Connecticut Republicans are proposing a tax relief package that would eliminate the state income tax for thousands of residents, repeal the meals tax at grocery stores and provide drivers with a one-year gas tax holiday.

The proposal, unveiled at the state Capitol, has sparked pushback from Democrats, who argue the plan relies on budget gimmicks and would divert money currently used to reduce long-standing pension debt.

The proposed tax cuts would cost about $2 billion that currently goes toward paying down decades of pension debt.

"I'll believe anything they say when they produce an actual budget that is balanced and not full of gimmicks, because lately what they've been doing is all gimmicks," said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff.

Republicans defended the proposal as needed relief for taxpayers.

"For years in this building, it's always been about, 'How can we afford this or how can we afford that?'" Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding said.

"It's about time we started asking, 'Can we afford more taxes on the middle class people of this state?' And the answer, clearly, is no," Harding said.