Republican leaders say that any Democratic budget that includes tax increases, such as the budget proposal Gov. Janet Mills (D) unveiled Friday, will receive zero GOP votes.

The Republican leaders from both the House and Senate held a press conference Tuesday to draw a line in the sand over what will be the biggest fiscal fight of the year, but they also outlined several other policy priorities for GOP lawmakers.

“Republicans are not going to be supporting any budget any budget that’s going to raise taxes on Maine people,” said Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook).

Stewart laid blame on Mills and legislative Democrats for the “structural deficit” that the Mills Administration has attempted to confront with the budget proposal, saying that the “hens have come home to roost” for left-wing proposals that have been passed without “responsible funding mechanisms.”

“Republicans are committed to a number of things this session that includes what you heard on the campaign trail from legislative Republicans, namely, getting energy costs under control, looking at how we do property taxes in Maine, getting a handle on that, and possibly complete revamping of the system,” Stewart said.

House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) leveled sharp criticism at the Mills administration’s proposal, noting that the tax increases contained within the governor’s proposed spending plan would be disproportionately paid by lower income Mainers.

The Republican leaders both said that rather than hiking taxes the legislature should rein in the state’s vast and growing welfare system, including welfare payments to noncitizens.

Even in her budget proposal and related press materials, Mills seemed to acknowledge that benefits provided to noncitizens have contributed to the growing cost of Maine’s welfare programs. Under her proposal, the state would end Food Stamp benefits for noncitizens who have work permits but have not obtained employment.

Republicans said the proposal doesn’t go far enough.

Stewart pointed out that Maine’s vast and costly welfare system is turning the state into a hub for illegal immigrants in New England.

“Now is the time, more than ever, to get a handle on what has been happening across Maine and why we have become the mecca of New England states, with folks flocking to to access our benefits,” said Stewart.

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Matt Harrington (R-York) vowed the GOP would continue to fight against net energy billing, a program intended to transition the state toward more “renewable” energy sources.

The program amounts to a stealthy tax included in electricity bills that is used to fund mostly out-of-state solar panel companies.

In the last session, the GOP narrowly lost a bipartisan effort to halt the program.

Rep. Katrina Smith (R-Palermo), the newly elected Assistant House Minority Leader, took aim at Mills’ budget for proposing the creation of new government positions.

“We say no to new taxes, no to new positions, and yes to the future for the families in Maine,” said Rep. Smith.