Editorial by State Rep. Chris Perone
April 24, 2007
There has been a lot said of the Democratic-proposed budget in the brief weeks since it has been announced. Republicans in Fairfield County have jumped all over the proposal, calling Democrats every dirty name in the book. We’ve been told that we need to, “stand up for the citizens of Fairfield Country - for a change.”
This criticism is shortsighted, misguided and flat out incorrect.
The Democratic budget doubles the property tax credit on income taxes from $500 to $1000. With tax returns expected later this month, how much nicer would it have been to take $500 credit on your state tax form, and double it? Contrast this with Governor Rell’s nonsensical proposals of extravagant education spending, caps and car assessments and it becomes clear who has the best interests of the state in mind.
And who are the ones not standing up for Fairfield County?
Governor Rell has taken a simple-minded approach to this year’s budget. She has decided the better gamble is to raise your taxes and pretend it all goes to education, but really give towns a blank check, not guaranteeing her “education funding” will be spent on education. The Governor has also simply chosen to leave other pressing issues such as energy concerns unsolved.
Under the Democratic leadership, municipalities will be provided with an increased commitment to education. The city of Stamford will receive an increase of $2.4 million - a change of 16.9 percent above and over what the city received last year. Additionally, my town of Norwalk will also see an increase of close to $800,000 - a change of 5.9 percent from the previous year.
The Democratic budget also takes into account our growing energy concerns. In addition to creating new incentive programs for the biodiesel industry, the budget allocates funding for the clean up of our diesel school buses. The budget will also provide a sales tax exemption of all Energy Star approved products, such as windows.
Once again, who’s really not standing up for Fairfield County?
The Governor and her Republican colleagues are have launched attacks on the Democratic budget, without offering a valid alternative of their own. When the Governor proposed her tax hike, it was the Democrats in the House and Senate that spoke out against it first and loudest. Our budget improves property tax credit on income taxes, helps fund our schools, and makes strides to alleviate our energy concerns.
Standing up for Fairfield County means standing up for all citizens in Fairfield County. It means including everyone in our success. The paradox of our region is that while we have many families earning north of $150,000, we have a large portion earning less than $30,000. I agree that the purchasing power of a dollar in Fairfield County is less than what it is in, say, Tolland. And I would like to see the progressive tax started at $200,000 rather than $150,000. I have made this point over and over again. And I will continue to fight for a fair income tax for all of our citizens from every walk of life in every economic bracket.
Now that’s standing up for Fairfield County.
Chris Perone is the Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee in the Connecticut General Assembly.
