Carpino Comments on Governor’s Proposed Budget

To the Editor,

We knew the budget proposal would be difficult. We didn’t know Governor Malloy would try to hold towns that have been smart stewards of taxpayer dollars responsible for the mismanagement of state dollars. Responsible towns like ours – Cromwell and Portland.

“I’m not blaming wealthy towns, it’s not their fault,” said Governor Malloy during his budget address at the State Capitol. And yet, he attempts to shift an unprecedented amount of debt to towns. Without warning, Cromwell and Portland are being told they will have to shoulder the unplanned burden of close to one million dollars every year. Reasonable minds can differ as to whether towns should be contributing to the retirement of their educators, but the element of surprise goes against any attempt at the “We are in this together” mindset we should be employing to address the budget crisis.

Did I mention the Governor also wants to reduce the amount of state funding we get towards education? While I agree that the equation must be examined in light of a recent court decisions, I can’t imagine taking away critical education dollars from hardworking middle class communities like ours.

Here at home, Middlesex Hospital employs hundreds of families in the district, contributes to our community, and provides first-rate medical care to every person that passes through their door. And yet, this budget proposal forces hospitals to face the very real possibility of previously unknown taxes.

There are some positive points of the proposal, some I’ve advocated for myself in the past. It suggests repealing mandates on our towns and cities, increasing funding for special education and to support those with intellectual disabilities, as well as requiring additional funding for the redevelopment of brownfields throughout the state.

However, this document is far from a finished product. The Governor’s budget will be vetted by the General Assembly and the public over the coming months. Agency staff and members of the public will have the chance to comment on funding needs. Then, we will draft and vote on our own biennium budget.

I agree with the Governor’s notion that this is not Cromwell or Portland’s fault, but then his proposal should not view our towns as an untapped piggy bank. Although the final budget will have difficult cuts, I hope that in the end it will be an honest budget with structural changes that will put Connecticut on the road to prosperity.

Always,

Christie Carpino
State Representative, 32nd District