CT Budget

Letter to editor published in Republican American 4/22/2009
The Legislature has a new way of governing. Rep. Lawlor and Sen. McDonald attempted to push an anti-Catholic bill through the Judiciary Committee and when the public objected they claimed they had no idea it would be a problem. They are still at it though trying to pass another bill that would affect what is taught about gay rights in the schools. Now the Democrat controlled Legislature proposes a budget that is rife with tax increases, $3.3 billion. This includes broadening and increasing the income tax, and elimination of property tax credits. No elimination of social agencies we just can’t afford. No job cuts. When the public reacts, they claim it is just a trial balloon. They’re answer to small businesses concerned about the 30% surcharge on business profits is, “If they don’t make a profit, they don’t have to pay the tax.” The Democrats budget does not ask state employee unions to take any cuts. Next to tax increases, Democrats love unions since they are the Democrats biggest supporters. But citizens and businesses can always come up with more money. The governor seems to have been able to come up with a budget with no tax increases and job losses through attrition and retirement incentives. Concerning the Republican budget, Derek Slap, a spokesman for the Senate Democrats said, "We're not saying the whole thing is garbage." What do the Democrats not understand about how bad it is to raise taxes during a recession? Evidently not much.

Dodd

Chris Dodd has done it again. First he is a cheerleader for Fannie and Freddie while taking campaign contributions. He continued boosting them right through last year. Then with the AIG bailout he puts in a clause that allows bonuses. Yesterday he denied he knew about it and today he admits it. He was also the receipient of the largest campaign contribution from AIG execs last year, $103,100. Have the voters had enough yet? Dodd is way overdue for retirement and since the state doesn't have a method to recall a Senator or Representative, and he probably will not resign, it will be up to the voters in 2010. I hope the voters see the light and get rid of this crook who took a sweetheart mortgage with Countrywide and has been the head of Senate Banking Commitee for the last two years and has done nothing to help the nation.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/sen-dodd-calls-fannie-freddie/story.aspx?guid={6D500286-5BDC-433B-A2EF-A9B3CE520ADE}&dist=msr_15
Sen. Dodd calls Fannie, Freddie 'fundamentally strong'
By Michael R. Crittenden
Last update: 3:11 p.m. EDT July 11, 2008
"This is not a time to be panicking about this. These are viable, strong institutions," Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said at a Capitol Hill press conference.
The comments came as the two government-sponsored enterprises continued to be the focus of growing fears they could be insolvent or could face a capital crunch. Shares of Freddie Mac were recently down 10% following strong declines earlier this week, while Fannie Mae shares were down 24%.
"The economics are fine in these institutions and people need to know that," Dodd said. There's no reason "to talk about failure," he added.

State Money Crisis

Governor Rell has presented a fiscally responsible budget with no tax increases. She has suggested cutting aid to groups such as Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, and others. Agencies have said they help students apply to college or help people with discrimination, services that could be available from other sources such as schools or lawyers. Each agency should be asked, if not them, then what should go. The Democratic legislature has apparently sided with the unions who in answer to the request for givebacks, have said they want increased taxation and other guarantees. The Democrats feel the agencies are a necessary part of providing the ‘nanny state’ coverage so loved by them. Democrats controlling the legislature and our representatives in DC have not done their job. Only 69% of the money going to Washington from Connecticut is returned in aid. We have a gas tax of which only 32% goes to transportation. We had a “temporary” state income tax instituted in the 90s. Attorney General Blumenthal wants to start up a stop smoking help line with funds received from a drug company case settlement. They just don’t get it. We, the people, need to take a stand and not blindly be governed by spend and tax policies of the Democrat controlled legislature. If you feel as I do than let your representatives in the state know it by telling them, “No new taxes!”. Or you will not be re-elected.

Election 08

Connecticut's legislature is controlled by the Democrats. The people suffer under high taxes, including very high gasoline taxes of which only 32 percent of the revenues go for transportation costs. Connecticut is among the least business-friendly states.

I blame the mismanagement of our state on Democrats who for too long have taken our elections for granted. Combine that with the Democrats not supporting the constitutional convention that could give voters a direct say in lawmaking and you have a party in control that wants to keep the voter in the dark while it continues to mismanage the government and the economy.

On Nov. 4, voters have a chance to change this and bring more balance to our government by not voting for Democrats and voting for convening a constitutional convention.

Missing the Point

Recently the Connecticut State Legislature override the Governor's veto of the minimum wage increase. Overlooked in the discussion was the cost of living in Connecticut. Maybe the minimum wage increase would have not been needed if the cost of living in Connecticut had not gone out of control. A trip to Massachusetts this past weekend showed a perfect example of Connecticut's cost. I was able to purchase gas at $3.99 per gallon while the price in my own neighborhood in Connecticut was hovering around $4.42. Even the Mass Pike was selling it for $4.15. The record run up in gasoline prices also resulted in a record revenue of gas taxes especially the gross receipts tax which is indexed to the price of gasoline. Since 62% of the gasoline taxes goes to the general fund, the legislature has had more money to spend. But they still have run up more expenses than they have revenue. So the legislature has missed the point. If the cost of living in Connecticut was lower, there may have been no need for a wage hike. The answer is don't spend so much. A concept that each citizen has been forced to understand but seems to have escaped the state government. Remember when the state income tax was going to be a temporary fix to solve a budget shortfall? What happened? Government, and that seems to mean the Democratic State Legislature seems to be addicted to spending. Expenditures are not being scrutinized and budgets just seem to balloon. The legislature needs to get the message that we have had enough of the out of control spending and that the brakes have to be put on. We should have a top down examination of every departments budget to see what waste can be eliminated, and what efforts are duplicated. Only then should the legislature come to the taxpayers for more.


The world oil demand has been larger than the oil supply since the fourth quarter of 2006 by 1 million barrels per day. The Democrats are blaming it on greedy oil companies and speculators in the commodities markets. But the Democratic Congress has missed the point and gone after an industry making an average 8.5% profit. When the demand and supply numbers are out of whack, any change in the supply or even futures speculators can affect the price of gasoline. The Congress should being doing everything they can to increase the supply by approving drilling offshore and moving ahead with oil shale processing rules. Even if the results of these projects are 5 to 10 years out their will be an immediate psychological
affect on the markets and we will need the increased supply in the future. Even though we may conserve, the world demand will increase as China and India can't cut back as that would require dropping subsidies, which neither government will do for fear of losing power.

Both the Democrats in the Connecticut State Legislature and in the Congress have missed the point on both these issues.

The following comment was sent to Sen. Lieberman, Sen. Dodd and Rep. Murphy:

I am writing to request you change your vote on drilling for oil in ANWR and off the coasts. Cuba with the help of China will be drilling 60 miles off the coast of Florida. They will not care if our beaches are contaminated by a spill. If we control the oil in the region, we can ensure drilling techniques that are safe. Increasing output no matter how small is the only way to bridge the gap until alternative energy sources are online. Also the oil companies make an average of 10% profit. Our last refinery was built in 1976. Oil companies are not the cause of high oil prices. Supply is. Telling oil exporting countries to send more is not the answer. We need more drilling. I will be encouraging everyone I know to contact you on this matter until Congress has taken appropriate measures.

Gas Tax increase-revisited

My latest post also appeared in the Waterbury Republican-American in a letter to the editor today. This is the same day the state announced it will not institute the increase of a half-percent on the gross receipts tax. The Governor said she will find the $25 million needed to cut to offset the costs. This is an admirable step but the state government needs to continue cuts.
In an election year, I'm not surprised that they finally saw the error of their ways.
The government needs a bottom up analysis of each departments goals and staffing levels. It would also help if they put out a report card of where the revenue comes from and where it goes with as much specifics as possible. Since 62% of the gas tax goes into the general fund, it is not being spent as originally designed, for transportation. So I get upset when I hear we need increases in a tax for transportation. If they spent the gas tax as intended, people would see a direct benefit from the tax. As it is now, they see 62% wasted.