Yep, now its official, Connecticut is in a budget deficit. Of course, if they had acknowledged factoring unfunded pension liabilities all along, Connecticut has been operating with a budget deficit for years. But details are something Hartford’s government flunkies don’t do all that well. The local impact of the red state phenom below:
The rapidly changing budget landscape has left many local lawmakers frustrated.
State Rep. Christopher Perone, D-Norwalk, had been pushing for the elimination of the annual $250 business entity tax to give small firms a break in a tough economy.
“It doesn’t look good for that,” he said.
The deficit also jeopardizes the Stamford delegation’s efforts to obtain additional money for the struggling Stamford Center for the Arts.
Area lawmakers and mayors also had hoped the General Assembly would find additional money to fully fund payments in lieu of taxes for state-owned properties, schools and hospitals.
Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, a Democrat, traveled to the Capitol yesterday to persuade legislative leaders to find the money in the budget.
“Our message was we’re in a lot of pain on our own,” said Finch, whose current budget proposal raises property taxes 9 percent. “Don’t try to keep seven special interest groups happy. . . . The most important thing is making sure your cities don’t have financial stress.”
Rell told reporters she understands the mayor’s complaints and she is fighting the same battle with the federal government over cuts in state aid.
Democrats and Republicans yesterday said they are at least trying to find a way to restore $19.7 million in reading grants for 16 cites and towns, including Stamford and Norwalk.
Lawmakers had cut the money last year because they were concerned it was being wasted on ineffective programs.
Legislators this session proposed spending an additional $500,000 for monitors and audit programs.
“That’s the frustration,” said state Rep. Carlo Leone, D-Stamford. “You get agreements. It’s in (the budget). Now all of that is suspect. To do all that work - it’s just very frustrating.”
source: Advocate, Rell: Connecticut is in the red, By Brian Lockhart, May 1, 2008
