Connecticut’s Transformation In Hartford

I hope everyone is shoveled out and doing well after our latest snow storm.  The public works employees, police and volunteer fire departments did another outstanding job responding to this crisis.  It was moving to see members of our community pull together to help each other out of this difficult situation.  On a personal level, I experienced a tough challenge with this storm from having to fight the elements to lower the air structure at the Connecticut Sportsplex, taking two days to return home after the storm, then having to dig out the business and get it running again before the next storm. Through it all, so many members of this community provided support and assistance. It wasn’t surprising, but was so appreciated. It could just be me, but I believe that Hartford has changed from these trying events that shook Connecticut over the past 18 months ranging from the violence in Newtown to the series of storms that have ravaged the coast.  We have been humbled and humanized, and legislators seem dedicated to working together for the common good.  It’s not to say that partisan politics are gone and our differences are forgotten; but, most of us seem to be listening a little bit better and are approaching discussions with a different perspective. I know I am. Connecticut now faces another difficult challenge- crafting a two-year budget.  Governor Malloy’s budget proposal recommends some dramatic changes to agencies and programs.  Some proposals I like and some I don’t.  I recognize that if there is a bad cut in his budget or an unworkable tax increase, those recommendations need to be replaced with something. There is no cushion to absorb an eliminated cut. Regardless of how you may feel about any item proposed in his budget, I believe there is a fundamental theme that needs to be addressed, namely the over-reliance on bonding.  Under this budget proposal, municipalities get the same amount of money as they received in the previous year; however, the revenue stream has shifted. Two years ago, town grants came entirely from general fund revenue, such as income taxes and “casino” money.  In this latest proposal, I believe all town grants now would be bonded.  This policy change is a fundamental shift that needs exploring.  Just because towns are held harmless, does not mean we should stamp the proposal and move on. We cannot begin putting any more of our government programs on our credit card. This week the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee has its first public dialogue with the Governor’s budget secretary and I think we all look forward to an open and transparent dialogue to begin crafting a sustainable budget for Connecticut.  I hope the public sees a more collaborative tone reported out of Hartford during this process because I can certainly feel it.