The Wrong Medicine?

In  The Wrong Medicine, Hartford Courant editors oppose  Governor Rell’s proposal for  a state mandate 4% cap on local property tax increases. The cap proposal itself has increased ½ percent since the Governor first proposed the mandate in 2007 as a 3 ½ percent limit.  The Courant pointed out that after passage of Proposition 2 ½  in Massachusetts, several communities closed schools, libraries, and firehouses.

One would think that with such draconian tax measures the Courant would list specific cites or towns where these closures happened, and the devastation caused rather than a blanket statement devoid of facts.  As a former resident of the Bay State, I remember when Prop 2 ½ passed way back in 1980, and was implemented in fiscal 1982.  After nearly 16 years, how has our neighbor to the north still managed to educate children, maintain roads, put out fires, and arrest felons with only a paltry 2 ½ property tax increase each year? The answer is that a fixed property tax increase each year requires towns and cities to work within a budget, just like the typical taxpayer.  Personally, I would like to spend ten percent more this year than last, however if my annual salary goes up only two percent than I cannot.   What if I take that dream vacation I always wanted but can’t afford and balance my budget by holding back on my tax payments, I’m sure I’ll get a visit from a sheriff with a tax lien. If taxpayers are forced to operate within a budget, why can’t Connecticut’s cities and towns?  Because doing so requires asking hard questions about what is an essential service, and what can be cut. Not every town service is essential.  Unless or until our cities and towns are forced to live within budget restraints Connecticut will continue to experience job losses and population decline. Governor Rell is right, and the Courant is wrong.  If we don’t take positive steps to reel in property taxes they’ll be no one left in Connecticut. The time is now to implement budget constraints before there’s no one left to tax, remember, whoever is the last to leave the Nutmeg state please turn out the light because it’s “One thing you can do.”