Thanks to the Connecticut Democrat Party Connecticut's Tax Freedom Day Is May 21.

Here come the new taxes for 2017 for Connecticut Taxpayers thanks to the Connecticut Democrat Party.  By the way Connecticut still has a budget deficit.
1. A five cent plastic bag tax.  Any bag that is used by a retailer will be accessed a five cent tax that consumers will have to pay for.  Supposedly this will reduce the number of plastic bags used.  As we know the Connecticut Democrat Party hates these bags as they provide a convenience for shoppers to place their items in that they purchase.  I will assume that not one member of the Connecticut Democrat Party uses plastic bags when they shop. 
2. Tolls.  As one representative stated tolls would be "all over the place".  Connecticut Taxpayers would now have an even higher cost of transportation even with one of the highest state per gallon gasoline taxes in the country. Please remember a few years back that the secret gross earnings tax on fuel was supposed to resolve all of our "transportation and road" problems we had in the state.
3. A carbon tax.  This would increase the costs of all energy in Connecticut by placing a $15 per ton tax on carbon emitted through fossil fuels going up $5 each year afterwords.  My estimates of increased costs for Connecticut Taxpayers include a 15 to 20 cent increase in home heating oil and gasoline 10 to 15 cents a gallon.  Electric costs would continue to skyrocket.  This tax would placate the global warming crowd (who apparently do not drive cars or heat or cool where they live) like State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr.
4. An increase in the state sales tax to 7% with an expansion to many previously exempted areas.  This would allow Connecticut to be ranked back up in the top ten states in our country with one of the highest sales taxes in the country.
5. An elimination of the current $200 property tax exemption on your state income tax for certain income filers.  Thus this can be viewed as an increase in the state income taxes.
6. A shifting of the state mandated teacher funded pension system costs to cities and towns thus increasing the already high property tax burden that local taxpayers pay.  The cut is $400,000,000 which may contribute to a 3 to 6 mill property tax increase depending upon where you live.
What is interesting is that there is no mention of reforming state employees management and non management salaries, benefits and pensions.  I wonder why? 
New and higher taxes are the order of the this legislature.  More political patronage, nepotism, waste and fraud.  On May 21 Connecticut Taxpayers finishing paying their total tax bill for the year.  It is the longest length of time for any state as we rank 50 out of 50 states.  Last in the country.  Dead last.  Thanks to the Connecticut Democrat Party.  

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

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

Connecticut's Budget. Hurry Up Republicans.

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

Connecticut's Economic Danger of More Taxes

One can be very confused by trying to understand the concept of the Connecticut Democrat Party's rhetoric with regards to new and higher taxes.   If one is to follow their line of thinking one could argue that by taxing virtually anything and everything Connecticut's economic problems will be solved.  Gone will be the constant year-in and year-out yearly budget deficits.  Each year since Governor Malloy has taken office he has raised and or initiated new taxes.  Each year since Governor Malloy has taken office Connecticut has had a budget deficit.  Each year since Governor Malloy has taken office many Democrat liberals want to implement new and higher taxes especially on the working "rich" of the state.  Each year more and more working taxpayers are moving out of Connecticut to avoid the new and higher taxes that are signed into laws.  Each year Connecticut's tax revenues drop.  Each year the budget deficit grows higher.  Each year Connecticut's short and long term debt increases along with its unfunded liabilities.  Thus Connecticut's combined debt is anywhere from $60 to $80 billion dollars with no relief in sight.
Do you see a pattern here?
Do you see the economic danger of new and higher taxes impacting Connecticut's economy to the point of no return?
Can you as a Connecticut Taxpayer imagine a budget that realistically cuts state spending especially for salaries, benefits and pensions that in turn would start to pay down Connecticut's record debt?
Imagine it for it is not reality, nor in my opinion will ever be reality so long as Governor Malloy remains Governor and the State Legislature is a tool of the politically connected and its unions.
2017 picks up the same economic rhetoric as we seen in prior years.  More taxes solve everything.  Here in Connecticut more taxes further close the door of economic freedom for Connecticut Taxpayers.  That is the danger that the Connecticut Democrat Party offers and embraces to its citizens.
Do you see a pattern here?
Do you see the economic danger of new and higher taxes impacting Connecticut's economy to the point of no return?
I do.

Connecticut is a Dysfunctional Mess

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

Will there ever be a debate between Connecticut Progressives and Connecticut Conservatives?

Will there ever be a debate between Connecticut Progressives and Connecticut Conservatives?  On the future of the Connecticut economy?  On the tax structure of Connecticut?  On benefits, wages and pensions for Connecticut state employees both union, non union and management positions?  On addressing the short and long term debt structure of Connecticut? 
It logical that many would view this debate as being fruitless. 
The Connecticut Democrat Party has an exceptional liberal and progressive view of the state's economy and economic conditions.  It seems on annual basis their policies and plans of action include the elimination of more personal and business freedoms.  It also includes implementation of new taxes, extensions of existing taxes and shifting state mandated programs to most local towns and cities with no or limited funding being given to them to run them.  To them and to the voters who back them this seems to be an acceptable way to run Connecticut's government.  Transparency and the rule of state laws also are ignored.  The protection of illegal immigrants and a non equilibrium minimum wage are a priority.
The Connecticut Republican Party has a handful of conservatives in the party who try to act as a voice of reason in their limited debates with running Connecticut's government.  The most noted in my opinion are State Senators Joe Markley and Len Suzio and State Representatives Rob Sampson and Craig Fishbein who are fiscally and socially conservative.  They are in my opinion a guiding light in trying to correct the excesses of the failed economic and social programs in our state.  Peter Lumaj a conservative who most recently ran for Secretary of State in 2014 is leading a drive for the Republican Gubernatorial nomination in 2018.  The Connecticut Republican Party has continually fought to be allowed to be included in state budget negotiations but have been boxed out for years now.  2017 is no different in my opinion.  Also in my opinion the Connecticut Republican Party over the years has become very moderate and liberal in its views, thus becoming non existent  in the governing process.  In the cities of Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven the local Republican Party is irrelevant and virtually non existent as the local Democrat Party rules with an iron fist with horrific economic results.  
The 2017 Connecticut State Budget offers more of the same policies and taxes that keep Connecticut in the bottom five states in our country as far as job creation, debt per capita, unfunded liabilities, economic vitality, economic wellness and highest tax categories.  The payment for these excesses in now being passed onto to local taxpayers through the form of higher property taxes. 
Will there ever be a debate between Connecticut Progressives and Connecticut Conservatives?  I highly doubt it as those are economically and financially mobile are moving out of Connecticut daily. Many of Connecticut's middle class are trapped here in an economic cesspool of taxation without representation.  The debate here is real.  It has been ignored too long.  A rational economic thought process needs to begin again in Connecticut.  It still has not started in 2017. 

Governor Malloy and the Largest Property Tax Increase in Connecticut's History

Governor Malloy loves to raise taxes.  Each budget speech that he has made as Governor has included the yearly highest tax increase in our state's history.  And each year Connecticut still records record budget deficits.  And each year high level politically connected Connecticut state management employees see increases in their salaries and pensions.  And each year we hear the same stale political rhetoric that these are the tough decisions that need to be made and we all must sacrifice to help Connecticut.
This years budget message is no different in that he presents the largest property tax increase in the state's history by shifting state mandated education pension programs and a bulk of their funding to local taxpayers.  But that is not all.  Malloy's plan also takes away budgeted state funding from fiscally well run towns and gives it to the fiscally inept cities of Connecticut like New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.  Thus Wallingford being a fiscally conservative AAA bond rated town will lose well over $20 Million dollars in aid to help run state mandated programs.  Here are the actual proposed Education Cost Sharing grant cuts for Wallingford in 2017-$21,301,522, in 2018-$11,109,557 and in 2019-$11,109,557 a loss of $10,191,965.  Aid for Wallingford will be cut in FY 2018 by $8,142,379 also.
Thus Wallingford Taxpayers along with many local town taxpayers will see their property tax bills skyrocket in the next local fiscal year to help pay for this Connecticut Democrat Party tax increase. 
It is laughable to listen to this pomposity that is spewed each budget with the same failed results.  One can also bet that in January 2018 Connecticut will be facing its usual budget deficit and crisis with the predictable tax increases that come from it.
Dan Malloy's new budget is no different than all of his other failed budgets and tax increases.  For Connecticut Taxpayers it is disgusting to see that there was not one cent of reform in making the currently employed political elite in high level state management positions who will be receiving state pensions in the future and not contribute a penny to them, will still not contribute a penny to them.    Zero contributions in exchange for a lifetime pension funded by Connecticut Taxpayers.  Why?  Why was this not addressed by Malloy?
The Connecticut Democrat Party loves to raise taxes.  The Connecticut Democrat Party loves to take care of their own political elite. The Connecticut Democrat Party loves to crucify Connecticut Taxpayers.
2017 brings more economic hardship to Connecticut Taxpayers and more economic spoils and benefits to Dan Malloy and the Connecticut Democrat Party.
Is it possible to Take Back Connecticut?  Dan Malloy and the Connecticut Democrat Party says no-never.

Legal Connecticut Taxpayers Have No "Sanctuary" In Connecticut

Yes there are more taxes on the horizon if you are one of the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers left in our "Sanctuary" state.  As a Taxpayer I can see how the Democrat Legislature goes about it business.  Many legislators crave media attention thus they introduce many bills that in many cases continue to erode our personal freedom and raises taxes and or fees.  They talk up reforms for the state to try to attract businesses and correct pension deficits.  They posture and cut deals for the lobbyists and unions who have an iron grip on our budget and political system.  And the end result is and has been in the past more and higher taxes along with higher budget deficits.  This years theme seems to be protecting illegal immigrants in a "Sanctuary" status as a "Sanctuary" state. 
Our core cities that have massive economic debt are readily embracing "Sanctuary"  a safe haven for those in our state who are here illegally.  Middletown just decreed "Sanctuary" status without any input from their taxpayers or voters.  My question that I ask and in many cases never get an answer to is why are these people here illegally and what are their costs to support them here in our state? 
Thus one must assume that our state government helps to support these "Sanctuary" cities and those people who are here illegally through legal Connecticut Taxpayers monies.
I can understand why people from foreign countries would want to escape terror and communist governments like China, Cuba and North Korea.  I have no issues taking in these individuals from these countries as in most cases they are escaping inhumane living conditions.  In my opinion also China, Cuba and North Korea need to become free countries.
But I do not understand why people leave other countries to come here illegally other than to make cash to send home and or get free benefits from our government.  What is also lost in this "Sanctuary" argument is why are the countries that these immigrants are coming from do not have any responsibility for their citizens? 
I really would like to know what Connecticut Taxpayers are paying to support "Sanctuary" status.
Especially since we have $60 to $80 Billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities with basically no plan to pay it off.  And especially when Dan Malloy wants to eliminate rifle salutes at funeral services for our veterans to save money. 
Where is the "Sanctuary" for legal Connecticut Taxpayers?  Obviously not in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Legislature's Pomposity

The Connecticut Legislature fascinates me.  To me it is a  group of individuals working on a supposed part time basis that get together each year and submits hundreds of bills many symbolic and many taking away personal freedoms in the state.  These bills range from the ridiculous as seen in licensing cats to get revenue, placing a tax on plastic shopping bags, new tolls, a tax on how many miles you drive in the state, making Connecticut a "Sanctuary State" and to tax a large can or bottle of soda.  These bills get media attention while the underlying economic issues continue to be ignored.  And ignored.  And ignored even more.   While Connecticut's politically connected continue to be pampered in their excesses.
For example what is the plan to address the pension crisis?  The current negotiated settlement does not do anything to limit the growth in pensions nor properly fund them.  It kicks down the road addressing the issue to 2032, when most of our elected officials will comfortably be collecting their bloated pensions and benefits out-of-state. 
Another example is the addressing of Connecticut's short and long term debt along with its unfunded liabilities-what is the plan?  From what we see in this legislative session there is not much talk about it as all state union contracts seem to be safe.  As a taxpayer I wonder why the Legislature can not vote on every contract that comes up for both bargaining and non bargaining unit state employees?  After all aren't state taxpayers paying for their salaries and benefits?  By not voting on these contracts it represents to me the lack of respect that is shown to the Connecticut Taxpayers.  The respect is only shown to those individual workers who have great political ties and influence in the state. 
Why are state Judges afforded a full pension after a few years of service?  What makes them so special and why?  How does the state afford this?  Why is this considered essential?
Why can state employees supposedly work massive levels of overtime in their last three years of employment to boost their pensions?  And in some cases add their mileage reimbursements amounts to their final pension benefits?
The Connecticut Legislatures solution to our economic crisis seems to be more of the same, new and higher taxes.  The same stale talk about cutting spending for those truly in need while increasing salaries and benefits for those politically connected.  The same rhetoric.
In 2017 I really expected  to see some realistic solutions to cutting spending, salaries and benefits along with pensions by the Connecticut Legislature.  Instead I see the same meaningless pomposity that defines the Connecticut Legislature.
It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018.

Connecticut Lacks Leadership-The Emptiness of the State Capitol

The State of Connecticut lacks leadership.  It has lacked leadership for many years now.  Our current Governor has traveled all over the country throughout his terms bashing all things conservative and Republican.  He claims to be the voice and supposed leader of the Democrat Governors Association and is able to travel the country and do his dirty work.  He was at the President Trump inauguration stating it will be a "signal that we are not going away."  If only he could do the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers a real favor and leave Connecticut permanently.  And his reign of economic destruction would mercifully end for Connecticut Taxpayers.  Why does he have so many problems in leading Connecticut?  It is because he realizes that his Democrat tax and spend policies have failed the state and have left it in a wretched economic position?  Connecticut is last or near last in all economic categories-why?  The reason is his policies.
Connecticut lacks leadership.  It lacks political ethics from top to bottom in our state capitol.  We have a state capitol filled with ineptness and political cronyism.  We have a state capitol filled with unqualified political appointments that receive excessive salaries, benefits and pensions.  We have a state capitol filled with a lack of economic reality since the only concerns of state government is to provide for an appeasement, placation and constant concessions to prop up and please the state labor unions.  Connecticut Taxpayers fund this entire economic debacle day in and day out.
Connecticut lacks leadership.  Our two United States Senators can never have enough ego gratification and offer only rhetoric to problems while constantly bashing all things Republican.  I am sure Senators Blumenthal and Murphy will been seen daily in front of Connecticut's media assailing and condemning President Trump, his cabinet and his policies. 
Connecticut has massive economic problems.  It is virtually bankrupt with bloated state salaries, benefits and pensions that do not seem to be abating in the future.  It has to borrow money for its day to day expenses.  Its short and long term debt and unfunded liabilities are $60 to $80 billion dollars.
Thus what is the solution?  Our current legislature is predictable.  For all Connecticut Taxpayers hear about are new and higher taxes through the forms of tolls for its highway and bridge system that is currently in third world condition, higher income taxes and even more new trivial taxes.  It is the only policy that the Connecticut Democrat Party in conjunction with the state labor unions know of.  Make Connecticut Taxpayers pay for their excesses.
I suggest that Governor Malloy resigns.  I know he will not.  But I as a Connecticut Taxpayer and life long resident of this state see no economic future in a state that has been so mismanaged for so many years.  It is a leadership void that I really do not know if it will ever end.  To me Connecticut has become a political playground that funds deception, discrimination, partisanship, and unethical behaviors that Connecticut taxpayers must accept as the norm and truth.  It what our Connecticut elected officials want us to believe that their lies are the truth and truth is a big lie.
The State of Connecticut lacks leadership.   The State Capitol is vacuum of economic waste.
It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018.

Connecticut and its Deficit

No the Connecticut state budget deficit has not gone away.  Nor will it likely go away in 2017 or 2018.  Approximately 40% and more of the state budget goes to state employees benefits and salaries and debt interest payments in 2017.  For state that has a population of 3,587,860 it has short and long term debt obligations of $60 to $80 billion dollars.  These are not new figures nor should they be surprising.  State government is a tool of the politically connected.  If you are politically connected you are able to procure a state job that allows you a high salary along with high benefits with a pension that is unsurpassed in the real economic world (of which Connecticut state government is not part of).  Just look at the deals recently made between two Senators and a Representative. Add to the mix a total lack of accountability in the job and you have a taxpayer funded totally ineffective and bloated state government that in reality does little to represent its citizens.
How did Connecticut end up with this deficit?  Years and years of inflated and needless programs, projects and employees have taken a toll on the state.  $4 billion dollars of tax increases has not even put a dent into the never ending deficit.  The Utopian State Income Tax, a tool of tyranny, did little to solve any deficit problems.
And the solutions presented by state departments to address cuts in their budgets naturally tries to impact as much pain on those who need their services the most.  Taxpayers must accept these supposed solutions while the same state workers who offer them in some cases do not contribute a penny to their pensions and will never take a pay cut or a cut in their benefits.  Those in need remain in need while our state government laughs at them.  Just like serfs in a serfdom.  Politics as usual.
What is the solution?  Real reform.  Cuts in salaries, pensions and benefits.  It is a simple process.  In private industry it is a real solution.  In Connecticut state government it is a fantasy.
Connecticut Taxpayers need to say no to our current government.  Republicans need to become more vocal and offer solutions by leading by example.  Not by cutting deals that still protect their political elite.  And Dan Malloy should resign as he has done little other than run Connecticut into the ground with his non conservative failed economic policies of higher taxes to infinity.
No the Connecticut state budget deficit has not gone away.  Nor will it likely go away in 2017 or 2018.  The legislature if it is truly a governing body needs to resolve it today.  Their excuses have grown stale.

Tired of being a Connecticut State Representative or State Senator?

Tired of being a Connecticut State Representative or State Senator?
Just get elected. Then need more cash and a pension?
Not to worry just cut a deal and your troubles are over.
No more financials worries for these three former State Representative and Senators.
Former State Representative Stephen Dargan, D-West Haven scored himself a mere $92,500 payoff in his new job in the State Board of Pardons.  Mr. Dargan was now able to triple his former salary and more importantly dramatically increase his lifetime pension.
Former State Senator Rob Kane, R-Waterford scored himself an even better position than Dargan becoming a Republican state auditor for a mere $150,000 a year.  Mr. Kane was now able to quintuple his former salary and more importantly dramatically increase his lifetime pension.
Former State Senator Eric Coleman, D-Bloomfield scored himself an even better position than Kane becoming a Judge for a mere $168,000 a year and only has to work five years before mandatory retirement.  Mr. Coleman was now able to more than quintuple his former salary and more importantly dramatically increase his lifetime pension.
Entitlements for our elected and appointed officials here in Connecticut.
What fiscal crisis?  Not for these three men who place their political self interest above the good of the state.  After they are entitled to it.  Politics for pay seems to be their game and the game of all of our elected officials.
All at the expense of the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers left here in Connecticut.
There is no pension crisis in Connecticut unless you are not an employee of the State. 
Reform of Connecticut's pension system.  All talk-no action.
Want a plan to correct it?  Kick it down the road to 2032.
This is yet another example of Connecticut's horrifically and fiscally inept government in action.
It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018.

Connecticut's Economy 2017

Happy New Year.
It is now 2017.  A great deal has changed in Connecticut in the past year.  The Connecticut Democrat Party lost a great deal of seats in the State House and Senate in this past election.  The Senate is now evenly divided 18-18 however the Democrat Lieutenant Governor holds the tie breaking vote thus one can view it as a one vote Democrat majority.  In the House the Democrats hold a 79-72 majority however the Democrats have lost 35 seats in the past four elections.  The Democrat majority in my opinion will end in 2018 in all areas of Connecticut's Legislature.
2017 represents another year of economic problems with Connecticut's bloated state budget and government.  The sacred political patronage system is under fire as excessively high salaries, benefits and pensions for both management and union workers are being seen finally as an economic problem in paying for them each year and in the future.  I will remind everyone that Connecticut's short and long term debt is about $60 to $80 billion dollars with absolutely no plan to address it by either side of the political aisle.  We will hear the constant rhetoric of trying to do something but I am confident that nothing will be done and 2018 will start off will another $1 to $2 billion dollars budget deficit like the $1.5 billion dollar deficit we have today in 2017.  What is the plan to address the deficit?  Yet more and higher taxes?  To drive more businesses out of state?  Why are management pension so high?  Why do 25% of those receiving a state pension contribute nothing-zero to their pensions?  Why is the State Legislature so generous with Connecticut's remaining taxpayers monies to give it away like this?  And then tell Veterans that they no longer can have a military presence at their funerals?
This is the true economic problem of Connecticut's government.  It is only worried about protecting those who are hand picked for their highly paid, high benefit and pension, non preforming jobs.  The jobs that they need not be held accountable for in any way shape or form.  It has helped ruin Connecticut economically.
I will continue my quest to educate my readers and voters of Connecticut that we need a change in our state government.  We need to hold all elected and non elected officials accountable for their economic actions.   We need to bombard our Representatives and Senators with phone calls, letters, emails and question why they are making such poor decisions for our state.  It needs to start today.
Debt is cancer for our state.  The disposal and disregard of those most needy in our state is a shameless political act that has grown stale.  Enough is enough.
It Is Time To Take Back Connecticut In 2018.

Swick's Final Thoughts on 2016

This will be my last column for 2016.  I will be back with a special New Years Day column in 2017.
A great deal has occurred in 2016.  We have a new President Trump and Vice President Pence.  We have seen the beginning of the end for the Clinton dynasty.  In Connecticut voters continue their rejection of the Connecticut Democrat Party and their irrational economic tax and spend policies.  Connecticut continues to lose many businesses and continues to have a net migration of population out of Connecticut.  Connecticut continues to rank near last in most economic categories in 2016.  The state's pension system is an economic debacle broke with a ridiculous proposal currently to push to 2032 the bulk of its debt.  It was a year of the same stale economic rhetoric from Hartford's Omnipotent One Party Rule which mercifully is day by day losing its grip on power in Hartford.  The City of Hartford continues is economic decline with a brand new baseball stadium in disrepair with no games being played there along with the push for a "regional" sales tax to bail them out.  More of the same in Hartford.  There was the usual mix of Connecticut political corruption that just never seems to end.
Dan Malloy will continue as the Head of the Governors Association shaking down donors who will demand better results than what they got in this past election and spending the bulk of his time out of Connecticut in hope of getting a new job when does not get re elected in 2018.  The hope is once again that in 2018 the Republicans will prevail in taking control of the State House and complete control of the State Senate rather the current split 18-18.  And more importantly win the Governorship with a conservative candidate like Peter Lumaj in the upcoming election.
I also think about the hundreds of million of dollars that was spent in this last campaign.  Think about all of the people who could have been helped, the poor, the sick, college loans, etc. with it rather where it went, in the pockets of overpaid political consultants, a biased media and pollsters who have no clue what is going on in our country.  Also think about all of the money that is in the Clinton Foundation that does not get spent on "charitable" endeavors.  
Thus we will be entering 2017 with a new found hope in a new and dynamic President Trump and Vice President Pence who have already shaken up Washington and its stale political process.  We know the liberal media will each day condemn him however it looks like he will be ignoring them and take his messages directly to the citizens and taxpayers of our country.  What a refreshing thought for America.  In my economic opinion when all is said and done America will have entered a great period of economic growth and prosperity and our future will look great again.
I wish to thank all of my loyal readers who both and agree and disagree with my writings and thoughts.  I wish to also thank Capitol Report 2016 for being on their "The List" of columnists.  Without you this column does not exist.  I have always wanted what is best for my town of Wallingford, for Connecticut and for the United States of America whether you agree with me or not.  It can only be achieved through economic growth and prosperity,  a belief in spirituality, through productive and fair employment, through self reliance not reliance on an ineffective government and through a desire to see all in our country be successful and in good health.
Happy Hanukkah.
Merry Christmas.
Happy New Year.
Thank You.
See you next year.

Connecticut's Continuing Pension Crisis

Connecticut's traveling Governor Dan Malloy never ceases to amaze me with his economic illiteracy and irrational and costly economic plans.  The newest piece of economic garbage comes in the form of addressing Connecticut's pension crisis.  Connecticut's pension funds are severely underfunded and in many cases former state employees are able to able add their overtime, mileage costs, etc. to their final pension amounts.  Thus Connecticut's pensions are broke with taxpayers footing the bill.
This new Malloy plan that does nothing to increase workers contribution levels nor cut back on pension payouts.  About 25% of all state employees contribute nothing toward their pension benefit. Most others pay 2%.  For comparison purposes 7% is the national average of contribution. The beauty of Connecticut's political spoils system is that Connecticut taxpayers must be forced to pay incredibly large pensions to non union state managers, commissioners, judges, state elected officials who in most cases do not contribute a penny to their lifetime payout.  This is not addressed in Malloy's proposal.  Nor what is addressed is why the actual pension liabilities have been pushed down the road to 2032 a time when most Connecticut's political elite will be receiving their pensions in a low taxed state like Florida.  The complexity of this proposal astounds as me as I (as an economist) am having trouble as to how explain it.  It looks like the state will increase its funding somewhat to their pension liability in the hope that their rate of return will increase.  If it does not increase then most of the debt will be pushed back to 2032 and at that time some new plan will be presented.
My plan is simple.  All 25% of those state employees who do not contribute to their pension will now start to contribute 7% of their income from dollar one with no cap.  Their pensions would be capped at a 30% level of highest income.  This is still generous.  The other state employees who now only contribute 2% of their incomes would see an increase to 7%, all new state employees would be placed in a self funded retirement plan.  All life time medical benefits would end for any state employee just retiring, they can either be offered the state exchange health care plan or a similar type of Medicare plan that we in the private sector must accept.
Remember Connecticut is broke.  It ranks last in pension unfunded liabilities.  It has run out of ways to tax its remaining citizens.  Connecticut taxpayers need not fund a lifetime of excesses for those who have political connections in Hartford.  It is time to take back Connecticut's bloated pensions.

Connecticut's Never Ending Fiscal Crisis. Connecticut's Bloated Pensions.

It is funny that Connecticut's fiscal crisis never ends.  It continues unabated day in day out, year in and year out.  New and higher taxes for many years now has not solved the state's continuous budget deficit.  State spending continues to keep going up.  More and more fiscal line items magically drop off the state budget and become off budget items. Excessively high salaries, benefits and pensions are embraced and never cut back.
Thus you have short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities that have put Connecticut's debt at $60 to $80 Billion dollars.  With no plan whatsoever to pay this off.  Each Connecticut taxpayer owes over $13,250 on this debt.  What is the plan to pay this off or cut spending?
Connecticut's out-of-control spending was casually mentioned in this past election.  In a political miracle the State Senate is now evenly split between the Omnipotent Tax and Spend Democrats and the Republicans 18 to 18 with Democrat Lieutenant Governor Wyman casting the politically expedient tie braking vote.  The Democrats continue to lose seats in the State House and hold a small majority at this time.
Connecticut has one of the most bloated pension systems in the country that is horrifically underfunded.  Most Connecticut Taxpayers can only dream of getting a lifetime of a $100,000 plus a year pension along with virtually free medical benefits that they see many former state employees get.  These same Connecticut Taxpayers must be satisfied with their meager Social Security benefits that they have paid for all their lives.  They can not work for three years as a Judge and then be eligible for a lifetime state taxpayer funded pension.  They can not add their mileage expense to increase their lifetime state taxpayer funded pension.  They can not add their unused sick time (what is that anyways?) to their lifetime state taxpayer funded pension.  They can not be like Connecticut Senator Blumenthal and his lifetime state taxpayer funded pension of over $50,000 a year due to his reign of economic terror as State Attorney General.  Blumenthal by the way is worth over $105 Million dollars.  Does he still really need that lifetime state taxpayer funded pension and could he go without it and help the state in its time of fiscal need?   Of course he will get every penny out of state taxpayers that he feels he so richly deserves.
It is a sickening excess that Connecticut Taxpayers must pay for year in and year out.
Connecticut Taxpayers have had enough.
Connecticut continues to be a vast economic wasteland whose elected officials only concern is their financial gain.  It is proven time and time again.
Reform Connecticut's bloated public pension system today.  Find real budget cuts that cut the waste and bloated nature of Connecticut's government.

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.

To all of my loyal readers:
Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.
We will Take Back Connecticut in 2018, rest assured.
I leave you with this powerful Psalm today.
Psalm 145:1-7
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

$129,065.28 State Pension. Not Bad When You Are Broke.

William Cibes was a public employee for many years being supported by Connecticut Taxpayers.  Connecticut has short and long term debt of about $60 to $80 Billion dollars.  How does this relate to Connecticut's massive debt?  Well Cibes was the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management under Gov. Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., from 1991 to 1994 and then amazingly enough became the Chancellor of the Connecticut State University System from 1994 to 2006. He also served in the Connecticut General Assembly from 1979 to 1991.  He was a leading proponent of the Weicker driven Utopian State Income Tax that was supposed to resolve all of Connecticut's fiscal problems.  Cibes short stay as a one term Secretary of Office of Policy and Management was then rewarded with becoming the Chancellor of the then Connecticut State University System.  Cibes is now co-chairman of the Connecticut’s Spending Cap Commission which is my opinion a political tool allowing Cibes to proclaim that Connecticut's spending is not out-of-control nor has the state income tax contributed to the long decline of Connecticut's economy.   Cibes state pension is a mere $129,065.28 a year that Connecticut Taxpayers must pay for each year.  Cibes apparently feels that his pension is justified as being a political servant to the Connecticut liberal establishment.
Can one argue from an economics point of view that he provided any "economic productivity" in his many years of living off the Connecticut Taxpayer's gravy train?  Can one argue that the progressive Utopian state income tax has done little than drive the nails into the economic coffin that was once a dynamic and prosperous economy?
Cibes helped to create these economic problems that Connecticut still must address 25 years later.  In my economic opinion he has few qualifications to be co-chairman of the Connecticut’s Spending Cap Commission as there is no spending cap since it was ruled unconstitutional by a Connecticut Democrat Attorney General.  And Cibes comments are economically irrational and illogical.  The Connecticut economic problem is out-of-control spending on salaries, benefits and pensions.  Cibes pension is an excellent example of the constant waste of Connecticut Taxpayer's monies.
His $129,065.28 state pension is not bad for a Democrat led bankrupt state and a prime example of government waste.
It is Time To Take back Connecticut In 2018.  William Cibes and his destructive economic policies have done enough damage to Connecticut.

November 8, 2016. Today Is The Day To Take Back Connecticut

Today is the day.
Today is the day to take back Connecticut.
You have 14 hours today to vote.
You are Democracy.  Not a bunch of politically connected and economically inept politicians who tell you what you can and can not do.  And lie to you without hesitation.
You are Connecticut.
You are the individuals who go to work each day and pay your taxes daily to Hartford.
You are the backbone of a free market economy.
You are the backbone of ethics and responsibility to your Democracy.
You are the backbone that allows economic freedoms to take place on a daily basis.  Not some political appointee or political hack.
You are Connecticut.
Not the Connecticut Democrat Party.  The Party of No.  No to a free market system.  No to lower taxes.  No to cutting state spending on political excess.  No to personal freedoms.  .
You are Connecticut.
Today is the day.
Today is the day to take back Connecticut.
You are the reason the state works and is productive.
Today Vote Republican.

You Mean There Is A Connecticut Democrat Economic Plan? Kind Of Late-Don't You Think?

The Connecticut Democrat Party never ceases to amaze me especially when it is election time.
The Governor claimed there was no budget deficit and the budget deficit has not ceased to exist for six long years now of new and higher taxes.
The Governor claimed that business conditions have improved through his and his fellow Connecticut Democrat programs of corporate welfare that picks the winners and losers in our economy.  Even though Connecticut ranks near the bottom in all too many economic programs.
The Connecticut Democrat Party now has a supposed "small business agenda"  that they are embracing.  Even though in my economic opinion the Connecticut Democrat Party is anti business and anti free market as proven by their tax and spend policies and by their current United States Senator Richard Blumenthal's war on small businesses while he was the states' Attorney General for all too many years.
The Connecticut Democrat Party embraces corporate welfare as a means to their political ends-we will throw you want you want, make sure you donate to our cause.  Sort of like Hillary Clinton's current campaign and tenure as Secretary of State.
Taxpayers must be wondering why and how any Connecticut Democrats are running for election or reelection in 2016 for the State House or State Senate based upon the horrific economic conditions we have in our state?  Do you they really believe that their economic policies somehow work?
They do not.  And they never will.
It is time to take back Connecticut on Tuesday.  Enough of the politically and economically inept Connecticut Democrat Party.  We can not afford two more years of omnipotent one part rule that has failed our state day in and day out.
Vote for State Representative in the 90th District Craig Fishbein
Vote for State Representative in the 85th District Serge Mihlay.
Vote for State Representative in the 86th District Vin Candelora.
Vote for State Senate in the 13th District Len Suzio.
Vote for State Senate in the 16th District Joe Markley.
Vote for State Senate in the 34th District Len Fasano.
Vote Republican this Tuesday.