State government needs streamlining, before asking people to pay more.
To keep you up to date, here is information on the state legislature’s response to the current economic crisis that has Connecticut families struggling, and state government as well. There are three proposals on the table:
- Gov. Jodi Rell has recommended a budget that protects core services and consolidates state agencies with no tax increases.
- Majority Democratic legislators proposed a $3.3 billion-tax increase (broadening the sales tax and increasing income taxes and business taxes), a reduction in state aid to municipalities, with no consolidation of state agencies.
- Minority Republicans offered a No-Tax-Increase Budget to trim state government, impose a freeze on hiring and protect taxpayers and municipalities.
My approach is to support a no-tax-increase budget that streamlines government agencies – safeguards state aid to towns and schools – and preserves a $500 homeowners’ property tax credit that you receive when filing your state income tax return.
State government has grown about 70 percent from its $10.5 billion budget a decade ago – while the cost of living has increased about 30 percent.
In these hard economic times, common sense tells us that government should trim its spending, encourage business growth and job creation.
Government needs to assure efficiency and accountability, while eliminating its top-heavy managerial style, so what money we do have goes toward programs and individuals who need them.
The public apparently agrees with this general approach. In a February poll conducted by Quinnipiac University asking the public about the state financial situation:
• 82% said it’s time to shrink state government
• 67% favored cutting government programs and services
• 67% said taxes should not be raised
Please let me know what you think. Compare the three proposals. Thank you for your interest.
