Saturday, June 24, 2017

Connecticut's Spending Problem

In 1991 Connecticut's Omnipotent Governor Lowell P. Weicker lied to Connecticut voters and force fed a state income tax on Connecticut Taxpayers to close at that time a $1.5 billion deficit based on a $7.5 billion biannual state budget.  At that time Connecticut's population was approximately 3,301,000 people.
In 2017 Connecticut's Omnipotent Governor Dan Malloy lied to Connecticut voters and force fed two of the largest tax increases on Connecticut Taxpayers over the past six years to close multiple budget deficits.  He also stated in his last reelection bid there was no deficit.  In 2017 we have a $5 billion deficit based on a $40 billion biannual state budget.  At this time Connecticut's population is approximately 3,591,000 people, a gain of roughly 290,000 in 26 years.  Today Connecticut continues to lose population as one of the few states in the country in this situation with 19,581 residents moving out since 2013. 
If one does the math Connecticut state spending has increased by $32.5 billion dollars since the enactment of the state income tax or roughly 435% in spending.  Connecticut's population increase in the same time frame is less than 1%.  Connecticut now has in 2017 short and long term unfunded liabilities along with short and long term debt of $80 to $100 billion dollars with no plan whatsoever to pay this off.
One can argue clearly Connecticut's government and its politicians have a massive and uncontrollable spending problem.  One can argue that Connecticut's government and its politicians control a vast empire of preferred and above market equilibrium salaries, benefits and pensions for both state management and state union workers.  This is the largest increase in state budget spending over the past 26 years fueled by unrealistic and unsustainable salaries, benefits and pensions for both state management and state union workers.  Yet in 2017 we hear no mention in cuts for salaries, benefits and pensions for state management workers, for example full pensions for state judges after five years of work. 
Thus when will cuts in spending for salaries, benefits and pensions for both state management and state union workers take place?  Why and on what does Connecticut's government and its politicians spend an additional 435% since 1991?  The infrastructure of Connecticut has declined dramatically since 1991.  Looking at the DMV for example we see a massive decline in service with enormous waits for basic services and screwed up registrations.  Travelers in the state are not even afforded the use of an indoor bathroom when stopping at our rest stops after 3:30pm.  I wonder if the state capitol workers use portalets when the state legislature is in session to save money?
2017 is once again a turning point for Connecticut.  We hear the same rhetoric from the Connecticut Democrat Party, more spending and more taxes.  No solutions.  Tax the rich will solve all of the state's problem until all of the "rich" move out of state.
Connecticut Taxpayers represent the serfs in the serfdom known as Connecticut again in 2017.  We support the excesses of Connecticut's state government ruling elite.  It has to stop now.  But can it?  It has become boring to watch the total disregard that Connecticut's elected officials have for Connecticut Taxpayers.

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