Op ED: Preserving Your Municipal Aid

To the Editor,

It was with grave concern that I write to you about a recent conversation I had with Connecticut’s Chief Budget Officer, Secretary Benjamin Barnes. On Friday morning, it came to my attention that a large $20 million shortfall of municipal aid had not been rectified, despite the number of deficit mitigation sessions that were held.

At the most recent Appropriations Committee Public Hearing I asked Sec. Barnes what his plan was to mitigate that large of a number. Mr. Barnes’ response was nothing short of disturbing as he noted that there is an idea for the money to come from grant allocations, which will magically appear between the months of January and April. This leaves our municipalities in a state of limbo.

Some cities and towns might get their state dollars – others may not. For many municipalities, this is simply too late in the fiscal year to budget for the state’s deficiency.

In defending the cut, Sec. Barnes mentioned that revenues being collected are not in line with the “conservative” estimates the Office of Policy and Management had previously budgeted from. I am afraid Sec. Barnes has been ignoring the declining revenue trend, which has held constant over the past five years.

This gross negligence is taking a negative impact on the tight budgets of our cities and towns. In light of the fact the state is now facing a $1.3 billion deficit, I am highly doubtful the state will fulfill its promise and pay what is owed to our municipalities.

This is a prime example of how the instability of the state’s budget is causing Connecticut residents to lose faith in the ability of their state government. I have advocated for long-term structural changes that will hold our municipalities harmless from further financial strain. When more information is provided, hopefully prior to January, I will be sure to report on the status of your municipal aid.

Jay Case
State Representative, 63rd District

**For video of the exchange please follow this link**

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