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As we approach another election, I’m struck by the dishonesty displayed in political advertising. Campaigns today seem to be less about conveying the truth and more about misleading voters, hoping we’re too distracted to notice.

In one ad, a Democratic candidate falsely accuses their Republican opponent of supporting a national abortion ban. Regardless of how you feel about the issue, the point is the blatant willingness to lie. I know the Republican in question, and they have always been pro-choice. Yet, their opponent, desperate for votes, chose to spread misinformation without hesitation.

Republicans aren’t innocent either. Some are touting their vote for fiscal “guardrails” back in 2017, conveniently ignoring that those guardrails were attached to one of the most irresponsible spending packages in our state’s history. Don’t get me wrong—I absolutely support the concept of fiscal guardrails, as they were critical to keeping Connecticut’s finances from spiraling further out of control.

But let’s be honest about the rest of that bill: it also bailed out Hartford for $550 million and eliminated property tax credits against the income tax for most Connecticut residents.

This dishonesty isn’t limited to any one level of government. Candidates across all races—state and national—are manipulating their constituents rather than telling them the truth.

Look at the 2023 Connecticut state budget. Candidates from both parties who voted for it are calling it “the largest income tax cut in state history.” Even if that were true, it would be a sad commentary on our fiscal state.

The tax cut provides minimal relief targeted at lower brackets—topping out at $50 per month at most—while the rest of the budget balloons spending by 5.6%, or $2.7 billion. In reality, this modest tax cut is buried under layers of additional spending and new taxes. Newsflash: You cannot increase spending by billions and then say you are providing tax relief. Talk about rearranging the deck chairs…

Here’s what they’re failing to tell you was in this 878-page bill:

Corporate Tax Surcharge: The budget continues the corporate tax surcharge (§§ 347-349, pg. 644), extending this burden on businesses indefinitely, which will most certainly pass it on to consumers, while misleading taxpayers into thinking relief is on the way.

Healthcare Coverage for Illegal Aliens: The budget extends healthcare under HUSKY to illegal alien children, raising the age limit from 12 to 15 (§§ 283 pg. 508). Taxpayers are being forced to pay for healthcare for individuals who are not even legally in the country.

Student Loan Reimbursement Pilot:  The budget establishes a new program offering up to $20,000 in student loan reimbursements (§§ 174, pg. 284), with no concern for the ballooning cost that taxpayers are once again expected to shoulder.

Baby Bonds Program:  The state will pay $3,200 to each child born under poverty (§§ 148, pg. 239) and the funding comes from raiding the already stretched Teachers’ Retirement Fund.

DUI Criminal Record Erasure:  A new provision allows DUI offenders to erase their records after ten years, sending a dangerous message to law-abiding families and those affected by impaired driving (§ 119, pg. 201).

Debt-Free Community College Costs: The expansion of this program to include returning students is another example of irresponsible spending to curry favor for votes (§ 135, pg. 217).

Union Strike Settlement: The budget sneaks in a $50 million union strike settlement and the controversial John Lewis Voting Rights Act, inserted without a separate vote, both of which should have been debated independently (§§ 410-418, pg. 819).

Medical Debt Forgiveness: This is not about helping people—it’s about undermining the free market, expanding government control, and empowering politicians to pick winners and losers with your tax dollars. By allocating $6.5 million to erase medical debt (§ 48, pg. 85), they’ve decided that taxpayers who paid their bills are now responsible for bailing out those who didn’t.

Hartford-Specific Expenditures: The budget throws millions into Hartford-specific projects, such as sewer system repairs and flood damage reimbursement programs, benefiting a select few while statewide taxpayers pick up the tab (§§ 141-145, pg. 230).

XL Center Renovations: Allocating $80 million taxpayer dollars to a failing venue with no transparency, another misuse of taxpayer money (§§ 393-395, pg. 809).

Gender-Affirming Care: The bill also includes gender-affirming care provisions for HUSKY beneficiaries (§ 309, pg. 560), for inmates (§ 305, pg. 552), and legal protections for providers (§ 306-307, pg. 553)—all taxpayer-funded and never openly debated.

These provisions, buried deep in the budget, are being hidden from voters. The candidates who voted for this bill are counting on you not to read the fine print, as they parade the tax cut as their only achievement.

I’m not against tax cuts—far from it. I firmly believe the government taxes us all far too much. But it’s disgraceful when candidates, whether incumbents or challengers, lie to voters about the contents of a law. They’re not doing this to help their constituents; they’re doing it to get re-elected. I’ve been attacked dishonestly many times in my career. I am continually attacked with falsehoods, forcing me to scramble to set the record straight. But here’s the thing—I read the bills. I know what I’m voting for, and I can defend it, because I don’t lie to the people who trust me to represent them.

The lesson is simple: Be wary of campaign promises and accusations, no matter the party. Do your own research. Read the bills.

As always, you can reach me at senatorsampson.com where I’ll continue to provide the truth—because
you deserve nothing less.

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