Can Connecticut's Economy Be Repaired?

Can Connecticut's economy be repaired?
Is there any hope for Connecticut's economy?
What can be done to make Connecticut a vibrant economy again?
Depending on what point of view you take Connecticut is a vast economic wasteland or it is one of the most prosperous socialist economies in the country.
If you are a Democrat your non stop command economy demands and laws have help to create a socialists dream of gun control, an excessive minimum wage, high taxes, a taking away of personal freedoms along with rampant illegal immigration with a more than generous welfare system.  The legal system does not pertain to you or your party.  Laws are meant to be broken.  Political nepotism rules.
If you are a Republican you are thinking about moving out of state as fast as you can.  You are supposedly always in the minority and have no voice or say in state government.  The state economy remains near last or last in all economic development, job creation and business development categories.  The state media is a feeding system for the Democrat Party thus their non objective reporting on all economic issues.
There is not really much being offered to change Connecticut's economy.  Connecticut's legal Taxpayers and businesses realize they work only to support a bloated state government whose only concern is state management and union employees salaries, benefits and pensions.  They also realize there is little they can do to address Connecticut's growing $100 billion dollars plus short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities since the Democrat Party could care less about it.  They also realize they have literally become indentured servants to Connecticut's state government.
Thus what can be done?
At this point literally nothing unless there is balance in state government.  The Connecticut Democrat Party has been in control of the state house for 40 plus years and an almost equal time for the state senate.  It is their political rule that has brought the state to its economic knees.  It has been their corruption and pay to play schemes that have disrupted our economy and forced its citizens to leave.
Cut spending, cut taxes, we all know it falls on deaf ears.  But it is what is necessary to get Connecticut to become a free economic system once again.  Think about it if you dare to.

Connecticut's State Pension Crisis

Hidden in the economic debacle created by the Connecticut Democrat Party is the ongoing state pension crisis.  According to a new report released by the American Legislative Exchange Council Connecticut is dead last in total ratio pension funding in the country coming in at 20.28% of the money needed to fund the pensions, thus being underfunded by 80%. The unfunded pension liability amounts to $32,805 per person in the state and 45.13% of Connecticut’s gross state product according to this report.
Connecticut assigns a very high rate of return of 6.9% to its State Employee Retirement System and an even higher 8% rate of return for its Teachers Retirement System.  Both funds do not achieve this rate of return as far as I can research.  With limited information to review I see that the Teachers Retirement System is seriously underfunded and their rate of return is also seriously understated.  Therefore both funds are underfunded by $70 billion dollars.  This debt will only grow in the future and is a massive part of the states yearly budget in costs.  I estimate in the near future that due to the borrowing for these pensions along with the actual annual contributions the state makes to them and the pension payouts themselves, 20% or more of the state budget will account for employee pension costs.
Governor Lamont's solution like former Governor Malloy's solution is to push payments down the roads years from now and continue to estimate the same rates of return on the pension funds. Thus future generations will be bankrupted trying to pay for these pensions for a small minority of the workers of the state.
This current pension crisis should have been addressed in this legislative session.  Obviously it was not.  Where is the money going to come from in the future?  How is this sustainable?  What is coming next a new tax to pay for the state teacher and employee pensions? 
Pushing payments years from now to pay for the funds just exaggerates the issue.  Realistic rates of return along with self funding pensions should be immediately enacted.  Negotiations need to be implemented to restructure pensions to stop these massive costs from bankrupting Connecticut.  I think many legal citizens and legal taxpayers of the state are fed up with these ridiculous salaries, pensions and benefits that paid out yearly to suffice a ruling political elite of the state.
It is time to address Connecticut's state pension crisis today.

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.

243 Years of Freedom July 4, 1776 - July 4, 2019

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated  Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Connecticut's New Unbalanced Budget

Connecticut has a new budget that is unbalanced.  The smoke and mirrors of the budget afforded the usual political patronage pay outs and once again disrespected and insulted the legal Connecticut Taxpayers of the state.
In homage to the ruling political ruling class was the usual sneaking in of the following:
$46 million dollars in new wage increases to state employees.
An addition $2 million dollars in raises to Legislative staff members.
An impossible real time sales tax to paid immediately by Connecticut businesses to the Department of Revenue.
A new mansion and exit tax for those leaving the state.
New taxes on dry cleaning, a new 1% additional restaurant tax and sales tax on many other services.
Budget revenue being stated in the non existent $450 million dollars in state union employee contract savings.  There has been no agreement to these give backs but yet were included as revenue in the new budget.
Estimated growth in tax revenues over 5% in the budget when they is no indication this will be forthcoming given the poor economic climate of Connecticut.
A raid of the special Transportation budget  to de-fund it.
And the entire budget was a given a whole 24 hours to be voted on.  Over $44 billion dollars worth  of spending to be read and analyzed in 24 hours to decide the economic conditions for Connecticut for the next two years.  In 24 hours.
The Connecticut Democrat Party budget once again makes a mockery of the state budget process and is hostile and unfair to legal Connecticut Taxpayers.  It is an insult to our economic intelligence.
Sickening is another good word for this budget.
In a few months with a battle to ram tolls down our throats we will be hearing the familiar cry of lower than expected tax revenues along with a rapidly approaching $1 billion dollars budget deficit thus taxes will need to go up as fast as possible to cover this new deficit. 
And the $100 billion dollars plus in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities will continue to grow along with the unrelenting increases in state employee union and management salaries, benefits and pensions for 2019-20. 
The economic crisis continues unabated here in Connecticut thanks to our economically irrational and illiterate Governor Lamont and the Omnipotent Connecticut Democrat Party.
The legal Connecticut Taxpayer is damned.

No Tolls For Connecticut

There should be no tolls in Connecticut.
The different costly studies and economically irrational plans have not stated how these tolls will  relieve congestion on our highways nor work to repair and fix the decaying highway and bridge system in Connecticut.  The toll plan is a fools dream, a commuters nightmare, an economic shock due to the higher costs of living in Connecticut that would be created from it and another economic insult to legal Connecticut Taxpayers.
There are many questions unanswered with the push for tolls.
These include the following:
How much will it actually cost to build these tolls?
How many tolls will there actually be?  This number changes on a daily basis.
How much will the tolls actually cost and what is the theoretical discount for Connecticut drivers since supposedly our state highways have at all times 40% out of state drivers traveling on them?
What are the costs to actually run the toll program?
How much revenue will actually be brought in from the tolls?
What happens if revenues are low for the tolls?  How much do the tolls go up to per mile?
Where does the money from tolls go to?  Trains?  State employee salaries, benefits and pensions?  Will any money actually go to repair the crumbling state road and bridge system? (I personally doubt it)
Why has the Special Transportation Fund been drained each year since it was implemented?  This years budget was no different.
Tolls will do the following:
Increase the costs of living in Connecticut as the costs of tolls will be passed on to all goods and services being offered, sold and delivered in the state.
Increase the costs of driving in Connecticut.
Create a new union bureaucracy with even more political patronage jobs with high salaries, benefits and pensions to run this program.
Toll monies will naturally be diverted from the repair of the crumbling state road and bridge system and be lumped into the general fund.
State jobs will open up mysteriously for all Democrat State Representatives and Senators who lose their election bids for voting for tolls in 2020 growing the states massive management and union payrolls which will further expand the state pension crisis.
Connecticut can ill afford tolls on top of the massive taxes Connecticut taxpayers must pay to work, operate a business and live in the state.
It is a bad economic idea that is being shoved down the throats of legal Connecticut Taxpayers. 
No Tolls for Connecticut.  It will make Connecticut dead last in all economic categories in our country.  It is a horrific plan.  End it today.

What's Another $460,000,000.00 For Connecticut Taxpayers?

What is $460,000,000.00 for Connecticut Taxpayers?  In the excesses of a $43,200,000,000.00 bloated new Connecticut state budget that is filled with political fat and nepotism not much.
For the $460,000,000.00 is the "supposed savings" that has yet to have been agreed upon by the state labor unions but yet has been included as a line item in the budget.
Therefore the state budget is already out of balance because we as Connecticut taxpayers know there will never be any state labor savings anywhere near approaching $460,000,000.00.  And Connecticut Taxpayers will hear the familiar story in a few months that the budget is out-of-balance, we need higher taxes and to cut services for those who truly need it like the elderly and our special needs citizens of the state.  The pork will never be cut to balance the budget as that gravy train of political nepotism and patronage is the hallmark of the Connecticut Democrat Party. 
As an economist and a Connecticut Taxpayer how is it legal to create a budget that includes $460,000,000.00 of savings that has not even been accepted yet?  What is being cut to achieve this $460,000,000.00 of savings?  Over what time frame does this $460,000,000.00 take place in is it one month?  A year?  Twenty years? 
As a reminder to Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Democrat Party, Connecticut has a $100,000,000,000.00 short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  This is a massive debt that has not been nor seems ever to be addressed by the Connecticut Democrat Party.  What is the plan to pay this off? 
The new state budget is out of balance.  It is a financial time bomb waiting to happen.  There never is thoughts of cutting spending or lowering taxes when budget time comes.
And the State Legislature has less than 24 hours to read and vote on the budget.  This is not fair to the Connecticut Taxpayers.  It is a sickening excess of political bias against the Connecticut Taxpayer.  it seems that the Connecticut Democrat Party despises the legal Connecticut Taxpayer.
Why? 

Want To Save $100,000. Move Out Of Connecticut.

There are many ways to save money.  One way for Connecticut Taxpayers to save money is by moving out of state.
Young couples starting out can save a great deal of money by moving out of state. 
For example a young couple buying a $250,000 house in Connecticut depending on which town it is in will pay anywhere from $4500 to $7500 in property taxes along with $400 to $800 in property taxes on their cars.  If they bought that same house in South Carolina, Florida or Tennessee their property taxes would be from $1000 to $2000 and depending on the state no property taxes on their cars.  Florida has no state income tax thus the couple would save an additional $6000 to $10,000 a year depending on their income levels.  Thus in a ten year period or less a young couple by moving out of Connecticut can save $100,000 or more depending on which state they move to.  In a 30 year time frame the couple has potential savings of $300,000 or more by moving out.
A couple retiring may move out of state also to save money.  There is little financial incentive to stay in Connecticut since retirees will be paying the same amount of property taxes as if you were working along with state income taxes on your pensions (if you have one) and social security.  The savings on your property taxes alone by moving out of the state could be $100,000 in a ten year or less time period also.
As much as the current state budget which again raises taxes on many items and income is painted as yet another cure all for Connecticut's government spending and nepotism problems it is creating more and more examples of what I have just stated to occur.  More and more people will move out of Connecticut to save money.  Connecticut continues to have a net migration out of the state that will only accelerate with this current Taxpayer be damned budget that was passed.  The current Connecticut tax system is an entrapment that has created a serfdom in the state.  We as Taxpayers are serfs in the political serfdom that has been created to benefit those in political power.  Connecticut Taxpayers work for our state government to maintain its excesses.
Governor Lamont seems to be following in the Weicker and Malloy footsteps of lying to get elected and raise spending and taxes.  He is a political puppet of the Connecticut Democrat Party especially its economically irrational progressive wing.
If you want to save money and have a better quality of life move out of Connecticut.  I know many who have and will do in the future.  it is obvious that our state government is only concerned about their ruling class not its legal working citizens.

What Connecticut Taxpayers Must Deal With Now

Connecticut Taxpayers have woken up this morning to face another new chilling economic reality thanks to the brutal and omnipotent one party rule of the Connecticut Democrat Party.
They are going to be paying much, much higher taxes.
Connecticut Taxpayers will now be paying a 10 cent per bag tax on plastic bags when shopping.
Connecticut Taxpayers will now be paying a .05% payroll tax for paid medical and family leave even though they may never use it.
Connecticut Taxpayers will now be paying sales taxes on all sorts of services and goods that were previously tax exempt.
Connecticut Taxpayers who own pass through entity companies will now be paying a new massive tax on their earnings.
Connecticut Taxpayers will now be paying for much higher salaries and benefits for state workers.
Connecticut Taxpayers will now be paying to house, feed and give state benefits to illegal immigrants in the state as a sanctuary state law goes forward.
Connecticut Taxpayers who have businesses will be forced to pay a $15 minimum wage which will drive up the cost of living in Connecticut, eliminate profits and reduce entry level jobs.
Connecticut Taxpayers will possibly now be paying tolls in the near future as they get rammed down their throats by the Connecticut Democrat Party.
The Connecticut Democrat Party offered no cuts in any spending in this budget.
The Connecticut Democrat Party offered no solutions to the $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.
The Connecticut Democrat Party offered to push down the road the funding of their high cost mandated teachers pensions to 2033 with massive negative economic implications for future Connecticut Taxpayers.
The Connecticut Democrat Party once again did not allow meaningful budget negotiations with the Connecticut Republican Party.
And once again most of the legislature did not and will not be able to read the actual budget before voting on it next week.  Nor will any Connecticut Taxpayer like myself be allowed to read it either.
And so it goes.
Connecticut's economy will further its decline as a bottom five states in the country in economic development and friendliness.
Connecticut's economy will further its decline as one of the highest five states in the country for taxes.
I really wonder why the Connecticut Democrat Party still governs in 2019?
Because in reality they can not lead or govern at all.  They again have failed the Connecticut Taxpayer.  The Connecticut Democrat Party loves to lie to the Connecticut Taxpayer over and over again.
RIP The Connecticut Taxpayer.

Why Can't Connecticut's Government Cut Spending?

Why can't the government of Connecticut cut spending?  Why is the only alternatives offered each budget year are increases to the state budget, increases in both union and management state employees salaries, benefits and pensions along with new and raised taxes?  For 2019 it is no different.
This years events echoed the past eight long years of the Malloy regime.  The state has no budget deficit nor will any taxes be increased during the gubernatorial campaigns.  Immediately when the Democrats win control of all state offices through questionable election law violations, there is now a budget deficit, all new state commissioners that reek of political nepotism get pay increases and the new and increased taxes start to get listed.  The same tired arguments of the rich (however that is defined) don't ever pay enough in taxes, illegal immigrants deserve the same rights as legal Connecticut citizens and the Elitist Connecticut Democrat Party knows what good for you so shut and accept it.  This year's variation is that now tolls are the only way to repair a completely dysfunctional and not kept up highway, road and bridge system.  Yes implement tolls to add more fire to burning and failing Connecticut economy.
Debate is controlled and limited each legislative session.  The Elitist Connecticut Democrat Party tries to push through bills without any public hearing or allowing legislators to read and ask questions on bills.  Public debate is controlled as much as possible when it does not match the thought process of the Democrats.  Insults are hurled at the minority Republican legislators to put them in place and to try to silence them. 
This year the Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus is fighting back questioning finally every move the Democrats are making.  An anti-toll group is fighting back against the economically irrational tolls proposal that is being shoved down the throats of Connecticut drivers.  Connecticut Taxpayers are angry and fighting back.
And nothing has been said about Connecticut's debt crisis.  A debt of $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.
The Connecticut Democrat Party has to be on the defensive as their failed economic policies and political nepotism have driven Connecticut into an economic sewer of no return.  Tax and spend policies have failed the state miserably yet Connecticut Taxpayers must accept them year in and year out.  In case the Connecticut Democrat Party hasn't noticed many businesses and citizens have moved out of state over the past eight years.  It is an economic fact that the Connecticut Democrat Party is in total denial of. 
Connecticut needs a change.  The Connecticut Democrat Party has failed the state for years now.  Tax and spend policies along with tolls will continue to damage the state economically.  But it will never be understood by those political elite who have manipulated Connecticut's economy to their advantage.  Why can't the government of Connecticut cut spending? And the vote with one's feet continues unabated thanks to the Connecticut Democrat Party.

More Connecticut Taxes-More,More,More

More Connecticut Taxes.
More, more, more.
It is a consistent theme in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Democrat Party likes to raise taxes since 1991.  They have been successful in raising them year in and year out.
The Connecticut Democrat Party likes to spend money for their political ruling class to keep them in power forever.
The Connecticut Democrat Party is not concerned in the least with the $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities the state currently has.
The Connecticut Democrat Party is not concerned at all with raising the minimum wage which will in effect force more businesses out of Connecticut.
The Connecticut Democrat Party does not worry about the costs of state employee union and management salaries, benefits and pensions.
The Connecticut Democrat Party are above rules and laws that govern our state-laws are meant to be broken and disregarded by them especially when election time comes.
More Connecticut Taxes.
More, more, more.
It is a consistent theme in Connecticut.
Ned Lamont in his brief time in office has also shown is a true  and loyal member of the Connecticut Democrat Party by lying during his campaign and his lack of decision making as Governor.
Ned Lamont obviously felt by investing $50 million dollars plus of his own money in all of the elections he has run he is entitled to do whatever he wants and the legal Connecticut voter and taxpayer be damned.
This entire legislative session could have been about cutting spending, cutting taxes, addressing the $100 billion dollar debt crisis and reforming state employee union and management salaries, benefits and pensions.  This was not even looked at.  Instead it was the chronic theme and new, higher taxes along with tolls will once again solve Connecticut's issues.
It doesn't and has not for years.
More Connecticut Taxes.
More, more, more.
Start voting with your feet-there are many other states better run than the oppressive and omnipotent one party rule of what was used to be "The Constitution State".   RIP Connecticut.

The Connecticut Democrat Party Wants These New Taxes

The Connecticut House Republicans listed the possible new taxes that have been considered by the Connecticut Democrat Party led Finance Committee in 2019.  They equal roughly over $2 billion dollars more in new and higher taxes over the next two years.  This comes after the $5 billion dollars in new and higher taxes by Democrat Dan Malloy wrote into law during his failed administration.
The taxes include the following:
A new 2% Tax on Capital Gains
Property Tax Credit – Removed Scheduled Expansion
Tax for Rideshare
Increase in Sales Tax on Meals
10% Tax Increase on Alcohol
Increase Tax rate on Movies 6% to 6.35%
Eliminate 5 year, $500 credit for STEM college graduates
Tax interior design services
Tax dry-cleaning and laundry services, incl. coin-operated
Tax parking
Tax on digital downloads from 1.0% to standard 6.35% rate
Tax Safety apparel
Maintain current 10% business surcharge set to expire in tax year 2019
Tax E-Cigarettes liquid at 75% wholesale
Increase Minimum Markup on Cigarettes
Increased Sales due to Ecig Excise
Maintain Hospital User Fee at FY 2019 level of $900 million
Implement recommendation of ambulatory surgical center tax study
Surcharge on Plastic Bags of 10 cents
Increase annual filing fee for LLC’s and LLP’s from $20 to $100
Eliminate increased exemption for social security income
Eliminate exemption for pension and annuity income
Eliminate the sales tax free week
Tax legal services
Tax on accounting services
Tax on architectural services
Tax on engineering services
Tax on real estate activities and agents/brokers
Tax on veterinary services
Tax on barber shops and beauty salons
Tax on massage therapists and electrology services
Tax on sports/recreation instruction and industries
Tax on horse boarding and training
Tax on travel arrangement and scenic transportation
Tax on services to buildings and dwellings
Tax on waste collection
Tax on Renovation and repair of residential property
Tax on Repair or maintenance of vessels
Tax on Winter boat storage
Tax on Increase tax on boats from 2.99% to standard 6.35% rate
Tax Increase hotel occupancy tax from 15% to 17%
Tax on Trade-ins for vehicles
Tax on Non-prescription drugs
Tax on Text books, college & professional schools
Tax on Newspapers and magazines
Tax on Connecticut credit unions
Tax on Campground rentals
Tax on Bicycle helmets
Tax on child car seats
Tax on vegetable seeds
A new 25 cent deposit on wine and liquor glass bottles
A new Add 5 cent bottle deposit to nips
A new tax on payroll to fund state-run Family Medical Leave
These new taxes show the incredible disrespect the Connecticut Democrat Party has for Connecticut Taxpayers.
These new taxes show the incredible lack of economic knowledge the Connecticut Democrat Party has for Connecticut's miserable economy.  More taxes have not resolved Connecticut's economic problems.
These new taxes show how the $5 billion dollars in new and higher taxes the Connecticut Democrat Party shoved down the throats of Connecticut Taxpayers during the past eight years did nothing to help solve chronic budget deficits and long term debt.
Connecticut still has $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities that this budget does not address.  And these new taxes will not address them either.
The final budget will probably write into law some of these new miracle taxes along with increases in base taxes.
And Connecticut will continue to be last in all economic and business categories for the next four years.  More of the same stale rhetoric brought to you by the failed Connecticut Democrat Party.
 

Can Connecticut Cut State Spending?

The Connecticut Democrat Party seems to have a habitual spending problem.  It can not, will not, must not nor it seems it ever will cut spending in Hartford.  Spending each budget year must go up it can never go down.  Tax revenues in the state continue to be unreliable as the net migration moving out continues daily along with businesses leaving the state thus lowering revenue.  The few new jobs that are being developed are at much lower wages than previous jobs (for example the Amazon warehouse jobs). The progressive/socialist wing of the Connecticut Democrat Party seems to believe that higher taxes will make the state more fair and equitable to those in need.  There is no mention by these same progressive/socialists of the Connecticut Democrat Party as to the excessive tax burden that the Connecticut working middle class must pay year in and year out.
The Connecticut Democrat Party new pitch is an additional 2% tax increase on Capital Gains.  The claim is that these wealthy citizens who receive Capital Gains can afford to pay more in taxes since they are wealthy.  How does the Connecticut Democrat Party define wealth?  Unknown to anyone but themselves.  The net impact of this yet new tax besides all of the other taxes they have proposed is to continue the net migration of population out of the state and to see yet even more businesses moving out of state.  It seems to be a never ending cycle.
High taxes negate economic growth.  However for the protected individuals of the Connecticut Democrat Party this scenario does not exist since they feed off the Connecticut Taxpayers never ending supply of money.  Wealth formation is gained through the Connecticut Democrat Party and their deals and subsidies to those politically connected with them.  Rules and laws do not apply to them.
Cutting the bloat of Connecticut state government would have been the first step in the road to economic recovery for the state.  Why couldn't Governor Lamont instruct the "exceptional" newly appointed state commissioners that all received raises in their salaries to find a way to do more with less money by cutting spending in their agencies by 10%.  This would have been a serious step in restoring the state's finances.  But instead Connecticut Taxpayers are force fed the same stale rhetoric of new and higher taxes along with now tolls will once again solve all of the state's fiscal issues.
New taxes and tolls does not improve Connecticut.
It has not and it will not.
Cutting state spending fails always on deaf ears. 
Connecticut Taxpayers must again be the serfs and economic slaves to the Connecticut Democrat Party.
Cut spending.  No Tolls.  Connecticut Taxpayers have had enough.

Another Connecticut Tax For Drivers-Another Connecticut Double Taxation

Connecticut Democrats in their quest to tax any conceivable economically productive activity to obtain tax revenue are looking at a proposal to tax vehicles when you trade them in when purchasing a new vehicle.  Thus when you purchase a new or used vehicle in Connecticut you pay a 6.35% sales tax and now when you sell and trade in your vehicle you will pay again sales tax.  Thus another double taxation for Connecticut Taxpayers.   The purpose of this tax is to raise depending on the analysis $250 to $300 million dollars in new tax revenue.  The revenue will be used obviously to increase spending on state management and union salaries, benefits and pensions.  An example of this increase was seen this past week when an 11% pay increase was voted in for all newly unionized tax attorneys that were formerly managers who work for the State Attorney Generals Office.  Another example of where this revenue might go is towards the pay increases that were received by all of the newly appointed State Commissioners.  Yet another example of where this new revenue may go is to the State Union employees and their upcoming longevity payments on July 1. 
The costs of this new car tax will make drivers think twice on trading in their vehicles and will probably add anywhere from $635 to $2000 on the costs of purchasing a new vehicle in the state.  It will in both the short and long run decrease car and truck sales in the state while further increasing the costs of driving in Connecticut which are already influenced by high gasoline taxes, property taxes on the vehicles you own and the possibility of one of the highest amount of toils and toll rates in the country.
All this while Connecticut continues to remain at the bottom or last in all economic categories in the country with net migration and loss of population on a yearly basis.  All this while Connecticut has $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  All this while there has been no conversation in the state legislature to cut spending of any sort this session.
Thus we will see yet another Connecticut tax for drivers that is yet another Connecticut double taxation.  All this while Connecticut falls further into a never ending cycle of an economic recession fast approaching an economic depression.

The Double Taxation Of Tolls

Tolls create a double taxation for Connecticut Taxpayers and businesses.  Toll taxes will only be passed on to consumers who are already paying toll taxes.
Here is an example.  A heating oil company must deliver oil to its customers.  For a heating oil company located in Meriden they must drive to the storage areas of New Haven to obtain their heating oil wholesale.  The drive to New Haven will entail them driving on I-91 and possibly I-95 depending on what exit they use to pick up the oil.  The tolls round trip for this may range from $4 to $8 depending upon time of day and what the state will actually charge for the tolls.  If this company must pick up heating oil on an average of 500 times per year this will increase their costs by $2000 to $4000 per year.  The heating oil in some cases will have to be transferred to other trucks and then sent out for delivery.  Based on scheduling and the needs of its customers the heating oil company will then route its truck or trucks to deliver their product.  Tolls because of their locations will be encountered by the heating oil company delivering to their customers.  Based on the number of deliveries this now adds an additional $2000 to their costs yearly depending upon time of day and what the state will actually charge for the tolls.  Taking a high end figure the heating oil company now has an additional $6000 in new costs yearly in the form of the toll taxes that have been implemented.
The heating oil company also must add an additional sales tax to the cost of their deliveries which is 6.35% that is passed to their customers due to this new tax.  The costs of tolls adds an additional five cents per gallon to the price of the heating oil.  Also the state has passed a "green tax" of roughly ten cents a gallon to heating oil to penalize them for supposedly being a non clean fuel.
The customer comes home from work from his or her job.  Their commute from Meriden to Milford now costs them an additional $20 a week or $80 per month due to the toll tax they must now pay.  They have received the bill for their heating oil delivery of 200 gallons.  Last month before the tolls and new taxes on heating oil they paid $2 a gallon or $400 for 200 gallons.  This delivery cost them $457.31, 200 gallons at $2.15 per gallon/$430 for the heating oil plus $27.31 for state sales tax on the bill.  Because of the supply and demand for heating oil the prices will fluctuate.  The customer now must come up with an additional $57.31 per month for the heating oil.  They also must come up with an additional $80 per month for the costs of the tolls.  The customer will not be getting a raise this year either due to the additional state taxes that the business they work for has to pay.
The customer must now cut costs a minimum of $137.31 per month due to the increased costs of tolls and heating oil.  However the costs at the grocery have increased dramatically also due to the new toll tax as all shipments to Connecticut have gone up with some trucking companies refusing to deliver to Connecticut due to its high taxes and tolls and also some trucking companies in the state have gone out of business since they can not make a profit here any more due to the high tolls and taxes.
The customer must now figure out a way to cut back to pay what they estimate is the additional 25% more they are paying at the grocery stores weekly for their food.  The customer figures now they have to come up with an additional $400 a month more between the toll tax and higher costs for all consumer goods they must purchase to live here in Connecticut.  They have no alternative but to eliminate their 401K contributions at work.  They have no alternative to lower their thermostats in their houses to try to save on heating oil.  They no longer spend any money on any form of entertainment or eating out.
After a year of tolls and increased prices Connecticut's economy is in a massive recession with huge budget deficits since toll revenues are not coming in at what was estimated and most non discretionary consumer spending has stopped thus lowering state sales tax revenue.  The Connecticut Democrat Party thus decides to raise tolls even higher and all other taxes even higher to make up for the shortfalls.  By the way the rest of New England is experiencing economic expansion and prosperity at this same time due to its lower taxes.
The economic example that I have described will become economic reality if toll taxes are passed.  Tolls are a form of double taxation. I urge you to contact your State Senators and State Representatives to express your concerns and opposition to tolls in Connecticut.  No tolls are needed and will damage even more a damaged state economy.  Enough is enough.

Connecticut: No Tolls Today, No Tolls Tomorrow, No Tolls Ever

No tolls.
Not today, not tomorrow nor ever in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Democrat Party is trying to manipulate the debate on tolls.  But in my opinion they are losing.  The reason is that there is a massive amount of legal Connecticut Taxpayers who see the scam that these new tolls are and will become.
The new tolls program has no transparency.  Trying to get any information on them is limited and not readily given out to the public.  We are just told that they are needed, shut up and accept them.  Just like the state income tax in 1991.
The new tolls are needed to provide $100 billion dollars in transportation spending according to Governor Lamont.  Where does he develop this figure from?  What projects are being added and or repaired?  How many years will it take to achieve $100 billion dollars in toll revenue after expenses?  Ten years? Thirty years?  100 years?  Doesn't Connecticut already have $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities?  Is that economic issue going to be addressed or does it now mean we will have $200 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities?
The new tolls will cost how much to implement?  Connecticut already is at the top in the country for administrative costs to maintain our crumbling road and bridge system thus I will assume this will be the same for the costs of tolls.
The new tolls will cost Connecticut drivers how much per mile?  This figure changes daily it seems.  Will there be congestion tolling?  At what times?  What roads?  With 53 plus tolls being proposed it seems to me there will be massive shifts of costs everywhere and at all times while driving.  Thus you will never know how much it will cost to drive.
 Connecticut already has a massive amount of taxes that Connecticut drivers pay already.  A secret 8.1% gross earnings tax on fuel which equals roughly 18.8-cents per gallon of tax, along with a 25- cent gallon tax equals 43.8-cents per gallon of taxes that drivers pay for each gallon of gas they buy. The 25-cent per gallon tax alone takes in over $505 million dollars in revenue for the state.  Then add all the other state taxes one pays for motor oils, tires and maintenance of their vehicles and you have an enormous cost to operate a vehicle in Connecticut.
Tolls if implemented will only go up rapidly and often.  Bridges and roads will not be repaired.  Toll money will be funneled somewhere in the non-transparent spending schemes of the Connecticut Democrat Party.  The lies will begin just as they did for the state income tax when that was seen as an epic economic failure contributing to the economic downfall of Connecticut.  It is logical to assume that the Connecticut state government has massive spending problems.  Tolls will not solve it.  Cut spending dramatically on management and union salaries, benefits and pensions.  Cut all state agencies budgets by 10 to 15%.  Have these supposedly exceptional Commissioners find a way to save Connecticut Taxpayers monies.  This all falls on deaf ears.
No tolls today, no tolls tomorrow and no tolls ever.

Where Do Connecticut Taxpayers Get Their Money From To Pay Their Taxes?

In the current harsh one party rule of the Connecticut Democrat Party that we are seeing in this current legislative session I really wonder if they know where Connecticut Taxpayers get their money from to pay their taxes?
As simplistic as this question is I think the Connecticut Democrat Party needs to understand where Connecticut Taxpayers get their money from and why it is not unlimited in nature.  Legal Connecticut Taxpayers may either own their own business and or work for a company and earn income.  This income is taxed in many ways with Federal income taxes, social security and medicare taxes automatically being taken out each pay period.  Also here in Connecticut a state income tax is levied and automatically taken out each pay period.  The state income tax has increased dramatically since its inception in 1991.  New for this session is an additional family leave tax of .05% to pay for a supposed twelve weeks of your pay to take care of a defined family member.  If you never use this leave you will not got any money back for what you payed into it nor has it been explained how this figure was developed or how it is sustainable to fund the program.
Connecticut has state taxes besides the income tax that are numerous.  We have state sales taxes, state use taxes, state excise taxes, state fees, state business taxes, state business licensing fees, state fuel taxes, state unemployment compensation taxes and other miscellaneous state taxes and fees that are assessed for far ranging areas and entities.
On a local level Connecticut has one of the highest property taxes in the country with wide ranging mill rates from town to town, city to city.  Connecticut Taxpayers must pay a local property tax on their home or condo, their vehicles, boats, trailers and campers.
If one adds up all of these taxes and you are a middle income earning couple you and your spouse will probably being paying 40% to 50% of your income for federal, state and local taxes here in Connecticut.  With all of the new taxes and tolls that are going to be passed this session this will increase our tax burden upwards to 48% to 58% of your income for federal, state and local taxes.  This means that you get to keep only 42 to 52 cents of each dollar you earn here in Connecticut.
Therefore I ask again if the Connecticut Democrat Party knows where Connecticut Taxpayers get their money from to pay their taxes?  If taxes and tolls are going to raised upwards of $2.5 billion dollars where will Connecticut Taxpayers get this additional money from?  Obviously Connecticut's economy will contract even more than has in the past as Connecticut Taxpayers reduce their consumer spending, their driving to avoid tolls, lower and or eliminate their savings and investments due to these massive tax increases.  Connecticut businesses will be eliminating jobs due to the higher minimum wage, costs of higher transportation due to tolls and higher taxes.  This should help cement Connecticut's place in the country as having the highest tax rates, the highest costs of living, the highest costs of doing business and the longest recessions of any other state.  And I can  guarantee you that Connecticut will continue to have budget deficits in the future and the roads and bridges will not be fixed or repaired either.  And nothing will be done to address Connecticut's $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.
Connecticut Taxpayers have little alternative other to try to work more hours at their jobs, try to find part time jobs to earn more income to pay for all these new taxes and tolls.  Connecticut businesses have little alternative other than to eliminate jobs, reduce wages and or move to a low tax state such as Florida, South Carolina or Tennessee.  When this occurs it will create a massive ripple effect of fewer jobs and much lower tax revenues for Connecticut thereby increasing Connecticut's $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  This economic fact is lost on the economic ignorance of the Connecticut Democrat Party.
We can conclude that Connecticut Taxpayers will no longer be able to afford to pay their taxes in both the short and long run.  
We can also conclude that Connecticut businesses will no longer be able to operate and earn a profit  along with trying to pay higher taxes in both the short and long run.
We can also conclude that Connecticut's economy will be in a massive recession in both the short and long run.  
We can also conclude that Connecticut Democrat Party could care less about Connecticut.

Connecticut's New Tax Reality-A Scene From The Future

As Connecticut leaps to a even more socialist/liberal tax and spend state with massive tolls and taxes with a rapidly rising debt load that becomes unsustainable let us look at a possible scenario in the not too distant future.
You are driving to work at your job that takes you on I-91 and I-95.  Because of your hours of employment you must drive during rush hours.  These rush hours due to the set up of the 53 tolling gallantries on all state roads encompass congestion pricing that charge commuters double the fares than off peak hours.  Your 42 mile round trip commute daily costs you an addition $40 a week to get to work due to the close proximity of the new tolls on the highway.  You have read that these tolls are going to be going up July 1 since the revenues that were expected to taken in from the tolls have fallen short of projections.  Connecticut has the highest cost per mile administrative fees in the country for road maintenance and now the highest cost per mile in toll administration in the country.
You stopped on the way home from work to pick up a few items from the grocery store.  You notice that prices have gone up in the store literally week to week.  The canned cat food that you paid 65 cents a can last week is now 72 cents a can.  The bottle of soda has gone up 15 cents for the bottle due to the new soda tax that was passed.  The store manager states to you that due to the tolls all costs of shipping goods has increased dramatically and the store has no choice but to increase their costs.  He also recommends stocking up on items since on July 1 a higher sales tax will go into effect and that will further increase costs.
When you get home that night you have received bills that shock you due to the increases in them.  Your electric bill due to the new one mill tax on each kilowatt hour you use has gone up roughly 12% since last month.  Your heating oil that was delivered yesterday cost you $28 more due to the new 14 cent per gallon heating oil tax on the 200 gallons that were delivered. The visit to vet for your cats now is being charged sales tax.
You get to work the next day after a nightmare morning commute to find out that two workers were let go due to the new $15 minimum wage bill that was passed.  The owner of your company states that he can no longer to afford to pay $600 a week plus the new .05% Family Leave tax plus all the other payroll taxes and unemployment taxes for both workers who just place items in boxes for delivery.  The costs of this new higher minimum wage have cut into the small profit margin he has thus beginning today, the owner will be forced to box the orders.  The owner says he will be looking at working 12 hours a day six days a week for himself to try to stay open and remain competitive in Connecticut.  He asks you to help with the orders if you have any free time during your work day.
A month passes and you and your wife are seeing that you will be spending $3000 more a year due to the higher taxes and tolls.  You also find out that the business you are working for is shutting down since he can no longer remain competitive due to the excessively high business and individual taxes in the state.  He thanks you for the 15 years you worked for him and can offer no severance package to you since he has run out of money due to these high taxes.
A few more months pass and you are still on unemployment compensation from the state.  Connecticut's unemployment rate has jumped dramatically in the past six months due to more businesses going bankrupt and or moving out of state.  You have sent out many resumes and applied for many minimum wage jobs just to try to get work.  You and your family have cut all expenses to the bare minimum to try to survive.   You are fast running out of money to pay the highest taxes in the country on a local and state level along with the highest costs in the country now for electricity, heating oil and food.
A state election is held in November that year and the Democrat Governor wins reelection by 3000 votes after weeks of counting and recounting the votes and the Democrats barely take the State House and Senate with a majority of only one in each case.  It is discovered in many House and Senate races that individuals were given wrong District ballots and were unable to in most cases vote for the candidate of their own choosing which was Republican.  In Bridgeport and New Haven polls remained open way past legal closing time and individuals who still were not registered to vote were allowed to vote.  Ballots in these two towns were found later discarded in dumpsters that had votes for Republican candidates.  Adding all these votes would have brought in a new fiscally conservative Republican Governor and under ticket along with majorities in both the House and Senate.  The election turns out to be a scam and your vote did not count.
When the dust settles and your unemployment has run you and your family decide to put your house up for sale.  You now take any single day employment you can find.  Your wife's employer states they will be closing at the end of the year thus you both decide to put your house up for sale and will move out of state.  You have been applying to companies in Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee and have had some promising results.  The realtor states it may take up to one year to sell your house since there are so many houses for sale.
Nine months later both you and your have accepted employment in South Carolina, your house finally sells in ten months at a price that you have lost about $15,000 on it due to property values plummeting in Connecticut along with your real estate commissions, closing costs and the new real estate sales tax that is in effect.  Your life savings is completely gone now.  You and your wife were four generations of Connecticut residents that are now finally gone and all your ties have been cut from the state.  You are starting new and will hopefully become economically prosperous in a low tax state that values legal citizens who are productive in their work and lives.
You and your family have escaped the socialist and liberal nightmare known as Connecticut. 
Connecticut's new tax reality.  This is a scene from the future.

What Does $2.4 Billion Dollars In New and Higher Taxes Mean For Connecticut?

The new budget that Democrat Governor Ned Lamont has offered Connecticut increases and creates $2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes.
What does $2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes mean for Connecticut?
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means all prices of goods will increase in Connecticut.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means the costs of all services will increase in Connecticut.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means the costs of transportation will increase in Connecticut.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means Connecticut will continue to lose economic competitiveness to other states.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means homes and condos will become more difficult to sell in Connecticut.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means more businesses will move out of Connecticut since the costs of doing business here are excessive.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means there will be more job losses in both the short and long run since Connecticut's minimum wage will be going up also while businesses move out.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means higher property taxes.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means there will be a massive drop in savings in Connecticut.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means there will be a massive drop in investment in Connecticut.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means there will be a massive drop in consumer spending in Connecticut.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means there will be a massive drop in charitable giving in Connecticut.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means there will be a drop off in consumer confidence in Connecticut's economy.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means there will be a drop off in business confidence in Connecticut's economy.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means there will be more legal Connecticut Taxpayers moving out of state thus increasing the tax burden for those who remain here.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means there will be no change in the $100 billion dollars worth of short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities Connecticut has since none of this money is going to pay down this debt.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means Connecticut will remain last in all economic categories in the country.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means there will be even less economic freedom for Connecticut Taxpayers.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means there will be the continuation of the economic demise the state has had since the 1991 implementation of the state income tax.
In other words $2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes does not do anything at all to improve Connecticut in any way other than to continue to support the dictatorial powers of the Connecticut Democrat Party.  This is done through the further nurturing of an unsustainable level of salaries, benefits and pensions for both the management and union state workforce and excessive state spending on political do nothing programs. 
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means once again Connecticut Taxpayers have been shut out of any say in their state government.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes means once again Connecticut Taxpayers are indentured servants who must work harder to support to their masters in Connecticut's government.
$2.4 billion dollars in new and higher taxes is sickening isn't it?

Connecticut's 28 Year Recession

Connecticut as we know has many negative economic issues that need to be addressed.
It has high taxes, $80 to $100 billion dollars in short and long debt along with unfunded liabilities, a lack of job creation, a poor business climate, crumbling roads and bridges, a net migration of citizens moving out of state, illegal immigrants, and an unsustainable union and management state employee workforce being paid excessive salaries, benefits and pensions.
In the current Legislative session Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Democrat Party have offered to throw more fuel in the fire by implementing the highest set of tolls in the country, tax plastic shopping bags, soda and "junk food", increasing salaries for new politically appointed State Commissioners, licenses for cats, an increase in the minimum wage to $15 a hour, a .05% payroll tax to fund a paid 12 week family and medical leave law, more benefits for illegal immigrants, a state run health care program funded by Connecticut Taxpayers, and a one mill state wide property tax.  There are even more tax and spend proposals in the works.
What the Connecticut Democrat Party has presented to Connecticut taxpayers this session is an insult to our intelligence and shows their lack of economic logic and knowledge.  How is it possible to stimulate the state economy by raising taxes and implementing tolls by over $2 billion dollars?  It does not stimulate the economy nor help get the state out its 28 year recession.
It would have been a breath of fresh air if Governor Lamont had offered a budget that cut spending across the board for all agencies, cut all newly appointed Commissioners salaries by 10%, not giving these same new Commissioners pensions, began to start to privatize the Department of Motor Vehicles, eliminate the two to three percent automatic increase in some state pensions, just to name a few ideas.  There are many more that could have been considered.
There is hope in our State Legislature in the thirteen member Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus that is now questioning these ridiculous economic bills that the Democrats want to shove down the throats of the Connecticut Taxpayer.  These brave conservative legislators are offering an alternative to the stale, failed tax and spend policies of the Connecticut Democrat Party.
It will be interesting to see what happens this session in Hartford.  It will determine again how much more sacrifice that the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers who are legal citizens of the state must give to support an omnipotent one party rule and political hierarchy that is completely out of touch with the economic reality of Connecticut. 
No tolls, no new taxes, cut spending.  It is a simplistic answer that should be the solution to Connecticut's 28 year recession.
It falls on deaf ears.

Connecticut's Created Toll Crisis

The Connecticut Democrat Party and Governor Lamont have now created a toll crisis in the state.   Governor Lamont obviously did not understand the tolls question in his campaign.  The issue of tolls has now become the tax savior to solve all of the transportation problems in the state.  Just like the state income tax was supposed to solve all of the financial problems in the state and just like all of the tax hikes during the failed Malloy Administration was supposed to solve all of the financial problems in the state.  Nothing has worked nor will tolls work.
Connecticut has a major problem in how much it spends especially in transportation.
The toll debate has been one sided with poor information being given by those in favor of tolls.  One issue that should be explained is why does Connecticut rank 44th in total disbursements per mile and 50th (last in the country) in administrative disbursements per mile (nearly $100,000 per mile) according to recent studies by the Reason Foundation-reason.org.  Why are we spending this much money on administration of our transportation systems in Connecticut?  Has there ever been an audit of this spending and agency as former Gubernatorial candidate Tim Herbst has requested? What are the actual rates that Connecticut drivers will pay in these tolls?  The numbers change constantly.  What happens if the toll revenues do not make up for the loss of over $725 million dollars that the state currently gets from the Federal Government in lieu of tolls?  Just keep raising the tolls? Has there ever been a discussion in cutting administrative costs in the Department of Transportation and putting that savings into actual maintenance and repair of our outdated road and bridge system?  I also have not read any plans as to how this toll money will be spent to repair all of the problem roads and bridges in the state or is the money just going to continue the status quo of Connecticut's rank of 44th in total disbursements per mile and 50th (last in the country) in administrative disbursements per mile (nearly $100,000 per mile)?  Where do the costs of over $300 million dollars to implement tolls along with $100 million dollars a year to run the tolls program come from and why are they so high?  What is proven economically by being the highest tolled state in the country? How does tolls help us economically by taxing us even more than what we are taxed already?
Tolls will not set us up economically for the future.  Tolls will only set us up for even more economic failures in the future.   Get ready for it.

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's New Tax: Connecticut's Unsustainable Paid Family Leave Law

AN ACT CONCERNING PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE.

To establish a paid family and medical leave system in Connecticut.

Introduced by: Labor and Public Employees Committee

---

Imagine leaving work and being paid up to $1000 a week for 12 weeks.  Imagine you are a small business with five or ten employees and all get to go out for 12 weeks under Connecticut's new paid Family Leave Law.  But under this new law small business owners must apparently "chill" and figure out how to run their businesses with less employees.  And or hire temporary employees only to fire them after a short period of time and thus pay higher state unemployment taxes.
The costs to Connecticut taxpayers would be $14 to $18 million dollars to start this program, an unknown amount of money to administer the program and a mandated .5% tax on all employee wages to supposedly pay for the program. How this tax will cover the upcoming onslaught of those individuals who are going to use and in many cases abuse the program is beyond me.  However I am confident that this tax will not be enough and thus they will be many increases of this tax in the future.  Again like the crumbling foundations tax Connecticut Taxpayers must pay we will be subsidizing another poorly run state program that will do little to help those who truly need help in taking care of family members.  This new payroll tax will take approximately $35 to $45 million dollars out of our economy monthly to help pay for this program in the short run.  Thus $35 to $45 million dollars will no longer be spent or saved in Connecticut on a monthly basis.  This loss of spending and saving will continue to make Connecticut's economy lag behind the rest of the country.
Why doesn't our state legislature meet with businesses and industry officials and develop a private sector solution to this supposed problem?  I would tend to believe that many employers in the state work with their employees who have issues that they must deal with ill family members.  Since when did taking care of your family become a function of state government? 
I am opposed to this new law that is being considered.  It is irrational to think that our state government bureaucracy has an ability to help people in need taking care of their families. 
Connecticut's has yet another new tax.  Connecticut's Unsustainable Paid Family Leave Law Tax.  More lies force fed to Connecticut Taxpayers.

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.

Connecticut Liberals Fascination With Tolls

Connecticut's liberals and progressives have a fascination with tolls.  Just as they had a fascination and made in reality Connecticut's progressive state income tax.  For those who can remember Governor Weicker shoved down Connecticut Taxpayers throats a progressive state income tax in 1991 that was supposed to solve Connecticut's fiscal problems.  It did not solve any problems just increased by massive amounts Connecticut's debt through much higher salaries, benefits and pensions for both state union and management workers.
Thus tolls are becoming a forgone conclusion as a new tax on Connecticut Taxpayers in the amount of $500 to $700 million dollars more to drive per year in the state on our horrific and outdated road system.  Greenwich Democrat Senator Alexandra Bergstein has filed Proposed Bill No.102 which authorizes the Department of Transportation to establish tolls in the state.  This vague bill will allow the spigot of new tax revenue to flow freely with what I feel with be a massive amount of tolls on all the roads in state.  I am also skeptical that any of the money will be used to refurbish Connecticut's decrepit bridges and roads even with the new Transportation lock box (this money can only be used by the DOT).  Instead we will now have a Toll bureaucracy with new high paid union and management jobs that will erode a great deal of the revenue taken in.  And watch the lobbying efforts by the politically connected to be exempted from the tolls.
Millions of dollars were spent spent on three political studies on tolls that have suggested that all of the states roads have tolls - 82 different locations in our small state.  The reasoning behind this is get more revenue thus all the studies concluded that over $1 billion dollars in new revenue will be achieved by tolls.  What happens if it doesn't?  Do the rate of tolls increase even more?  Also there is no mention whatsoever of the economic impact the tolls will have on Connecticut Taxpayers and the massive increases in the costs of products, services and the general increase in the cost to live in the state.
Connecticut's liberals and progressives enjoy punishing Connecticut Taxpayers through new taxes.  After all the two largest tax increases in Connecticut's history in the past six years did nothing to alleviate Connecticut's massive budget deficits and or $80 to $100 billion dollars plus of short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities it has.  Tolls will add more fuel to the economic recession Connecticut seems to always be in.  And they will do little to create a more robust business climate to attract businesses to the state.
Connecticut's liberals and progressives could care less about Connecticut Taxpayers.  What is next a $14315 per person tax to have every Connecticut Taxpayer pay their supposed fair share of the Connecticut Debt?  Connecticut's liberals and progressives I am sure are working on this.
Tolls are yet another burden added to all of the other the tax burdens that Connecticut Taxpayers must deal with.  And they will further drive more citizens and businesses out of state.

Connecticut's New Government-Same Like The Old One?

Well Connecticut just got rid of Dan Malloy.  Now it has Ned Lamont as Governor.  There is really not much new in state government as far as Commissioners and appointees.  Nine Commissioners got to keep their jobs, 3 Democrat State Senators and 2 Democrat State Representatives got either Commissioner positions and or high paying state jobs.  New elections must be called for and paid for by Connecticut Taxpayers, they are all relatively safe Democrat seats thus there should be no change in the makeup or either the Senate or the House.  The Democrats control all aspects of state government with the Republican Party being somewhat insignificant at this time.  The Democrats hold the Senate by a 24 to 12 majority and the House by a 92 to 59 majority.  The Connecticut Democrat Party has become much more liberal and socialistic in nature while the Connecticut Republican Party has become somewhat insignificant and will probably be shut out of discussions, negotiations and any and all things that the House and Senate will vote on.  The Connecticut Democrat Party will push for a $15 minimum wage, legalized marijuana, paid medical and family leave, tolls and higher taxes.
Connecticut has a declining population, ranks last or near last in most business and economic categories and ranks as one of the highest taxes states in the country.  Connecticut still has yet to recover from the recession nor from the implementation of the state income tax.
Yet with all of this negative news Governor Lamont basically has recycled the same people and Democrat politicians to run the state.  Why?  I really do not have a good answer other than the Connecticut Democrats run the state and there is massive political nepotism supported by Connecticut Taxpayers who truly have no say in our state government.
2019 seems to be just like the last eight years of one party rule in Connecticut.  I anticipate tolls,  higher taxes, more state spending, more short and long term debt, and higher salaries, benefits and pensions for state union and management employees (as witnessed by some hefty increases in Commissioners salaries). 
This is really the best Governor Lamont could do so far?  Why couldn't he be different?
Connecticut's new government is just the old one.  I didn't expect anything different.

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 Misguided Tolls

Tolls here.  Tolls there.  Tolls everywhere.  New union jobs here.  New union jobs there.  New union jobs everywhere.
A new liberal euphoria is spreading in Connecticut today with the new Lamont administration.  It can be summed up with yet a new tax being dictated to Connecticut Taxpayers.  It can be summed up as being equal to the second state income tax for Connecticut Taxpayers.
It is of course Tolls.
Tolls are a wonderful tax for Connecticut bureaucrats.  Studies have been made on tolls funded with Connecticut Taxpayers monies that are secret in nature.  It is difficult to gain information on them since the Connecticut Democrat Party does not wish to either discuss them nor disclose the amount of tolls they wish to place on the roads.  It was not an issue in the last campaign according to the state media. 
What is lost in the debate about tolls is both the economic impact it will have on the state increasing the cost of living dramatically for Connecticut Taxpayers and the amount of federal funds that will be lost because tolls have been implemented.  In my opinion there is no possible way tolls will either offset the amount of funding currently being given by the Federal Transit Administration which $703 million dollars (2017)) and or increase revenue for the state unless the state implements the highest toll roads in the country.  Someone in our state government needs to answer this question immediately before any more Connecticut Taxpayers monies are wasted on more "toll studies".  If tolls pass one will argue that Connecticut Taxpayers taxes have now increased by another $703 million dollars plus the costs to implement the tolls.
Naturally those politically connected will be exempt from the tolls through various amendments to the toll bill when enacted.  We as Connecticut Taxpayers will not be.
The new toll costs will be passed on by every business that must travel in the state through higher prices for their goods and services.  The cost of living in Connecticut will skyrocket again.  The working middle class will once again be forced to sacrifice to pay this new tax and their standard of living will become lower again thanks to these new tolls.
Thus in 2019 we will be entering our 28th year of the recession in Connecticut.  Connecticut will once again be last in all economic development and job creation categories, first in the country in state tax rates and highest local property taxes, first in the country with net population loss, and last in consumer confidence.
The new flight from Connecticut has started again.  Like it is has been for the past 28 years since 1991.

Can Ned Lamont Separate Himself From One Party Rule?

I wonder if Governor elect Ned Lamont can separate himself from his own party. Omnipotent one party rule of the Connecticut Democrat Party has hurt our state economy over the years.  Corporate welfare, political nepotism and unrealistic and unaffordable union and management salaries, benefits and pensions has created for the state $80 to $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.
And a progressive agenda is being touted by the Connecticut Democrat Party in the new legislature that includes a $15 minimum wage (which will ultimately cost jobs in the state and increases the costs of doing business in the state), paid by employer family and medical leave (increasing the costs of doing business in the state), legalization of recreational marijuana (that will cause more short and long term medical costs and issues) and tolls (which will increase the costs of doing business in the state and for all who drive).  I wonder if Governor elect Ned Lamont realizes the costs to all of these progressive programs as an individual who was involved in the real business world.  Or does he just accept as fact that the Connecticut Democrat Party dictates to the new Governor what he can and can’t do.  Sort of like in a socialist state.  Which in reality what Connecticut has become over the years due to the Connecticut Democrat Party and omnipotent one party rule.
Thus it will be interesting to see what direction Governor elect Ned Lamont goes in.  A party loyalist or someone who realizes the dire economic conditions that exist in the state at this time?  More and new taxes or cuts in taxes to stimulate the state economy (sort of like what President Trump has done with the national economy).  More heavy handed governmental regulation or less governmental regulation.  A user friendly state government for its taxpayers or the continual aggressive and abusive state agencies that are allowed to do as they please with a taxpayer be damned attitude and actions.
Again, I wonder if Governor elect Ned Lamont can separate himself from his own party.
And which direction does he take?

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