Nation IN BRIEF : CONNECTICUT : Officials to Debate Income Tax Repeal

The Connecticut General Assembly returned to the Capitol for a special session to consider repealing the state’s new personal income tax. Tens of thousands of residents have demonstrated, picketed and even threatened some of the legislators since they enacted a 4.5% income tax in September. Legislators have enough votes to repeal the tax but have been unable to muster the two-thirds majority required to override Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr.’s certain veto. Earlier this year, the governor vetoed three other budget bills that lacked an income tax, and current efforts to craft a budget without an income tax were made more difficult when Weicker announced that the state is suffering from a $175-million deficit. Pressure on the legislators will continue when they hold public meetings on alternative financing measures.