A key legislative committee has approved a plan to increase the estate tax for Connecticut’s wealthiest residents, establish a new hospital tax and increase fees for most electricity customers.
The General Assembly’s finance committee rejected Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s plans Tuesday to legalize keno electronic gambling. The proposal could come up again before the legislative session ends May 5.
Majority Democrats and the Republican governor are trying to close a projected budget deficit of as much as $500 million in the current fiscal year.
Republican lawmakers criticized the proposed tax increases, accusing Democrats of failing to cut spending.
The Democrats’ plan would increase all nine rates of the estate tax, which is paid by heirs of estates worth more than $3.5 million.
