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Republican leaders outline budget strategy: oppose new taxes, question $4B collective bargaining cost
Summary
Republican leaders told reporters they will oppose new taxes and press for spending cuts; they criticized a proposed $4 billion collective bargaining package, questioned furlough savings estimates, and warned against using rainy‑day funds for ongoing spending.
Republican leaders at a week‑8 press availability emphasized resisting new taxes and outlined a set of spending concerns they say must be addressed to close the state's budget gap without new revenue.
Sen. John Braun said the Republican caucuses will push back on a slate of tax ideas circulating in the Capitol — examples he listed included lifting the 1 percent property‑tax limit, a P&O tax surcharge, payroll or head taxes, a wealth tax, changes to REIT treatment and a tax on self‑storage. "Our role as I see it is to push back about against a whole host of taxes," Braun said.
On negotiated compensation, speakers repeatedly cited a collective bargaining agreement figure of roughly $4,000,000,000 (as referenced in the transcript) and criticized a proposed furlough plan they said would yield only about $300,000,000–$350,000,000 in savings. "You're spending more money and getting less in public services," Representative Chris Corey said, arguing that furloughs plus a large pay settlement make the math look inconsistent.
Braun criticized a bill described in the transcript as merging a Tier‑1 retirement system with other Tier‑1 systems; he said the merger would save about $3,000,000,000 but that sponsors then proposed spending approximately $2,400,000,000 of that on a permanent COLA for those systems. He argued that committing one‑time savings to ongoing COLAs in a year of deficits is unwise.
When asked whether Republicans would ask the governor to revisit a prior feasibility decision about the contracts, Braun said he had discussed the matter with the governor and that the governor "is not committed in any way" to rescinding the prior administration's determination, though he understands cost concerns.
On the rainy‑day fund, Braun and others called proposals to move money from that reserve into the general fund "a bad idea," arguing the fund is meant to buffer revenue dips and should not be used to fund ongoing spending.
No formal fiscal actions were taken during the press availability; Republican leaders framed their remarks as laying down a public position ahead of floor debates and budget rollouts.
