincts are back on full display: Spend more. Grow government. Divide people. That’s their playbook. But Connecticut residents deserve better—and Senate Republicans will continue fighting for a budget that prioritizes taxpayers, protects fiscal stability, and restores economic freedom in our state,” he said.

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