Malloy and the Arts
For some reason, I thought that Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy was supposed to be the more conservative of the two dems running for Governor. And maybe he is, but apparently he wants to spend $10,000,000 (Newsday) annually on the arts... funding it through increased hotel tax revenue (which will be driven by an increase in hotel rooms, not thru an increase in the tax rate).
This is a nice idea, but what I hear from people is that CT's cost of living and taxes are too high. As well, I hear from people who are concerned about energy and healthcare. And I'm not sure how this would address any of those concerns. On top of all that, transportation is a concern to many. And I think if we're filling (an estimated) 4,900 hotel rooms every day, then eastern CT may need that money spent on improved transportation rather than the arts.
Tim White
State Representative candidate
Bethany, Cheshire & Prospect
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
6 comments:
If you believe the taxes in CT are too high, which I agree with, what do you propose to do to decrease taxes and make it easier to live in Connecticut?
1) reform state mandates that are unfunded, underfunded or simply restrictive in nature, such as the binding arbitration rules that govern Teachers' Unions contract negotiations.
2) energy conservation
3) avoid new spending, such as this arts program.
I may very well have more ideas already on this blog, but I have to run off to a meeting right now.
and thanks for asking. I appreciate your concern.
This seems like a very ambitious plan. How do you propose to implement your ideas? It seems most legislators don't want to change binding arbitration. Energy conservation is obviously important but the state would have to spend a lot of money up front. Further more, what about traffic, education (which is going down hill in the cities), and the fact that CT is far too dependent on property taxes. Do you have a plan for all that?
anon 9:57am...
Binding arbitration - I agree, but that wouldn't stop me from publicly pushing for reform.
Energy conservation - Cheshire was offered $850k for artificial turf. How about spending that money on energy conservation projects? To me, the issue is simple... do a return on investment analysis. If the return on investment is good (say 3-5 years), then you spend the money.
Traffic - I spent four of the past six years commuting to Stamford. I know traffic, particularly in Fairfield County, is a concern. I would be open-minded and listen.
Education - I'd try to motivate teachers by fulling funding the pension plan. As well, I'd consider changing the pension plan. My intent would be to encourage teachers to retire when they no longer wanted to teach. However, with the current pension plan, I believe some (not all) teachers stay for the 37 years for the pension, not to teach kids. That's unfortunate. And I think it hurts the kids. I'd also like to allow towns the option of making Boards of Ed their own taxing authority. By making Boards accountable for raising taxes, they may be more willing to cut the fluff out of the budget.
Property Tax Reform - Allow towns the option of a municipal income tax or sales tax. Both would link taxes to one's ability to pay. And the sales tax (think in terms of the argument for the national sales tax) would provide people with the ability to avoid the tax altogether. (I realize that a sales tax can be regressive, but CTs is not. With exemptions on food and relatively inexpensive clothing, it's not regressive.)
For a bit more on this, see some of my older posts on the fluff and Property Tax Reform and BOE taxing authority
I've been talking about these things for a while, but only started my blog in January... so may not have much of a paper trail beyond that. Check out more of my blog though for other ideas I have.
anon 9:57am... btw, feel free to give me a call me if you're interested in hearing more.
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