Truth, Fiction, and The Democrat Media-Industrial Complex

 Even through the darkest moments since the brutal assassination of “Turning Point, USA” founder Charlie Kirk, the Good People of Connecticut should thank God every single day that the state-run Media Mob of the state of Connecticut is not the sole source of news. For in this Bermuda Triangle of Misinformation,  down is up, lies are truth, and we are to all worship at the feet of the one party-driven Democrat Connecticut.

This past week, three issues further cement Connecticut as a state unconcerned with its legal Taxpaying citizens and its massive debt issues, or in dealing with the truth in any way whatsoever.

Let us first look at an incredible "agreement" that Governor Ned Lamont made with Connecticut Chief Justice Raheem L. Mullins. Ever since we were grade-school children, we have been taught that the United States  system of jurisprudence is a crowning jewel of a free society where citizens of a free country can have their grievances heard in an impartial and fair manner. But all that changes in the warped wonderworld of Connecticut. We are now told that the court system is to be supported of everyone, including (but not limited to) those who reside illegally within Connecticut borders. 

Connecticut policy now dictates that we now must somehow understand that courthouses "remain safe and accessible to everyone, regardless of immigration status."  Thus, Lamont and Mullins have now decided to create their own "rules" that intend to supersede federal law by "prohibiting federal immigration agents from conducting warrantless arrests in state courthouses and from wearing masks while inside them."  Lamont further stated; "There have been not a lot of incidents, but there have been some instances, of ICE going into our courthouses, wearing masks, taking people out," Lamont told reporters in Hartford. "[It's] very important that people, immigrants, and even undocumented immigrants, feel safe going into our courthouses. In many cases, they're going into our courthouse as a witness to a crime, doing everything for public safety; more broadly, maybe they've been a victim of abuse. Maybe it's something regarding landlord, whatever it is, people should feel safe going into the courthouse." (https://patch.com/connecticut/across-ct/connecticut-bans-warrantless-ice-arrests-masked-agents-state-courthouses)

Therefore, to illegally slow down and/or attempt to eliminate the arrests of illegal immigrants who are in Connecticut, the woe-begotten policy  "requires federal agents such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to obtain a judicial warrant before making an arrest inside a courthouse. It also bars law enforcement from wearing masks while conducting enforcement actions there, unless medically necessary." (Ibid). But of course, this is hypocritically ironic. For now, we are supposed to forget that Ned Lamont and his Democrat Party slammed anyone and everyone if they did not wear their masks for the past five years in their Covid-19 shakedown of the state. Therefore, anyone who lost their job and or business or had their lives ruined during the hostile and draconian Covid-19 shutdowns should be suing the state in these same "safe" and "mask free" courthouses to get their jobs and businesses back. 

The reality is that you are to expect no fairness, clarity, or integrity from anyone in the Democrat-driven Connecticut government, and you are to understand that policies and procedures will be driven entirely by their whims and desires at a given moment. 

Secondly, we really do have Federal Immigration Laws! It is not a myth. The Connecticut state-run Media Mob will lead you to believe that such laws do not exist, or that whatever convoluted and illegal laws (such as the “Trust Act” ) take precedence over Federal law. Or conversely, state legislators from both parties will tell us that their pal State Rep. Corey Paris did not break Federal Immigration Law when he put illegal aliens on “alert” when Federal ICE agents came into his district to arrest them. Unfortunately, 8 U.S.C. § 1324 unambiguously reads to the contrary. However to show he cannot be beat in this category, Lamont overtly conspired this week with state school superintendents (all supported by your tax dollars) to shield illegal students from ICE (https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/hartford/lamont-superintendents-to-meet-on-protecting-students-from-immigration-enforcement/ ) (My friend and colleague Tony De Angelo did a wonderful job of explaining this situation in factual terms on his September 18 THIRTY WITH TONY Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUoewcLhNkc&ab_channel=THIRTYWITHTONY )  . By definition of Federal law every single one of Lamont and the superintendents should be arrested. How that comes down remains to be seen. However, it is quite clear that the political system and the state-run Media Mob of Connecticut will never follow established law if it is inconvenient to their purposes, regardless of if such purposes are legal or ethical.

In addition, Connecticut,which is proud to call itself a “sanctuary state” (while often denying that assertion in its own print  publications),  never discloses how much it costs legal Connecticut Taxpayers to house, give medical benefits, schooling, and other assorted benefits to these illegal immigrants, some who are also criminals in the state.  Why is that? (Shame on you for even asking the question).

But in the Media-Industrial Complex of Connecticut, distortion and obfuscation know no bounds. Once again, we see another embellishment piece published by the CT Mirror regarding darling Finance expert and current Comptroller Democrat Sean Scanlon 

(https://ctmirror.org/2025/09/17/ct-slashes-more-debt-state-worker-health-care/) Scanlon, who never ever fails to postpone a debt payment that he does not like, is once again exhibiting the financial acumen of teenagers by delaying due debts on state obligations, thereby accruing incalculable interest on innocent taxpayers, some not yet born. This is the same Scanlon, being the same person who "won" over Avelo Airlines to have them fly out of Tweed New Haven Airport. This is the same Scanlon who never speaks about the gargantuan long term unfunded liabilities in the state nor is he pressed by any political figures with respect to the same. But of course, Scanlon keeps smiling and of course media accountability is nonexistent. My readers are well-aware of the short- and long-term debt along with the unfunded liabilities of Connecticut. This figure, hovers more than $100,000,000,000 to $150,000,000,000 billion dollars well in excess of the treasured "fiscal guardrails". In practice, it is literally impossible to ascertain as to how much it really is. A recent report by the Connecticut Office of Fiscal Analysis should alarm all legal Connecticut Taxpayers. The report states that for 2024 that there is a shortfall of over $956 million dollars in the state's retirement health trust fund for healthcare eligible state employees. The fund is funded at 16.2% which is apparently a political victory for the Democrats since it was only 10.1% for 2021. I find the costs staggering for the 85,696 retired members, spouses and beneficiaries currently receiving these benefits, considering the overall unfunded retiree health care benefits is over $17 billion dollars. (https://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa/Documents/year/SMF/2026SMF-20250831_Other%20Post%20Employment%20Benefits%20(August%202025).pdf).  But of course, all these concepts are lost to Mr. Scanlon as he smiles for the cameras and faces no hard questions whatsoever as to what is really taking place.

The wretched state of the fisc in Connecticut does not stop there, as bad as that is. The shortfall for the unfunded part of the state pension system (non-health care)  is over $38 billion dollars and is also severely unfunded. The state in just retiree pension and health care costs is in debt for $55 billion dollars. (https://www.truthinaccounting.org/library/doclib/Financial-State-of-the-States-2024.pdf)  This is fiscal leadership by Ned Lamont and his Democrat Party? We are supposed to feel good about this. And what will the SEBAC state employee contract cost Connecticut Taxpayers and how much higher will the state debt become? 

But alas, what does truth matter? The distortion of law and finances are evident in Connecticut and are the results of poor social and fiscal policies enacted by the chronic one-party Democrat rule for many years. The Democrat-driven political system and its attendant Media Mob never offer any solutions but in lieu of that, continually produce made up economic and governance fantasies in a state that continues to spiral out-of-control in so many areas especially with crime and state finances. But reality, incompetence, malfeasance, and obfuscation cannot exist in the same universe. Crime, high taxes, and a lack of transparency are the real Democrat political messages and problems that continue to ignore daily. 

Since the Democrat Media Industrial Complex will not protect you, my very strong admonition is to continually hold these malfeasant souls to a continual reality-based litmus test. Refuse the lies and continually expose falsehoods and demand accountability. It is the only way.

News Flash: Connecticut Has A Bad And Incompetent Government

 Something is very obvious in Connecticut. Connecticut has a bad and incompetent government. Bad in the sense that it no longer represents its constituents. It no longer represents right versus wrong, truth versus lie, and fact versus fiction. It has produced many different incoherent, blabbering pieces of rhetoric to keep up a fictional lie of how well Connecticut is governed by the Connecticut Democrat Party. And the tipping point has been reached for Connecticut Taxpayers who are now seeing through the charade.

Connecticut has had bad government for many years, but ever since the devastation and oppression of the Covid-19 regime, the acceleration from bad to abysmal has become much more acute. Finger pointing has been perfected to an art form in the state by the Democrat Party. But have no fear. The Democrat Party takes no responsibility for the issues that are facing Connecticut in 2025, but of course, it never has.

The Horrors of Bad Government in Connecticut include (but are not limited to),

Excessively high local and state taxes inhibiting economic growth and economic and personal freedoms.

Excessively high insurance costs for auto insurance due to the rampant thefts and hijackings of vehicles, especially by repeat offenders along with the horrific mismanagement of residential crimes and the mishandling of natural disasters.

Excessively prohibitive costs of doing business in the state due to a myriad of complex rules, regulations and laws that increase the costs of doing business in the state and eliminate profitability for small businesses. (And as a tutorial of things to come with respect to the impending and disastrous "bipartisan" mismanagement of Artificial Intelligence for state businesses, please watch my friend Tony De Angelo’ THIRTY WITH TONY show of May 22, 2025, dealing with the horrors of “Senate Bill 2”

THE SHOW STUPID POLITICIAN TRICKS PART 2 THIRTY WITH TONY 5 22 2025 )

THE SHOW STUPID POLITICIAN TRICKS PART 2 THIRTY WITH TONY 5 22 2025

 

A constant illegal drug problem further exaggerated by the legalization and taxation of marijuana, while “psychedelic mushrooms” are moving from the on-deck circle to the batter’s box as the next legal drug of choice.

An irrational and sickening excess of the promotion of the harm and exploitation of children through sex changes, boys playing in girls’ sports, pornographic reading materials in libraries in schools, and the condemnation of parents having responsibility of their children. 

This should sicken everyone in the state.

The state's takeover of local zoning laws and regulations. (Communities be damned).

Fiscal guardrails that are shunned and destroyed by the Democrat Party.

No acknowledgement whatsoever of the 100 to 150 Billion Dollars of short- and long-term liabilities and unfunded liabilities weighing on the state. (Hint: The celebrated and oft-repeated Fiscal Guardrails do not even touch this grievous liability).

The state’s complete lack of transparency in how and why it governs and lack of disclosure of whosoever else may be involved.

A state ethics department that one would compliment to call it a joke.

 The continuing saga of the legal and ethical quagmire of Governor Lamont, the self-deals of the Lamont family, and the highly questionable (and non-transparent) dealings of First Lady Ann Lamont in matters of state government.

A bloated state bureaucracy of excessive and overpaid state employees, state commissioners, state assistant to the assistant employees, state departments, state committees and mythical "nonprofits" that are secret from the public view and whose dealings are intentionally exempted from Freedom of Information, (such as ADVANCE CT where state business policy involving Eversource, Yale, and other big players is engineered under shroud of secrecy, citizen be damned).

This is not the way Connecticut should be governed. This is not the way the Grand Duchy of Fenwick should be governed. This is bad government in action. This is worse than "Lord of the Flies". And what can be done about it? Can the Connecticut Taxpayer trust anyone in their government? Why should they? Maybe it is time to start all over in the state.  Connecticut's problems never go away nor does the constant spending of Connecticut Taxpayers monies resolve anything. The passing of greater laws does not resolve anything but create added benefits for the masses to benefit a privileged few. Connecticut has the same problems year in and year out. All of the excessive laws and excessive taxation just further exaggerates the same old problems.  Nothing changes. Why is that difficult to see in plain sight?

Term limits, spending caps, administrative salary reductions, and an overhaul of state laws/regulations and ethical politicians would be a great start in ending Connecticut's bad government. But in a state that has veered this excessively to the socialist left it is not possible. Or is it? Time will tell as the stale incoherent leftists and their incoherent and incompetent rhetoric fall on the deaf ears of the Connecticut Taxpayers and they start to scream loudly about this mockery masquerading as government.

The Democrat's Open Border Illegal Immigration Crisis Or Liberal Hypocrisy

 Yet another Democrat crisis hits home.  No, it is not the Democrat's illegal drug crisis.  No, it is not the Democrat's education crisis.  No, it is not the Democrat's energy crisis.  No, it is not the Democrat's runaway inflation crisis.  Nor is it the Democrat's supply chain crisis.  This time the Democrat's open border illegal immigration crisis has hit home to the beautiful liberal island of Martha's Vineyard where 50 (count em' 50!) illegal immigrants were sent to by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.  It has been interesting to view and see the reaction by the Democrats that has included immediate condemnation of the Governor for what he did.  Illegal immigrants were also brought to where "Secure Border" Vice President Harris lives in Washington, D.C.  The illegal immigrants in many ways are considered cargo and political tools of the Democrat Party.  We are seeing liberal hypocrisy in action.

I am wondering what Governor DeSantis did that was different than what President Biden did?  First  President Biden proclaimed our country's borders wide open when he took office.  This has created a massive crisis for our country since we now have over 2 million illegal immigrants this year alone to deal with.  President Biden has shipped some of these illegal immigrants through various ways to other parts of the country secretly over the past year.   Arizona, Florida and Texas have taken the brunt end of the crisis and Governors in these states have reached a breaking point.  The unchecked illegal immigration has also brought a new illegal drug crisis since drugs are flowing into our country freely again along with horrific human trafficking issues.  Obviously this does not concern the Democrat Party in their destruction of our country. Democrats want sanctuary cities to show how concerned they are for this type of people.  But when sanctuary cities get these illegal immigrants, the Democrats who run these cities are outraged and demand government help since they are overwhelmed by them.   So what about the states that are really overwhelmed?  Since Republicans run them they don't need any help?  Liberal sanctuary cities seem to be hypocrites in this problem that their Democrat Party created.

In Connecticut, I don't see Governor Lamont taking in any illegal immigrants to his home.  I don't see United States Senators Blumenthal or Murphy taking in any illegal immigrants to their homes.  I don't see United States Representatives Courtney, DeLauro, Hayes, Himes or Larsen taking in any illegal immigrants to their homes.  I don't see State Senator Duff taking in any illegal immigrants to his home.  I don't see Sanctuary City Mayors Bronin, Gamin or Elicker taking in any illegal immigrants to their homes. Why not?  Liberal Connecticut Democrats are hypocrites in this problem that their Democrat Party created.

The other major issue illegal immigrants face is what happens to them? Are they now the new cheap slave labor that the Democrat Party is yearning for to bring the economy back?  Are they being sold into slavery by human traffickers?  Are they being sold into the new illegal drug trade that is overtaking the country?  What is their path for legal citizenship as many of our great grandparents and grandparents went through?  Is it a grand plan for mail order "motor voter"? Is citizenship an option, and why or why not?  Can the United States government keep track and know the whereabouts off all of the illegal immigrants that they allowed into the country since President Biden open our borders?  Where can American Taxpayers find this report if it exists? Why aren't Sanctuary Cities willing and able to take in all of these illegal immigrants?  What were these illegal immigrants told in the first place to make them come here?  That they would be given free food, money, medical care, clothes, housing, transportation, and automatic citizenship?  Who is paying for illegal immigration?  Isn't it the American Taxpayer?   Why is this happening, and what benefit does our country get from this humanitarian crisis of its own making?

What is the solution to yet another incompetent Democrat Party created crisis that is helping to destroy our country?  Could it possibly be a closed United States border and a well researched legal immigration process to become an United States citizen?  And that this program takes in only a limited amount of people each year?  Can any United States Representative and or Senator come up with this legislation and override the horrific and inhumane program that President Biden created?  

In my opinion and many others the Democrat Party has reached a new low with this crisis showing their inability to lead our state and country.  It shows also the true hypocrisy and serial incompetence of the Democrat Party and liberals in general.  These illegal immigrants are the new slaves and pawns of the Democrat Party.  This entire issue was avoidable.  I still don't understand why the Democrat Party hates our country and hides under the guise of being caring and humanitarian.  Because they are not either.  They are all about power.  Power that needs to be given back to the working men and women of our country who have been condemned, faulted and insulted one too many times, by the Democrat Party.  

And it is 1776 all over again.

Connecticut's Constant Corruption

Connecticut's experiment with socialism has failed miserably.  Corruption rules Connecticut.
Our state government and in particular the Connecticut Democrat Party enjoy taking our personal freedoms away along with nurturing their political nepotism, unyielding rule and abuse of power and laws. 
Connecticut continues to be last or near last in many economic and business categories.  This weeks failed socialist news items included Connecticut having the highest administrative costs of our road system in the country at a mere $32,508 per mile.  Our highway system is the 44th worse in the country while spending $200,000 per mile it controls according to a new report issued by the Reason Foundation.  It is always amusing when a report like this comes out our media does not report it nor is there any comment by the Connecticut Democrat Party on it.  It is business as usual for Connecticut's socialism.  The Connecticut Democrat Party want tolls now to apparently spend even more money to take care of the political operatives it has and continuing to provide horrific roads and bridges for Connecticut drivers.  Why are our road costs so high?  Where is the money going?  Why isn't there a forensic audit to find out?  
We also are viewing a massive scandal and misuse of Connecticut Taxpayers monies at the Connecticut Port Authority. Former Board Chairman Deputy Secretary of the State Scott Bates apparently used it as his own bank account hiring a friend for a no show $6500 a month job, hiring other friends and buying a board members daughter artwork for its offices.  Connecticut Taxpayers question must be is why is Bates still the Deputy Secretary of the State in Connecticut?  How is he not abusing that office?  Why should there be any trust now in the Secretary of State's office with a person like this being the Deputy Secretary of the State with no reprimand whatsoever?  It is again amusing when a report like this comes out our media does not report it nor is there any comment by the Connecticut Democrat Party on it.  It is business as usual for Connecticut's socialism. 
Ned Lamont claims transparency in his Administration.  Where is the transparency in these two issues?  Where is the justice?  Why is Connecticut Taxpayers monies wasted in this manner?
Connecticut has $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  It has some of the highest taxes in the country.  And we continue to see issues of corruption literally on a daily basis.
The money that has been wasted on these two issues could go to lowering taxes on Connecticut businesses and residents.  Instead we are force fed the same stale rhetoric.  The lies of the Connecticut Democrat Party are tiring.  We should not be a state with two sets of laws, one for the ruling political elite and one for the Connecticut Taxpayer who must foot this bill for constant corruption.

Connecticut Turnaround? Where?

Where is Connecticut's economic turnaround?
I am curious as I can't see what Governor Lamont sees nor what the Connecticut Democrat Party sees as far as an economic turnaround.
Where is the economic turnaround?
Is it in the higher taxes that will be going into effect on August 1st?
Is it in the banning of plastic shopping bags next year?
Is it in the higher business taxes that will be going into effect this year?
Is it in more businesses moving out of the state?
Is it in Connecticut being last and or near last in most economic and business categories in the country?
Is it in shoving tolls down the throats of Connecticut's drivers while raiding the Transportation fund and leaving our state roads and bridges in disrepair?
Is it in the time of recovery from one recession to another recession that Connecticut can never seem to get out of as compared to the rest of New England?
Is it in the amount of sanctuary cities Connecticut's Taxpayers have to support in the state?
Is it in the $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities the state has?
Is it in the net outflow of legal citizens moving out of Connecticut on a daily basis?
Where is Connecticut's economic turnaround?
Sorry I do not see it.
Governor Lamont is confused and offered nothing to rectify these issues in the unbalanced budget that he signed into law.  We are now in the ninth year of economic failure and counting due to the Connecticut Democrat Party.
We do not have an economic turnaround.  We have a great deal of economic misery instead.

Connecticut's New Tax and Spend Budget

Governor Ned Lamont's first budget was an extension of former Governor Malloy's budgets.
The budget increases spending and increases taxes.
There was not much new in his speech this week other than if includes his proposed toll plan taxes will increase over $2.4 billion dollars, $1 billion dollars in new and increased taxes along with at least $1.4 billion dollars in tolls.  This is on top of the $4 billion dollars plus in new and higher taxes that were enacted during the Malloy regime. 
In the Lamont budget the sales tax will be expanded to virtually anything and everything that one uses including vehicle trade ins (even though you paid sales tax already when you bought it new or used you will also pay when you trade it in), college textbooks, soda, plastic bags that you pack groceries in, and parking just to name a few.
Lamont is also is forcing some towns and cities to pay for a portion of teachers pensions costs.  For example in Wallingford the town loses over $1.8 million dollars in this category.  One will assume that for the towns that will lose money their property taxes will increase to offset this loss of funding.  These same towns and cities have no say in how teachers pensions are either negotiated and or structured. 
Tolls are an impending nightmare for Connecticut Taxpayers.  Now 50 tolling places will be installed throughout the state with congestion pricing impact rush hour traffic.  The costs of living in Connecticut will increase dramatically as the costs of tolls will be passed on to all consumer and business goods and services.  I wonder how our Governor with all of his supposed years of business experience would not think the cost of living would not go up from these tolls?  Also how do any of the studies come up with the actual revenue figures from these tolls?  How much per mile?  There are an excessive amount of questions with regards to tolls that are not being answered by our Governor.
However, Governor Lamont stated he was open to suggestions on the budget.
Here is a partial list of mine:
Cut state spending in the following areas. All newly appointed Commissioners would take a 10% cut in pay from the last Commissioner when appointed.  They would not have pensions.  Cut the non union workforce in these agencies by 5%.  (Most new Commissioners got massive raises from the old ones.)
Eliminate all longevity bonuses for state employees. 
Eliminate all non essential bonding for two years.  This would lower interest costs and improve the state bond ratings.
Privatize several state agencies including the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Connecticut with its new budget remains non business friendly and non taxpayer friendly.  It continues the irrational economic policies of Dan Malloy and enacts new burdens on both businesses and taxpayers  that will result in more economic stagnation for the state and more moves out of the state.  There is little economic logic in what we have been presented in this new yet old Lamont tax and spend budget.
By cutting spending and cutting taxes it would help stimulate Connecticut's dormant economy.  But instead the opposite occurs.  It is what we have come to expect from the Omnipotent Party Rule of the Connecticut Democrat Party.  Tax and spend.  Forever until Connecticut is bankrupt. 

Connecticut Wants To Be A Sanctuary State

Connecticut has thousands upon thousands upon thousands of laws.  They are byzantine in nature. Complex and irrational in many cases, self serving for special interest groups and lobbyists.  If one attempts to read the blue book of Connecticut General Statutes there are a mere 978 Chapters of laws covering basically all aspects of our lives here in the state.  How they are actually enforceable is any one's guess as most of voting and election day laws are a sham in our state and are ignored by the Connecticut Democrat Party as seen by the last two elections?
But currently in our state legislature sponsored by State Representative Geoff Luxenberg (D-Manchester) is designated House Bill 5863: 
"AN ACT ESTABLISHING CONNECTICUT AS A SANCTUARY STATE."
"To establish Connecticut as a sanctuary state where immigrants are protected and able to live, work and pursue happiness without fear."
The bill is somewhat self explanatory.  I will assume since the bill's language is very vague that illegal immigrants will be welcome to come to our state and receive state supported help if needed even though they were not legal citizens of Connecticut in the form of medical insurance, housing assistance, food stamps, etc.  There would somehow be exempted from federal laws as far as their illegal status.  Thus Federal Immigration Laws would be void because of this bill.
My initial question is how many immigrant families has State Representative Luxenberg taken in or supported over the years?  I also wonder where State Representative Luxenberg expects the state to get the money to support these illegal immigrants while it has $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities?
I also wonder why Connecticut has thousands upon thousands upon thousands of laws that take away a great deal of common sense and personal freedom for its legal businesses and legal residents?  Yet with House Bill 5863 you do not have to be a legal citizen to live here and or get benefits from Connecticut.
I see great irony in House Bill 5863 and its place in the 978 Chapters of the Connecticut General Statutes.  Legal citizens of Connecticut should just disregard the laws of the state.  Let chaos reign as related to the torturous Omnipotent One Party Rule of the Connecticut Democrat Party as seen through this bill and many others they are promoting.
House Bill 5863 insults any immigrant who lives in this state and came to our country legally.
House Bill 5863 is an insult to all legal Connecticut residents. 

Connecticut Democrats Love Affair With New And Higher Taxes

The Connecticut Democrat Party has a love affair with new and higher taxes.  In 2019 there seems to be an avalanche of new and higher tax measures being shoved down the throats of Connecticut Taxpayers. 
For instance tolls seem to be the new answer to Connecticut's horrific and non maintained road and bridge system.  The state taxes on fuel that we pay already do little to maintain these brutal roads and bridges.  Tolls like the state income tax is the new answer to all of the state's spending problems.  Unfortunately what the Connecticut Democrat Party is oblivious to is how this will dramatically increase the cost of living in the state.  The cost to transport any goods in and out of the state will go up as the costs of tolls will be passed along by companies to consumers.  The costs to commute to work will go up-will all employers reimburse their employees for these additional costs?  I highly doubt that however I know there will be massive exemptions written in the bill so that elected officials/family members of elected officials, etc. will be exempt from the tolls.  I am also confident that tolls paid (?) will be added to House and Senate members expense accounts and in adding to their pension estimates. 
Another example is a statewide property tax on motor vehicles that rewards the politically corrupted and economically inept cities of our state.  Property taxes on personal vehicles will some how be paid to the state and then those monies redistributed to the towns and cities.  Thus high tax cities such as Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven get rewarded with lower car taxes while low taxed towns such as Wallingford get to pay more.  Also included in this bill is a state wide one mill real estate tax on all property that also will be redistributed to these same cities.  Thus property taxes in Connecticut will increase.  One can conclude also that this one mill rate will go up each year as has the state income tax has gone up over the years as there is never enough revenue to spend in Hartford.
When you go grocery and or regular shopping you will either pay a tax on the plastic bags that you use and get from the store or they will be banned altogether.  This will increase the costs of shopping that have been increased already due to the tolls.  One will have to bring bags that consumers will have to buy in order to pack their groceries. 
There are other taxes being discussed along with new licensing and user fees that are talked about each year also.
The economic reality will be after all these new taxes and fees are enacted by the Connecticut Democrat Party there will no cuts in state spending.  Connecticut will still have $100 billion dollars or more in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  It will not take any actions about the excessive salaries, pensions and benefits that are paid to both state management and union workers.  It is the same stale economic story over and over again, year in and year out.
The Connecticut Democrat Party has a love affair with new and higher taxes.  They hate opposition to new and higher taxes.  Most importantly they love to see Connecticut Taxpayers suffer economically.
The Connecticut Democrat Party enjoys our state being last in all economic categories in the country so long as they can manipulate the state government to their political advantage for themselves, their families and friends.   Really that is all that matters in Connecticut.  And it has been like this since 1991.

Goodbye 2018

Goodbye 2018.
Many former Connecticut Taxpayers said goodbye to Connecticut in 2018.
In 2019 many Connecticut Taxpayers will also say goodbye to Connecticut.
They will move out of state.
In 2019 Connecticut will see probably the same that it has seen since 1991 when the state income tax was enacted.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see higher taxes.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see more budget deficits.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see more state union and state management employees receive raises in their salaries, benefits and pensions.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see more short and long term debt.
Connecticut Taxpayers will see total short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities exceed $100 billion dollars over the next year.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see higher property taxes.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see more businesses moving out of state.
Connecticut Taxpayers will again see less jobs in the state due to the increase to $15 for the minimum wage.
Connecticut Taxpayers will see tolls.
And once again a failed Connecticut Democrat Party liberal economic tax and spend agenda will be forced upon Connecticut Taxpayers with little discussion or transparency or challenge from the Connecticut Republican party.
1991.
2019.
The same story and the same failed results-different years thanks to the Connecticut Democrat Party.
Once again it is time to take back Connecticut. 
It is no different than it was in 1991.
We are still waiting for change.

Connecticut's Lack Of Fairness To Its Remaining Taxpayers

In his last State of the Union address, Governor Dan Malloy embarked upon a typical liberal Connecticut Democrat progressive and utopian vision of tolls everywhere, much higher and new taxes along with the same rhetoric of affordable mandated health care, higher minimum wages along with a much lengthier paid family leave law.  He threw in the usual cuts in municipal aid to "wealthier" towns to give more more money to the Democrat run economically failing cities such as Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven.  The broken down XL Center gets yet more money to prop it open.  He harped on these liberal concepts as part of a "Connecticut Fairness" plan which ties in with the Connecticut Democrat Party plan of a "Values Agenda" (whatever that may be). Not a word was mentioned in his speech about the budget deficits nor the massive amount of short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities the state has in 2018.
Malloy thus has spent both terms as Governor raising taxes and forcing an even more failed liberal agenda upon the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers left in the state.  Does he realize how bad the state's economy is and that we are still yet out of the recession?`
But the question must be asked after listening to this speech is "How is this budget fair to Connecticut Taxpayers?" In my analysis all this new budget does is once again raises taxes, makes driving in Connecticut especially expensive with a seven cent increase in the gas tax tax along with congestion price tolls on all highways and secondary roads in the state and expands taxes elsewhere.  The new budget keeps up social welfare programs for those in the state here illegally along with a much higher minimum wage (which will eliminate more jobs in the state).  Why does "Fairness" apply in this budget only to those who are politically connected such as state labor unions, the ruling political hierarchy and those here in the state illegally?  What happened to "Fairness" to those who are legal citizens of the state and pay an excessive amount of state taxes to live here?  Are they not entitled to any benefits of state government?  And how has this Connecticut Democrat Party liberal agenda worked so far in the state since the Malloy Administration began in 2011?  Haven't we seen an enormous amount of businesses and citizens move out of the state since 2011?  How many tax increases has the state had? Why is the short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities of the state now $60 to $80 billion dollars, a massive increase since 2011?  What is the plan to pay off this debt? 
Fairness does not exist in the Connecticut Democrat Party in 2018.  This budget is a cesspool of higher taxes and failed programs that can only further the economic decline of the state.  It is economic garbage.  Yet this is the liberal agenda that the Connecticut Democrat Party will be running upon throughout the state in the upcoming elections this November.  And this why all Democrats need to be voted out of office on election day from top to bottom.  Dan Malloy's policies have failed completely since 2011.  The Connecticut Democrat Party's policies have failed completely since 2011.   Enough is enough.

Connecticut's Decline In 2018

It is a new year.  Happy New Year to my readers.  It seems for many years now I have seen a gradual decline in Connecticut.  Our state government seems to be working for itself, with a political patronage and spoils system firmly in place.  Elected officials lie and break the law with no repercussions.  We see that no rule of law applies to them.  A constitutional amendment of a legally voted upon state spending cap is ignored then ruled illegal by a Democrat elected official.  Back room deals allow for elected officials to resign and then to be appointed to high paying state jobs with little or no experience for a lifetime.  Both state management and union workers enjoy well above average salaries, benefits and pensions with little oversight.  There are no ramifications when a job is done wrong.  Taxpayers pay for this employment debacle.  Connecticut owes a great deal of money.  It owes between $60 and $80 billion dollars in short and long term debt and unfunded liabilities.  There is no and has never been a plan to pay off this debt.  It is always kicked down the road for future taxpayers to pay off in theory. 
A theme that I have written about for years now is that I do not like government at any level local, state or federal to rip people off especially taxpayers.  Sadly I see numerous articles relating to government corruption and the rip off of local, state and federal taxpayers on a daily basis.  Here in Connecticut this is the path our elected officials in many cities and towns, in Hartford the hub of state government and our pandering and egotistical two United States Senators and five Representatives have taken.  It sickens me.  And I know it sickens many taxpayers here in Connecticut.  Taxpayers are tired of this corruption and daily rip off.  It gives new meaning to a realistic 2018 version of taxation without representation for Connecticut Taxpayers.  Again laws and rules do not pertain any more to our Connecticut elected officials.  Bridgeport Democrat Mayor Joe Ganim is an excellent example of this disregard for any law.
Thus it is a new year.  Can any solutions be found to the issues of Connecticut of 2018?  These issues include a loss of population, a loss of jobs, a crumbling infrastructure, high workers compensation costs, excessively high taxes, high state debt and a corrupt state government.  What is the plan to deal with these problems?
The silence is deafening.  Maybe Connecticut Taxpayers should stop supporting this corruption.  It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018. 








 we as common taxpayers must abide by

Connecticut Democrats Failed Liberalism

Connecticut Democrats experiment with liberalism has failed as we near the end of 2017.  As we have seen for the past seven long years of the Malloy Administration Connecticut's Democrat government can do little to help the state.  Connecticut Democrats experiment with liberalism can not protect its citizens especially those who are most vulnerable in our society as evidence by the recent death of Matthew Tirado who was starved to death while the Department of Children and Families did nothing.  The Department of Children and Families spends $800 million dollars a year of taxpayers monies supposedly protecting children in the state.
Connecticut Democrats experiment with liberalism can not redistribute the wealth of the state since many wealthy citizens and businesses have now moved out of state permanently since Connecticut's tax burden is one of the highest in the country.  Connecticut Democrats have raised taxes in the state on a constant basis since the Malloy Administration took office back in 2010.  Three of the largest tax increases in the history have done nothing to balance the budget nor address the economic nightmare of $70 billion dollars of short and long debt along with the state's unfunded liabilities.  What is the plan to pay back this debt?  Connecticut Democrats experiment with liberalism protects and nurtures a ruling elite class of citizens who comprise the state's union and management work force paying bloated wages, benefits and pensions that can never be cut and or eliminated.  This minority holds economic power over the taxpayer.  Connecticut Democrats experiment with liberalism allows for state union agreements to be secretly negotiated and signed into law without debate.  Connecticut Democrats experiment with liberalism has helped to eliminate many personal freedoms with thousands upon thousands of laws on its books that do little to improve the quality of life in our state.  Connecticut Democrats experiment with liberalism is more worried about illegal immigrants here in the state by creating sanctuary cities rather than its legal taxpaying citizens.
Connecticut Democrats experiment with liberalism has failed badly.  Will 2018 be any different?
Can Connecticut taxpayers survive any more abuse from its liberal government?
It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018.

The Connecticut Jobs Crisis Continues

Connecticut according a recent Connecticut Department of Labor report has now lost over 15,300 jobs since June with its unemployment rate going up to 4.6% which is one of the highest rates in the country.   The state has recovered about 70% of the jobs lost during the recession, while Massachusetts has recovered more than 320%.  All of the other New England states have fully recovered at either a 100% or better rate of recovered jobs except for Connecticut.
An economic consequence of Connecticut's excessively high state and local taxes along with a poor infrastructure, high workers compensation costs, uncontrolled unfunded liabilities and exorbitant short and long state debt is that businesses have moved out of the state thus moving jobs out of state.  Many Connecticut Taxpayers have also moved out of state since jobs are difficult to find here and or they lost their job due their employer moving.  One can look at the amount of jobs lost with Aetna, General Electric and Bristol-Myers Squibb for example either moving or closing operations in the state.    Those remaining businesses must adapt to a much higher cost of doing business and will cut jobs to stay afloat.  A contributing factor to this economic debacle is that our state government has become a dysfunctional mess since it seems that their only concern has developed into protecting state union and management jobs and their limitless high salaries, benefits and pensions.  Private industry again to survive must cut their jobs, salaries, benefits and pensions while state government is not bothered by it but will increase its political patronage jobs at all costs.  Connecticut's state government is layer upon layer of bureaucracy with one department or agency having different guidelines/laws and rules than the other governing the same issue or topic.  Connecticut's state government moves at its own pace with no respect to a reasonable time frame to accomplish anything nor any repercussions if a project or crisis is not finished or addressed in a timely manner.  Just look at our failed road system while we have a busway to nowhere with no riders or DCF.  Connecticut's inflated state union and management jobs and their high salaries, benefits and pensions continue to be the reason for Connecticut's economic debt and jobs crisis.  Our state government response this past year to the budget crisis was to further enhance Connecticut's state unions with a sweetheart deal that extends their recrementitious spoils for yet another ten years at the taxpayers expense.
There are few jobs in Connecticut at this time that pay a high enough salary to maintain living here and paying for Connecticut's high cost of living.  Connecticut has a continuing jobs crisis.  Connecticut is leaderless because its state union and management employees tell Connecticut taxpayers what they can and can not do.  Connecticut state union and management employees are in charge of our state. 
The election of 2018 will be here shortly.  Candidates need to express quickly what their plan is resolve the multiple issues that Connecticut has that include a lack of jobs except for state union and management jobs, excessively high state and local taxes along with a poor infrastructure, high workers compensation costs, uncontrolled unfunded liabilities and exorbitant short and long state debt.  To me they seem only to be concerned with getting Connecticut Taxpayers monies for their matching public financing campaign funds which has done nothing to rectify our spoils system of state elections or make them more fair.
We need some plan to make Connecticut economically viable again.  We need cuts in state union and management jobs and their high salaries, benefits and pensions.  We need real state employee pension reform.  We need real economic reform or Connecticut will be permanently ranked 50 out of 50 states in all business and economic activities in our country.  Doesn't anyone get that?  I doubt it.

 

August 19 and No New Connecticut Budget

  Again we have no new Connecticut budget.  But we know now that Governor Malloy has come to the rescue of his Democrat Party voting blocks in the big cities by taking money away and or eliminating the Education Costs Sharing Grant from 85 cities and towns and giving it to poorer cities and towns in the state.  This grant is money that the state gives to all cities and towns in the state to help pay for some of the mandated state educational programs.  For example Wallingford would lose $19 million dollars in this funding which would have to be made up by raising property taxes almost immediately.  This is due to no new Connecticut budget.
At the same time Republicans for voicing their vehement opposition to Malloy’s plan and by the possible budget proposal by House Speaker Aresimowicz that includes higher sales taxes along with less exemptions and a new city sales tax are being condemned by Connecticut Democrats.   Republicans will not agree to any new tax increases.  One must remember that Connecticut Democrats slammed residents in the past six years the two highest tax increases in the states history that was to supposed to solve all of Connecticut’s economic woes.  It did not and now we are once again at a breaking point with a $5 billion dollar budget deficit along with $60 to $80 billion dollars worth of short and long-term debt and unfunded liabilities. 
Republican budget proposals have been completely ignored by Omnipotent Connecticut Democrat Party this session.  Republicans have been shut out of the budget process for six years now.  And the Connecticut Democrat Party has the audacity to vilify the Republicans? 
The Connecticut Democrat Party obviously has no respect for the Connecticut Taxpayer.  They believe their failed economic policies by choosing winners and losers in our state economy via taxpayer funded corporate welfare payments, along with constant new and higher taxes coupled with an economic love affair of state labor unions doing anything they want and given anything they want will somehow lead Connecticut out of its economic morass.  Do they think Connecticut Taxpayers are that stupid to believe this garbage?
One day Connecticut will have a new budget.  It will be more of the same, higher and new taxes, more spending for state labor unions and more political nepotism.  The Connecticut Democrat Party will be congratulating each other for their latest con job they pulled over the Connecticut Taxpayer.  They will reward themselves with more spoils from their conquests of the Connecticut Taxpayer.
It is sickening to say the least.

August 12 and No New Connecticut Budget

Again we have no new Connecticut budget.  Again we have no new information on any new budget.  Again we have no news on what new taxes will be enacted and or increased.  Again we have no new information as to how the rest of the $5 billion dollar budget deficit will be resolved.  Again we have no information as to any plan to address Connecticut's $60 to $80 billion dollars worth of short and long term debt and unfunded liabilities.  Again we have a sickening lack of leadership from our state government to resolve our economic issues here in Connecticut.
Is this a tipping point for the voters and taxpayers of Connecticut?  Is this lack of budget and leadership actually going to trigger a wholesale change in our state government with a Republican controlled legislature and a new Republican Governor in 2018?  Is this lack of budget a spigot to open up many Democrat legislators to resign and or retire during the coming year?  And then will these same legislators be rewarded with some sort of highly paid do nothing taxpayer funded state job as their reward for their economically incoherent and poorly managed terms in office?
Connecticut has had a serious lack of leadership for many years now.  It is evident that years of Omnipotent Connecticut Democrat Party One Party Rule has damaged the economic core of the state to a point of no return. High taxes, a mass population movement out of the state, a lack of new jobs, and a government only responsive to the needs of its union members and non union management employees for life is owned by the Democrat Party.   They are the economic cancer of Connecticut.
Again we have no new Connecticut budget.
Again we have no leadership in Hartford.
Again more Connecticut residents will be packing their belongings and moving out of state.
Again no economic solutions.
Sickening.

August 5 and No New Connecticut Budget

Not much new here in Connecticut.  A new concession package did little to resolve any of the current issues of salaries, benefits and pensions as the agreement locks in the current excessive union salary, benefits and pensions spoils system until 2027.  I do not understand the point of this secretly negotiated concessions package as it did little to resolve the issues in salaries, benefits and pensions.  All it did was to kick the problem down the road ten years from now or sooner if Connecticut becomes bankrupt.
The budget still has a  $3 billion dollar deficit that the Connecticut Democrat Party wants to resolve with much higher sales taxes and new city sales taxes since they are going to cut municipal aid for state mandated programs, services and teachers pensions.  You will also see massive property tax increases for most cities and towns since these state cuts for mandated programs, services and teachers pensions have to be replaced.  The new city sales tax will be yet another cumbersome tax that remaining state businesses that are impacted by will have to deal with.
And we still do not have a budget.
The entire budgetary process has been a comical display of the Omnipotent Connecticut Democrat Party protecting their spoils and patronage system.  And they have said to the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers that no reforms will be forthcoming for at least ten more years and pay more taxes to support us.
I am personally sick of the Connecticut Democrat Party and its political patronage and spoils system.
I also believe that most of the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers are also sick of the Connecticut Democrat Party and its political patronage and spoils system.
I am also believe that Connecticut is on the path of fiscal insolvency and unlimited short and long term debt.
I also believe that we need to start all over again in creating a new state government and state constitution since our current government disregards the rule of law.
Enough is enough.  The Connecticut Democrat Party and its political patronage and spoils system has ruined Connecticut. 

The Connecticut Democrat Party seems to be at war with the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers left in the state.

 With Traveling Dan Malloy's initial budget proposal of shifting a massive burden of state spending to fiscally responsible towns and cities through the guise of higher property taxes for state teachers pensions along with higher state taxes coupled with the Democrat House and Senate proposals of tolls, shopping bag taxes and higher sales and income taxes the Connecticut Democrat Party seems to be at war with Connecticut Taxpayers.  In my economic opinion the tax and spend proposals developed by the Connecticut Democrat Party are economically illiterate and economically inept.  They show why the Connecticut Democrat Party can not govern effectively any more.
Connecticut's state government has a massive spending problem.  It spends money rampantly to support a ruling political elite that consists of state workers both union and management through excessive salaries, benefits and pensions.  A true spoils system for the politically connected that has helped to ruin our state economically.  Then we hear that the Connecticut Democrat Party blames the Connecticut Republican Party for our economic demise. 
Connecticut continues to rank last in many economic categories and will continue in the future based upon what we are seeing from this current budget session.  There are no cuts in spending.  No mention of real pension reform.  No cuts in salaries or benefits.  No changes to the ruling political elites economic power over Connecticut Taxpayers.
Connecticut has become a horrific example of economic Socialism at its worse.  A total disregard for any type of economic logic nor economic plan to bring the state out of its economic depression.
More of the same is the theme for the Connecticut Democrat Party in 2017.  More spending and more taxes. No reforms.  No law too large or too small to break for the Connecticut Democrat Party in 2017.
Why didn't Dan Malloy's and the Connecticut Democrat Party two highest tax increases in state history solve our economic problems?  The Connecticut Democrat Party seems to be at war with the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers left in the state.  No make that the Connecticut Democrat Party has declared a complete economic war with the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers left in the state.  Their hatred of Connecticut Taxpayers knows no limits. 

It is Time to Take Back Connecticut. Again is it too late?

As I look back at my columns written over the years I see a reoccurring theme.  Connecticut for whatever reason embraces a care free attitude towards laws, spending and political nepotism.  No matter what the year, season, law or economic issue the results seem to be the same.
The results are poor economic decisions that have bankrupted Connecticut.
Higher taxes will solve all of the state's problems.
Yet even more and higher taxes will solve all of the state's problems.
Connecticut has one of the highest levels of taxes in the country.
There is no budget deficit even when there is one.
Pension reform does not exist until supposedly 2032.
Political nepotism and political appointments run amok.
Regionalization will solve our big cities problems by penalizing well run towns and giving their monies to these corrupt big cities.
There continues to be a net migration of population moving out of Connecticut.
There continues to be a net migration of businesses moving out of Connecticut.
Short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities are ignored.
Connecticut ranks near last in the country in all types of business, economic freedom and economic well being categories.
There is no following state laws or Connecticut's Constitution.
A voter passed Constitutional Spending Cap is not Constitutional.
Limits on giving money to the state Democrat Party are ignored and circumvented.
Voters have no legal power to recall any elected state official.
Voters have no legal power to eliminate the taxpayer funded public campaign financing program.
Illegal Immigration is embraced and funded by legal Connecticut Taxpayers monies.
Your body parts will become property of Connecticut when you die to be disposed of as they see fit.
Prisoners who commit violent crimes are released early to be allowed to commit even more violent crimes.
Connecticut needs to start all over again.  It is a political and economic mess that should alarm even the most liberal in the state.  This current legislative session again proves the lack of economic foresight and long term solutions to Connecticut's problems.
The answers to me are simplistic.  Cut spending.  Cut waste and fraud in Connecticut's government.  Cut salaries, benefits and pensions for both management and non management state workers.  Eliminate useless laws and state programs that waste money.  Lower taxes.
It is simple yet complex.  Especially for individuals who feed off of the Connecticut Taxpayer's trough for their personal political and financial gains while these same Connecticut Taxpayers are condemned by these same politcially connected individuals.
It is Time to Take Back Connecticut.  Again is it too late?

Connecticut's Budget. Hurry Up Republicans.

Dan Malloy wants the Connecticut Republicans budget immediately.  ASAP. Pronto.  Malloy in my opinion needs the Connecticut Republicans budget immediately to confide to our biased media how bad it is.  In all probability it will contain real pension reforms, cut spending and will allow for some business tax cuts.   It will be dead on arrival as Malloy has not and never will negotiate a budget with the Connecticut Republicans for the rest of his term.  After much grandstanding and rhetoric Connecticut Taxpayers will be forced to pay more taxes on a state level.  They will be paying more property taxes on a local level.  They will continue to pay for a ruling political elite and a state budget that consists basically of salaries, benefits and pensions.
Financial and fiscal reform is dead on arrival.
Salary reform reform is dead on arrival.
Benefit reform is dead on arrival.
Pension reform is dead on arrival.
Yet Dan Malloy will scream for that Connecticut Republican budget proposal.  He will dismiss it as economic garbage immediately.  He will state that he did the best he could given all the bad things he inherited from previous administrations.  He will state that regionalism is the only way out to prop up the Democrat city voting machines of Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven through the economic penalization of economically efficient towns.  He will state that higher taxes are the only way out to somehow restore economic vitality to the state even though in 2016 no new jobs were created in the state and that taxes have been raised non stop since he has taken office. 
For 2017 Dan Malloy and his Connecticut Democrat Party priorities are basic.  New and higher taxes to continue to support Connecticut state employees both management and non management.  Give legal status and resident benefits to those who are here illegally.  To tax plastic shopping bags and make your body state property when you die.
Connecticut's budget is still a mess.  Compliments of Dan Malloy and the Connecticut Democrat Party.  Hurry up Connecticut Republican budget.  Malloy ran out of time.  More importantly Connecticut Taxpayers have run out of time, money and patience.

Connecticut is a Dysfunctional Mess

Is Connecticut operating in a rational and or logical manner following its state constitution?
Is Connecticut following the set of rules and laws that encompasses its legal system?
Is Connecticut protecting its legal law abiding and taxpaying citizens?
Is Connecticut's Legislature and Governor finding any economic solutions to its short and long term debt of billions upon billions of dollars?
Is Connecticut a dysfunctional mess?
One can argue in a persistent manner that Connecticut is exceptionally dysfunctional.
It is difficult to explain anymore the total lack of economic reasoning of our state government.  From an economics point of view our government's only concern is to protect a political minority elite of bloated salaries, benefits and pensions in both management and union jobs.  The economic costs of sustaining an excessive state workforce continues to drain Connecticut taxpaying citizens.  Each budget for the past seven years of the Malloy regime has produced more and higher taxes, more and higher spending.  Each year we hear the same doomsday draconian cuts to social welfare spending that hurt those most in need in Connecticut while never a word is said about the ruling political minority elite and cutting their excesses.  It is the same Connecticut Democrat lies year in and year out. 
The economic costs of sustaining illegal immigrants continues to drain legal Connecticut taxpaying citizens.  It seems that this Administrations only goal it to give legal rights to those who live in Connecticut illegally.  The hell with Connecticut's legal taxpayers and citizens.
Thus nothing has changed in 2017.  Connecticut is a dysfunctional mess.  Connecticut's Democrat ruling political elite have gained even more control over its citizens and taxpayers in this new economically dysfunctional budget.
As a lifelong Connecticut citizen and taxpayer I am really close to throwing in the towel on this state and its excesses.  Reform?  Lower spending? Lower taxes?  Protection of rights of legal citizens?  No, no, no and more no is what we hear from Connecticut's Democrat ruling political elite.
The dysfunctional economy continues.  I blame Connecticut's Democrat ruling political elite.  They own what used to be a great, free, independent and constitutional state.  They are the political cesspool who rule Connecticut with an iron fist.  And they still can not see how they continue to damage Connecticut.   Cut taxes, cut spending, cut salary, benefit and pension bloat.  Those suggestions are only laughed at by Connecticut's Democrat ruling political elite.