Buckbee Comments on State Status

To the Editor,

The largest issue now is clearly the budget and is taking the majority of our time and effort.

“I’m not blaming wealthy towns, it’s not their fault,” said Governor Malloy during his budget address. Yet, he attempts to shift an unprecedented amount of debt to fiscally responsible cities and towns across the state. New Milford has worked hard to maintain its high bond rating, but without warning, our town’s Education Cost Sharing funding, Town Aid for road repairs and municipal projects are in danger of being zeroed out.

Further, the governor wants to bill New Milford over $6 million, to be paid to the state over the next two years, to fund the teachers’ retirement pension fund. Historically, this funding has never come from the municipalities.

This proposal is unacceptable to the legislature, and more importantly for us, the citizens of New Milford. When I ran for office, I promised you that’d I’d fight for our town and accept all input as your representation. Here is where we are so far.

Right now, the Appropriations Committee is reviewing each part of the budget as it relates to our various state agencies. After this review, the committee will produce its own document that will be considered by the entire legislature. The committee is made up of legislators from both sides of the aisle, and this does not feel to be a “Republicans vs. Democrats” type of discussion. This new budget really targets the towns to help the bigger cities, however many members from the suburban towns are fighting against this redistribution policy, as they should.

We can achieve savings, while preserving core services of state government. For example, I support the reduction of the state’s annual bonding levels. Further, there must also be the prioritization of spending as a result of this reduction. Additionally, all new state employees should be placed on a defined contribution plan as opposed to a defined benefit. This would relieve the State of Connecticut of pension debt, which is a major factor in the out-year deficit projections.

Long-term structural changes are imperative going forward. I am hopeful, and confident that my legislative colleagues on the other side of the aisle will stand up to the governor and his nearsighted budget proposal, and craft a document that holds our municipalities harmless and provides a pathway to prosperity.

I am in Hartford every week, working on bills and legislation to better our community and looking to repair the fiscal issues we face. If you need me, call me. E-mail me at Bill.Buckbee@housegop.ct.gov. Stop me on the street or at a high school game. I am making every single attempt to be your voice, so don’t ever be shy in speaking up for OUR town and OUR state.

Sincerely,

Bill Buckbee
State Representative, 67th District