Senate Leadership
March 18, 2008
Williams Details Costs of Iraq War to Connecticut
Connecticut has lost 41 men & women, and according to report-nearly $13 billion in taxpayer money
Senate President Donald E. Williams (D-Brooklyn) says the five year anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War should serve as a powerful reminder to Connecticut residents of the need to provide support to veterans and their families.
"For those on the front lines and for the families left behind here at home, there is tremendous sacrifice," said Senator Williams. Since September 11, 2001, forty-one service men and women from Connecticut have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Connecticut is forever indebted to these brave men and women, and we honor their sacrifice," Senator Williams continued.
Senator Williams also stressed that the human and financial costs of the war to Connecticut are mounting. According to the National Priorities Project (a not-for-profit research organization), the Iraq War has cost Connecticut taxpayers $12.8 billion, with an additional $2 billion pending for Fiscal Year 2008 and $3.4 billion projected for Fiscal Year 2009.
"Connecticut taxpayers have already spent nearly $13 billion on the Iraq War and they're on pace to spend an additional $5 billion by the end of the next fiscal year," said Senator Williams. "This money could be better spent on rebuilding our economy, improving our transportation infrastructure, developing alternative energy sources, improving our schools, and growing jobs in Connecticut."
President Bush's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2009 attempts to partially offset the costs of the Iraq War by cutting Federal Aid to State and Local Governments by $19.2 billion. Those cuts would impact residents of Connecticut and programs which help them, including:
- Community Development Block Grants ($10.6 million cut)
- Low-income Home Energy Assistance ($6.7 million cut)
- Social Services Block Grants ($6.2 million cut)
- Section 8 Housing Vouchers ($8 million cut)
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