When I took office at the start of 2009, I was excited
to embark on a new role in public service and take on
the many challenges facing our great state, particularly
the more than $8 billion budget deficit hanging over
the next two fiscal years. However, that hopeful excitement
was dashed to disappointment this week as the legislature
signed off on a budget that fails to deal responsibly
with our economic crisis.
The budget passed by both chambers of the General Assembly
in the early morning hours of September 1st is filled
with a number of damaging new policies. Where we should
be cutting costs, we will spend more – $800 million
more - over the next two fiscal years than we have in
2009. It also increases dozens of different taxes and
fees, drains the Rainy Day Fund and borrows more than
$1 billion to make up the rest.
And the unfortunate reality is that this didn’t
have to happen. For months and months legislative Republicans
have been calling for a balanced budget that cuts spending,
consolidates government agencies and commissions and
provides a blueprint for a leaner, more efficient state
government going forward. Like so many of you, if you
can no longer afford to take a vacation or buy that
TV or car, you don’t. Instead, you cut costs and
hold off on new spending. This budget fails to apply
the same common-sense principle to state government.
And sadly this practice of living beyond our means isn’t
new to Connecticut where our government spending has
outpaced taxpayer income by 64% since 1987.
At the start of this legislative session I was proud
to be appointed to a new commission created specifically
to identify inefficiencies, wasteful spending and potential
solutions within state government. I felt my experience
with this process in local government could lend a unique
perspective to the Commission on Enhancing Agency Outcomes
(CEAO). Unfortunately, the Democratic majority leadership
refused to seriously consider reinventing Connecticut
state government’s operations –the only
real opportunity for this legislature to reduce spending.
Yet the CEAO has not met since April 24th – its
second meeting!
While rhetoric flew all summer long as the Democratic
majority dragged their feet, Connecticut’s economy
suffered. Jobs were lost and businesses closed. Despite
that, supermajority Democrats in this legislature focused
on preserving powerful special interests and expanding
rather than reducing the size and scope of state government.
Instead, the majority chose the path of least resistance,
relying on a one-time infusion of federal stimulus dollars,
irresponsible tax increases and borrowing.
Connecticut is at a crossroads. I am saddened that
Majority Democrats failed to act responsibly to avoid
the potentially catastrophic years ahead. The legislature
had plenty of time to do the responsible thing and trim
the fat in Hartford. The legislature failed. This is
why I am particularly disappointed that Governor Rell
did not veto the bill entirely. While she did vow to
use her line-item veto power to remove the pork-barrel
spending and other new earmarks, it isn’t enough.
Those cuts will only shave $8 million from this massive
budget and I believe we all missed a tremendous opportunity
to reexamine our state spending and put Connecticut
back on the right financial path.
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