Connecticut Is The No Budget State

It is too bad that Connecticut does not have a coherent new budget that cuts spending and does not raise taxes.  The Republican budget proposal offered no new or increased taxes and it also cut spending.  This type of budget was not acceptable to Governor Malloy or to most of the tried and true liberal tax and spend union endorsed Democrat legislators that have helped to drive Connecticut into economic ruin.  The Republican budget which was passed by both the House and Senate was vetoed by Governor Malloy who then felt a need to take to the road to condemn the Republican budget and somehow try to gain support for higher taxes to once again solve all of Connecticut's economic woes.  His road show was comical at best as many Connecticut Taxpayers see through his lies and deceptions of his failed economic policies of massive tax hikes along with massive increases in spending.
Malloy's veto represents his Administration's views of he is right and everyone else is wrong.  Only Dan Malloy and his Connecticut Democrat Party policies and points of view are correct.  There is no room nor has there ever been compromise in Hartford.  It is only the failed Malloy way or no way at all as is seen with this inept budget crisis continuing to this day.
What was wrong with signing the Republican passed budget?  For one thing it asked for cuts in state spending.  Connecticut Taxpayers realize that Dan Malloy and his Connecticut Democrat Party along with state labor unions reject any attempt for fiscal conservatism.  After all how do you buy votes in 2018 if you can not promise highly paid state jobs to those who deliver them?  Why should there be any shared sacrifice in dealing with the Connecticut debt problem? 
So we still do not have a budget.  Negotiations seem to be going nowhere and with good reason.  There is a passed realistic Republican budget that cuts spending and does not raise taxes.  It should have been signed by Governor Malloy and been given a chance to succeed.  The two largest tax increases in the states history have done nothing to either balance the budget nor pay down Connecticut's excessive long term debt. 
Why couldn't something new been tried to help the state?  I know why.  Connecticut Taxpayers have no say in our government as we only work for the Democrat dictatorship that has entrapped our state for too many years now.
It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018.

Governor Malloy-Sign The Republican Budget

I do not think the Connecticut Democrat Party understood what happened to them when there was defections in their ranks and some moderate Democrats decided to vote for a Republican sponsored economically feasible no tax increase budget.  Do they realize that their economic lies and excessive taxation has now actually grown stale with their own party members?  Does the Connecticut Democrat Party now realize that the last seven years of the Malloy Administration has been a complete economic failure of excessive taxation and excessive short and long term debt?  Has the Connecticut Democrat Party seen the amount of houses and condos for sale in our state?  Has the Connecticut Democrat Party seen the amount of businesses that have moved out of our state in the past seven years?  Does the Connecticut Democrat Party have any plan to pay off Connecticut's short and long term debt of $60 to $80 billion dollars?
There are no answers to these questions by the Connecticut Democrat Party.
Thus several of their members have decided to move away from their tax and spend policies and try something different.  A Republican budget that actually cuts spending and does not raise taxes.  A budget that looks at the excessive costs of mid and upper level management positions in all areas of state government including higher education. And the responses have been the usual bureaucratic outcries of how all of these cuts will decimate their programs.  Have all of the higher taxes and higher spending for these same programs in the past seven years done anything to make Connecticut economically attractive and viable?  Or has all of this excessive taxing and spending brought Connecticut to its knees economically?
Governor Malloy needed to sign that budget immediately.  Of course he didn't and we will see in a few days his massive spending cuts take place for our cities and towns on October 1.  We will see his politically charged and induced form of punishment of well managed and economically efficient towns and cities losing aid for state mandated programs take hold while Connecticut's corrupted and poorly run cities gloat in their windfalls of yet even more state aid.
Leadership in Hartford has not been seen for many years now.  This budget allows Connecticut the beginnings of a new prosperity and towards economic growth.  It gives the remaining legal Connecticut residents and taxpayers a slim glimmer of economic hope for the future of the state.
But will Governor Malloy and the Connecticut Democrat Party admit their lies and move this budget to become law?  I highly doubt it.  The Connecticut Democrat Party is and always will be the economic cancer that has destroyed Connecticut.  Enough is enough.

The New Connecticut Republican Budget. Governor Malloy Sign The Budget.

Yes there is a new Connecticut budget.  Several Democrats are upset that several Democrats decided to ask in a coherent fashion and vote for a Republican proposed budget that cuts spending and does not increase taxes like the stale Democrat budget proposal did.
Yes it is shocking that several Democrat Senators and Representatives decided to try a new budget that cuts spending and does not increase taxes as does the Democrat proposal offers.  However we now see that Democrat Governor Malloy is having a fit to see that the Democrat Party has basically ceded power to the Republicans in the House and Senate and he has stated that he will veto any Republican budget passed.
That is funny to me.
It is funny to see Governor Malloy who in my economic opinion has been an abysmal failure as a Governor will still veto a budget that contain no taxes increases and he will pursue his failed economic policies of higher spending and higher taxes to placate his chosen political cronies he embraces until this day.  But isn't today a day of reckoning?  A day that many of us would never have seen coming?  A day where several moderate Democrat Senate and House members decided to try something different and embrace Republican economic policies that might bring Connecticut back from its economic nightmare that it has been living through for too many years now?  That day was September 16th.  A day when Connecticut started its path bath to economic and fiscal sanity.
Governor Malloy sign the budget.  Give it a chance for a change.  Do not veto the budget.
Governor Malloy sign the budget.
Governor Malloy sign the budget.
Governor Malloy sign the budget.
Change needs to happen today for Connecticut's future.
It Is Time To Take Back Connecticut In 2018.

September 9 and No New Connecticut Budget

Again we have no new Connecticut budget.  Nothing new.  It is now September 9 and there is no new Connecticut budget.  71 days into the new fiscal year and there is still no new Connecticut budget. However we are witnessing the unmitigated gall of the Governor and the Omnipotent One Party Rule of the Connecticut Democrat Party in now developing the third highest tax increase in the states history with their new budget proposal coming after the two highest tax increases in the states history.  Those two highest tax increases were supposed to stabilize the states finances.
This new proposal again with zero input from the Connecticut Republican legislators who represent over 47% of Connecticut voters and taxpayers will be shoved down our throats in the coming days.  The tax increases are severe.  There is an increase in hospital taxes. There are increases in the state sales tax, an elimination of tax free week in August, the property tax credit on the state income tax would be reduced to $100 and be limited to senior citizens or those with dependents, a new 7% restaurant sales tax and an increase the conveyance tax on real estate sales.  Municipal aid to towns and cities to help pay for mandated teachers pensions will be cut thus creating higher property taxes for local property tax taxpayers.
Thus Governor Malloy has lied once again to Connecticut Taxpayers.  He will raise taxes yet again.  Connecticut still does not have a balanced budget.  The Connecticut Democrat Party has once again lied to Connecticut Taxpayers and will raise both taxes and spending.
There has been no real cuts in spending in the upcoming out-of-balance fiscal 2017-18 state budget.  There will be again budget deficits in six to nine months as more businesses and personal taxpayers move out of state.  There will be no mention of any plan to pay off Connecticut's $60 to $80 Billion dollars worth of short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  There is no discussion of the constitutionally mandated state spending cap that was ruled illegal by the Democrat Attorney General.
Connecticut voters and taxpayers need to recognize the fact the Governor and the Connecticut Democrat Party can not govern in any way, shape or form.  They can only legislate for themselves, their state unions and their political friends.  They despise Connecticut Taxpayers and Connecticut businesses.  The Governor and the Connecticut Democrat Party are useless in resolving our states economic problems.
A solution to our economic issues in Connecticut would be a general Taxpayers strike.  Connecticut Taxpayers would stop paying their state taxes thus it would strip our state government from its funds to enrich its political ruling class and truly force real budgetary negotiations along with real structural changes to take place in Hartford.  Alas I can only dream of a non corrupted state government in Hartford.
More of the same tax and spend lies will be spewed this week as Connecticut Taxpayers lose once again with still even higher taxes to try to manage.  All while Dan Malloy and the Connecticut Democrat Party lie and laugh at Connecticut.
It is horrific.

September 2 and No New Connecticut Budget

Again we have no new Connecticut budget.  Nothing new.  It is now September 2 and there is no new Connecticut budget.  64 days into the new fiscal year and there is still no new Connecticut budget.  Can you believe 64 days of total inaction and a lack of leadership by the Connecticut Democrat Party in preparing a mandated fiscal year budget?  In private industry you would be fired.  In Hartford you are rewarded in their political spoils system.  Now we know however there were several Republican budget proposals that the Democrats would not allow to reach the House or Senate floor for a vote.  No the Connecticut Democrat Party in their supposed bipartisanship does not allow for opposing views to be presented by the Connecticut Republican Party even though they represent 47% of Connecticut's legal citizens.  Obviously bipartisanship means with regards to budget discussions are only what the Connecticut Democrat Party will allow to be spoken through new and higher taxes.  Governor Malloy now is at war with the bulk of the state's cities and towns wanting to rob cash from fiscally conservative and responsible towns to give to the socialist and fiscally incompetent cities such as Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven.  He now states that cities and towns have been given too much over the years even though the state mandates draconian and fiscally irresponsible programs such binding arbitration that can not be paid for by these sames cities and towns.  To me there is such great irony and hypocrisy in the Governors remarks.
There is now talk in much higher state income taxes for those who are "rich" and for those who are middle class.  These income taxes I am sure will be retroactive to January 1 to extract more cash out of Connecticut "rich" citizens.  This higher income tax along with much higher sales taxes and a city sales tax will further the economic erosion of our once great state.
When will it all end?
These new taxes will not do anything to resolve the constant state budget deficits.
Again I will restate that lies are the rule in Hartford as our Democrat elected officials believe their constant lies of higher taxes and more spending will solve all of Connecticut's economic problems.  There is no accountability nor repercussions for the Connecticut Democrat Party and their dishonesty and myths about higher taxes.  Connecticut Taxpayers really deserve better.  This budget fiasco shows once again that the Connecticut Democrat Party is the true economic cancer of the state.

August 26 and No New Connecticut Budget

Again we have no new Connecticut budget.  But we know now that the Democrat Party has proposed guess what in their new budget.  New and higher taxes and fees represent their over eleven months of supposed work and supposed negotiations (little with the Republicans) on the new budget.  For this accomplishment they are offering Connecticut Taxpayers much higher sales taxes expanded to many previously non taxed items, a one percent city tax on restaurant food and other entertainment areas, much higher fees at the incompetent and inefficient Department of Motor Vehicles, a sales tax on any music you download and the usual higher cigarette taxes.  This package took the Connecticut Democrats about a year to develop.  There was no mention still besides the horrific non concession union concession plan (that was negotiated behind close doors) of reform in state management, union and non union salaries, benefits and pensions.  For those who are trying to comprehend the state union concession package it in my economic opinion offers no savings whatsoever to help this budget crisis since there can be no layoffs nor any reform to the current and future levels of pensions.
I would like to remind Connecticut Taxpayers that we just had the two highest tax increases in the states history compliments of the Connecticut Democrat Party.  These two highest tax increases in the states history were supposed to resolve Connecticut's deficit problems.  The Connecticut Democrat Party has lied once again to Connecticut Taxpayers as we see with this new budget.  
Connecticut still has an increasing short and long debt along with unfunded liabilities of $60 to $80 billion dollars.  As a reminder to Dan Malloy when he ran for reelection he stated that there was no budget deficit.  As a reminder to 85th District State Representative Mary Mushinsky she stated in the last election that the budget was balanced.   What happened?  How come all the highest taxes that the Connecticut Democrat Party slammed upon the state did not balance our bloated budget?  Why do we have an increasing short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities that will not be stabilized at any time in the near future with all of these tax increases?  Why wasn't any of the Republican budget proposals brought up for a straight up or down vote on either the House or Senate floor?
Accountability really can not be seen in our Governor nor in our Democrat controlled State Legislature.  Lies are the rule in Hartford as our Democrat elected officials believe their constant lies of higher taxes and more spending will solve all of Connecticut's economic problems.  There is no accountability nor repercussions for the Connecticut Democrat Party and their dishonesty and myths about higher taxes.  
Connecticut Taxpayers really deserve better.  This budget fiasco shows once again that the Connecticut Democrat Party is the true economic cancer of the state.



 

August 19 and No New Connecticut Budget

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

August 12 and No New Connecticut Budget

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

August 5 and No New Connecticut Budget

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

July 22, 2017 and No Connecticut Budget

It is now July 22, 2017 and there is no new Connecticut budget.   There is a state union concessions package that allows for ten more years of high salaries, benefits and pensions until 2027.  The unions agreed upon wage freezes for three years followed by two years of 3.5 percent raises plus step increases.  They will also have to contribute 2 percent more toward their pensions, there are no changes to their pension benefits that can increase on a constant basis with cost of living adjustments.  Basically all jobs and benefits are guaranteed for these unions no matter how bad Connecticut's economy becomes as there are no layoffs.  The "savings" is just freezing wages for two years only to increase them in year three by the same amount they were going to get anyways this year. 
Union leaders sent a letter out stating that this agreement was "the best and longest" in the country.  Thus they should ratify it.  Thus so much for any sacrifice on the part of the state unions.  They also want higher taxes on the "wealthy" especially "hedge funds".  This being implemented as law in the past has resulted in those same "wealthy" moving out of state and thus will not pay any more taxes in Connecticut.  That means much lower tax revenues to help support the excesses of our state government.
What does this all mean?  In my economic opinion more of the same.  Connecticut still has a spending problem even with this supposed union concessions package that does little to address excessively high wages, benefits and pensions.  We still over spend in both management and union salaries, benefits and pensions.  We have a Speaker of the House who is employed by a state union and whose only concern seems to be protecting the state unions and Connecticut Taxpayers be damned.   We have no vote on the Republican budget that would have addressed the serious economic issues we have in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Democrat Party again does not understand the magnitude of the economic crisis that the state faces.  Its only concern is to nurture and protect its unions and political ruling class.  It has failed miserably in this legislative session.  The Connecticut Democrat Party is the cancer that has entrapped its hard working legal citizens into an economic morass of no escape.
Will this economic nightmare ever end for Connecticut Taxpayers?  And when will the Connecticut Democrat Party be held liable for the economic damage and turmoil it has done for this state?
Still no budget.  Why bother anyways?

July 15, 2017 and No Connecticut Budget

It is now July 15, 2017 and there is no new Connecticut budget.  Nor does it look like there will be one until possibly at the end of the month.  Nor does it seem that our elected officials really care if there is a budget until that time.  The new norm for governing in Connecticut is to do nothing.  Who really cares if the state has $80 to $100 billion dollars of short and long term debt and unfunded liabilities.  Who really cares if the bulk of the state budget now goes for payment of salaries, benefits and pensions for state management and union workers?  I estimate now 25% of the state budget goes for these payments.  Another 10% to 15% goes to debt payments.  And there is still massive debt in the horizon.
We as Connecticut Taxpayers understand we are entrapped by our state government in order to provide for the riches that are heaped upon those who have political connections.  For example why do state retirees get lifetime medical benefits?  Do you receive this in private industry?  Now don't get me wrong I know the Connecticut Democrat Party does not think they have done anything wrong with all of the years of their fiscal mismanagement and political nepotism.  It has been and looks like it will continue to be pay to play the political game even though Connecticut is bankrupt from the years of fiscally irresponsible spending and excessive salaries, benefits and pensions.  In following what our Governor and state legislators have been doing (or not doing) in this session, I wonder why they are even being paid for this debacle?  If this happened in private industry individuals would be fired not political rewarded with high paying positions like Former State Representative Stephen Dargan, D-West Haven with his $92,500 new job in the State Board of Pardons, former State Senator Rob Kane, R-Waterford with his new job as a Republican state auditor for $150,000 a year and former State Senator Eric Coleman, D-Bloomfield becoming a Judge for a mere $168,000 a year.  All funded by you and I Connecticut taxpayers.
Harsh economic decisions are made daily for economic survival by Taxpayers and Businesses that remain here in Connecticut.  Those same harsh economic decisions are avoided by the political elite who have run Connecticut into the ground. And all we hear out of Hartford is garbage and rhetoric.
Next Saturday will be July 22 and there will be no new Connecticut budget. And nobody really cares about it in Hartford any more anyways especially our elected officials.

July 8, 2017 and No Connecticut Budget

It is now July 8, 2017 and there is no new Connecticut budget.  Nor does it look like there will be one either even after July 18 the day after the state unions voted on their supposed concession package.  For we do not know whether or not the "concessions package" will be agreed upon by the Connecticut state labor unions.  We know the State Police union refuses to vote upon changes in their wage agreement in the form of a three year wage freeze they have stated they will only vote on benefit concessions.

The budget proposal that the Connecticut Democrat Party is force-feeding on Connecticut Taxpayers includes a 6.99% sales tax.  You wonder why it is not 7%?  Democrat Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz will not agree to 7% because then Connecticut would just as high as some other states, 6.99% qualifying as being lower than 7%. Connecticut then would rank below states like New Jersey and Rhode Island that charge 7%.  However, Democrat Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz wants to allow cities and towns to charge a 1 percent sales tax on food and drinks at bars, restaurants and other outlets for local revenue.  Thus the sales tax would be 7.99% with this added 1% local tax and be higher than New Jersey and Rhode Island.

My question is reviewing all of the concessions and yet even higher taxes is how is this closing the state budget deficit because the combined supposed savings and increases in tax revenue does not match the budget deficit?  And why wasn't spending cut?  And why wasn't there any discussion in cutting the excessively high salaries, benefits and pensions for state management workers?   

And why can't the balanced budget that was presented by the Republicans that did not enact any new taxes be brought up for a vote in either the House or Senate?

Thus another Connecticut Democrat Party budget that offers higher spending and higher taxes.   Nothing new here.  Democrat Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz in his position as a state union employee places the self-interests of the union over the financial needs of the state.  Nothing new here either.  There was no bipartisanship in this budget.  What the Connecticut Democrat Party dictates to Connecticut Taxpayers is what we get.   

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Next Saturday will be July 15 and there will be no new Connecticut budget. Nobody really cares about it in Hartford any more anyways. 

241 Years of Freedom July 4, 1776 - July 4, 2017

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

July 1, 2017 and No Connecticut Budget

July 1, 2017 and there is no new Connecticut budget.  Nor does it look like there will be one voted upon until July 18 the day after the state unions voted on their supposed concession package.
There was a balanced budget that was presented by the Republicans that did not enact any new taxes and could not be brought up for a vote in either the House or Senate.  I wonder why?  Since it is apparent that the Connecticut Democrat Party runs the Legislature as a dictatorship taxpayers have to wonder why is our Legislature this dysfunctional to the point that an economically rational budget proposal could not allowed to be voted upon? Democrat Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz now has the audacity to wait until July 18 to vote on a budget since the state unions are supposedly voting on a concession package on July 17.  And my question to Democrat Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz is what happens if the state unions of which he is a member of do not agree to any concessions?  And the Democrat Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz's budget proposal includes higher taxes.
Connecticut Taxpayers recognize clearly that those management and union workers who are employed by the state rule our state government with an iron hand. These small minority of state employees in proportion to the roughly 3,591,000 people who still live in Connecticut have wreaked economic havoc through their spoils system of excessively high salaries, benefits and pensions.  And this issue of excessively high salaries, benefits and pensions for both state management and union workers has still not been addressed in this legislative session.Thus the 2017 Connecticut legislative session ended as it started with a high budget deficit and no reforms to the high salaries, benefits and pensions paid out for both state management and union workers.  More of the same stale rhetoric spewed by the Connecticut Democrat Party.
I have to hand it to the Democrat Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz in that in his position as a state union employee he places the self-interests of the union over the financial needs of the state.   Plus there is no conflict of interest for him either being a member of a state union along with being the Speaker of the House.  Are Connecticut Taxpayers really that stupid to believe that there is no conflict of interest in this arrangement?  Are Connecticut taxpayers that stupid to believe also the State Ethics Commission overlooks this arrangement and sees no conflict of interest?
Connecticut Taxpayers are overtaxed.  And with a new high tax budget to be voted upon in the near future with no reforms they got more of the same.  More spending, more taxes and more spoils system for state workers.
It just never ends here in Connecticut.  Connecticut should change its nickname from the "Constitution State"  to the "Debt Ridden Dictatorship State".  All thanks to the Connecticut Democrat Party who does not care in any way, shape or form of how far Connecticut has fallen economically over the past 26 years.

Connecticut's Spending Problem

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

Connecticut Does Not Have A Budget

Oh well Connecticut doesn’t have a budget.  A special session has to be called and paid for by Connecticut Taxpayers to resume the secret and public budget negotiations that apparently now include the Republican Party members of the Legislature.  The situation is critical, as Connecticut’s debt grows daily.  Thus what is the solution?

Governor Malloy who crafted two of the largest tax increases in the states history has stated he is ready to run the state without a budget.  All this does is increase the states short-term debt, as it must borrow more money to pay for the day-to-day operations of the state.  Is he crafting now the third largest tax increase in the states history?

There are the constant discussions with labor union for more concessions.  I have heard little as to any concessions from management state workers to help out in this crisis.  For example why our Judges entitled to a full pension after serving for five years?  Why hasn’t the management pension structure been discussed?  Why hasn’t the management salary and benefits structure been discussed? 

Why does the only discussion fall upon raising existing taxes and or creating new taxes for Connecticut Taxpayers?

The Republican proposal addresses some of the issues that the state is facing economically.  It receives little analysis from the states media and seems to be brushed over as not a realistic solution.  The Connecticut Democrat Party now wants bipartisanship on the budget after seeing how their solutions have failed the state and is very worried about their chances for perpetual reelection in 2018.

Thus there continues to be a stalemate.  One side wants more and new taxes versus an overhaul on both union and management salaries, benefits and pensions that are no longer sustainable.  Each side fighting for their stale rhetoric while Connecticut Taxpayers continue to flee the state.  Connecticut is failing while our elected officials posture themselves for their next political payout.

Thus what is the answer?  Connecticut Taxpayers are longing for some coherent leadership to emanate out of Hartford.  For this Legislative session we again see the name calling, union talking points, passing the blame, economic illiteracy and largesse for both union and management workers that define our state government.

I guess again nothing changes for Connecticut Taxpayers who fund this debacle.

It Is Time To Take Back Connecticut In 2018.

Connecticut's Taxpayers Are Serfs In A Serfdom

I have taught economics for many years now.  I continue to be amazed at the lack of basic economics understanding by Connecticut's elected governmental officials and governmental workers.  Especially when it comes to who actually pays for Connecticut's government, its programs, salaries, benefits and pensions.  Thus I feel and many will agree with me that Connecticut's Taxpayers are serfs in a serfdom.
The bulk of the costs of operating Connecticut's government fall directly upon its Taxpayers.  Connecticut's Taxpayers pay a very high rate of taxes in the form of a high state income tax, high and far reaching sales taxes that are implemented on a massive amount of goods and services, a high gasoline tax in both per gallon measurement and on a supposed gross earnings basis, high property taxes if one owns a house, car or boat and numerous fees of all sorts on all types of vendors, professions and activities.  The list of what Connecticut's Taxpayers pay for and on seems endless.  Connecticut's government also receives federal funding for some programs that to me is just a redistribution of the large array of federal taxes that Connecticut's Taxpayers pay each year to our federal government.
Thus the one-two-three punch and impact of local, state and federal taxes that Connecticut's Taxpayers must pay each year for the authorization to be allowed in live in a town or city here in Connecticut is excessively high given what our state government provides for Connecticut's Taxpayers.
For example Connecticut's Taxpayers must endure a massive bureaucracy when dealing with its Department of Motor Vehicles.  Waits of hours on end are a norm for this inefficient state agency that Connecticut's Taxpayers must pay for.  The upper level management of Connecticut's DMV is an example of how Connecticut's political elite and patron age system works with high paying jobs being anointed for those who are ill qualified for their jobs.  The DMV is one agency that could and should be privatized to save Connecticut's Taxpayers money.
The state along with its cities and towns must submit to an antiquated system of binding arbitration for union contracts that are not agreed upon in negotiations.  Thus an impartial arbitrator is authorized to resolve the disagreement between the cities and or towns and the union by ordering a final and binding decision that cannot be changed.  This has created a situation whereby many cities and towns must fear any and all union contract negotiations since if they can't come up with an agreement it goes to arbitration and those same cities and towns normally lose.  Thus they will agree to anything these unions ask for and agree to the contract thus avoiding the costs of binding arbitration.  This drives up the costs of local and state government here in Connecticut.  It should be eliminated immediately.
Connecticut controls the beer, wine and spirits market to prop up small "Mom and Pop" liquor stores  in the state at the expense of the consumer who pay much higher prices for their beer, wine and spirits as compared to other states.  Why does this still exist in 2017?  Due to this retail industry having a strong lobbying group in Hartford that forces the basic laws of supply and demand to be eliminated for the consumer who must pay high prices.  These price controls should be eliminated and the free market should be allowed to occur when a consumer wants to buy these products.  If small stores that are not run economically efficiently go out of business the markets correct themselves.  Doesn't this occur in other industries in Connecticut?  Why is this market so special?
Connecticut has an amendment that was legally voted upon for a constitutional spending cap.  Connecticut's Democrat Attorney General ruled this legal amendment non-binding and illegal.  Why? 
Connecticut's Taxpayers must pay for a bloated salary, benefit and pension system to support Connecticut state government union and management workers.  Depending upon the position one can get a high state pension for life after as little as five years of working.  Some state positions pay a pension for those workers who have not contributed one penny to their pensions.  Some positions allow for you to add the reimbursements of miles driven to your pension calculation.   I ask is this fair and economically rational to burden Connecticut's Taxpayers in this manner?
Connecticut's unfunded liabilities and short and long-term debt is $80 to $100 billion dollars owed with no end in sight.  Connecticut's Taxpayers are burdened with this debt with no solutions being proposed.  Connecticut's Taxpayers must accept this without question.
There is a massive decline in Connecticut due to the nurturing and enhancement of a political ruling class that consists of our elected officials and union and management state government workers especially since the enactment of the state income tax in 1991.  Since 1991 Connecticut has been in a perpetual decline with losses in business, jobs and population at a frightening pace due to excessively high taxes.  And the spiral still continues in 2017 with an ineffective state legislature and Governor whose only concerns seem to continuing to enrich the political hierarchy and state union and management workers.  26 years of a self induced economic debacle due to our elected officials making poor economic decisions on a daily basis.
Connecticut's Taxpayers are serfs in serfdom.  Connecticut's Taxpayers must pay an unlimited amount of taxes and are bonded and enslaved to their meager properties to support the manorial system of Connecticut's political ruling elite and its union and management workers.  Connecticut's Taxpayers end their bondage to the state by moving out and in many cases never coming back.  Connecticut's Taxpayers are sick of supporting a ruling elite minority who hide and disregard the laws and constitution of Connecticut for their personal enrichment. Talk is cheap and we continue to hear the cheap talk of Connecticut's ruling elite over and over again.  Connecticut's Taxpayers are serfs in serfdom.   I want my freedom again.

Connecticut's Economic Mess Continues

Connecticut has a dysfunctional government.  It is illogical and irrational.  Its only concern is to maintain a high level of salaries, benefits and pensions for both its union and management workers.  It is poor in providing functional and efficient services for Connecticut Taxpayers that Connecticut Taxpayers must pay for.  One can look to the inefficient and dysfunctional Department of Motor Vehicles as an example of the true ineptness of our state agencies.  Our state government nurtures a climate of political patronage and corruption funded on the broken backs of the overtaxed Connecticut Taxpayer.  And our elected officials in particular especially the elitist and omnipotent Connecticut Democrat Party are in total denial that there is anything wrong with this reality.
Our state is in and has been and will be for the near future in an economic catastrophe that the Connecticut Democrat Party has nurtured and promoted for years now.
And in 2017 we see no difference as the Connecticut Democrat Party wants still more spending and more taxes to resolve our now annual economic crisis.  The Connecticut Democrat Party really does not care about anything other than preserving the political status quo of patronage and corruption paid for by you and I the Connecticut Taxpayer.
Thus do we have any solutions to our economic mess?  None that I can really see any more as we are told constantly that we have a problem with taxpayers and businesses continuing to move out of state due to a poor business climate, a poor infrastructure, excessively high workers compensation costs and excessively high taxes yet we will continue to raise and create new taxes so that this trend just continues over and over again.  No answers are provided either by the elitists in Hartford to resolve our alarming debt crisis which is ballooning daily.  Our short and long debt along with unfunded liabilities is fast approaching $100 billion dollars with no end in sight.  And no plan to pay it off.
The 2017 legislative session is turning out to be just like every one since Dan Malloy took office.  More and higher taxes, more and higher state spending, more economic garbage thrown at Connecticut Taxpayers.  The carnage needs to stop at some point. 

Happy Tax Freedom Day Connecticut Taxpayers Sunday May 21, 2017

Tax Freedom Day for Connecticut Taxpayers is May 21, 2017.  This is the day that Connecticut Taxpayers stop working to pay all of their local, state and federal tax burdens.  The date that we stop paying our taxes is dead last in the country as Connecticut Taxpayers have the highest tax burden in the country.  With the high taxes Connecticut Taxpayers pay now they will also be dealing with even more and higher taxes in 2017 as the state has a $5 billion dollar budget deficit along with an estimated $68 to $100 billion dollars of unfunded liabilities and short and long term bond obligations.  I am not able to obtain a "real" number for our unfunded liabilities and short and long term bonds obligations since it seems to be a secret in Hartford.  Therefore I estimate this number as best as I can. 
Economic reality is harsh for Connecticut Taxpayers since they are despised by the Connecticut Democrat Party for questioning the excesses of state employee salaries, pensions and benefits for both union and management workers.  These costs are out of control and part of our debt issues. The elitism political game that the Connecticut Democrat Party plays along with along with the total disregard for allowing the minority the Republican Party to be part of the legislative process has nurtured the economic demise of our state.
Thus in a state desperate for real economic solutions to its massive debt, lack of jobs and net migration of people out of Connecticut, the Connecticut Democrat Party turns to the norm new and higher taxes to solve this yearly crisis.
Look for a much longer Tax Freedom Day for Connecticut Taxpayers in 2018.
Look for much higher and new taxes in 2018.
Look for more people moving out of Connecticut in 2018.
Look for more Connecticut Democrat Party political appointments to high salary, pension and benefits jobs in 2018.
Look for more state credit downgrades in 2018.
Look for much more state borrowing in 2018.
Look for much higher property taxes in 2018.
And finally look for?  What I no longer know.  Connecticut has become a ruined state economically compliments of our state government led for too long by the Omnipotent  Connecticut Democrat Party.

Connecticut's Debt Downgraded-Oh Well Let's Borrow More!

Oh well!  Connecticut's Debt got downgraded again by Fitch Ratings, Inc.  No big deal to drop now to A+ from AA-- meaning that the state will pay higher interest rates to borrow money.  No big deal since it is now only the fourth downgrade since last May.  No big deal that the Moody's Rating Agency has given Connecticut a "negative" outlook.  All this means for Connecticut Taxpayers is that is will cost more money in interest payments for the massive debt Connecticut has.  It is difficult to obtain actual figures as to how much short and long term debt and liabilities the state has.  I estimate it to be a mere $60 to $80 billion dollars.  That is an incredible amount for a state as small as Connecticut.  However given our current Omnipotent One Party Rule in Hartford it is not surprising.
Connecticut with the blessings of Governor Malloy borrowed another $1.5 billion dollars in bonds yesterday for all sorts of pet projects both current and past further increasing Connecticut's massive debt load.  It was refreshing to see Sen. Scott Frantz of Greenwich and Rep. Chris Davis of Ellington disagreeing with this additional borrowing only to be ridiculed by Governor Malloy.
Some new projects that will be funded with your tax monies include:
from http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/Agenda_May12_2017.pdf
$121.2 million for upgrades to state office buildings, courthouses, prisons, and vocational-technical schools; Connecticut Valley Hospital; the Veterans’ Home and Hospital in Rocky Hill; and for a new parking garage at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport.
$78.3 million for transportation project planning and maintenance.
$34.7 million in grants and loans for business expansion-which businesses are unknown by reading the agenda.
$19.8 million for improvements to the business district in Hartford’s North End.
$19.1 million for affordable housing and emergency mortgage assistance programs.
Connecticut continues to run a deficit and is in a fiscal crisis.  Our elected officials response is continue spend money.  To continue to borrow money at a higher cost.
Fiscal conservatism does not exist in our state.  Face it Connecticut is bankrupt and will be for the foreseeable future.  Thanks to our ruling political elite.