Matt Lesser, who represents Durham, Middlefield, Middletown, and Rockfall in the Connecticut General Assembly, is encouraging constituents to weigh in on the taxing and spending options being considered to address the state’s $3.5 billion budget deficit.
Lesser has set up an online survey , available on his legislative webpage. Survey participants are given choices as to what state spending they recommend being cut or protected and what taxes they think should be raised to help cover the very large budget deficit.
“Of course, I speak to constituents year-round and have a good idea of what's on their minds—but this survey is helping me get more detailed feedback,” said Lesser. “We have many difficult choices to make as we work getting the state’s finances in order—and I want to hear what my constituents really think we should do about the budget.”
Questions range from cutting or maintaining funding for seniors and veterans’ services to aid to public schools and fixing roads and bridges. On the revenue side, respondents can consider changes on income and sales taxes and even if they favor allowing the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
Lesser said that he is tabulating results as they come in, he was pleased with the number of responses.
Governor Malloy presented his 2012 budget to the Legislature on February 16th, the Legislature's Appropriations Committee has until April 26th to vote on this proposed budget. Malloy's budget raises taxes, cuts spending, and includes an assumption that unions will offer $1 billion in concessions. Malloy has said that he is working on a 'nasty and ugly' budget with more cuts in spending, in case he is unable to negotiate those concessions with the unions.
3 comments:
I hope others will fill out this poll. Not only will it give feedback to Matt Lesser, but the experience of filling out the poll makes it clear that tough choices need to be made. I wonder if someone (the Governor's office?) has created a poll that lets the participant use real figures and percentages that stack up to the amount needed to balance the budget, just as the NY Times did for the federal budget?
I'd like to know why the legislature voted to have their mileage cost added to their income to increase their retirement even though they are reimbursed for mileage. And, who is watching over the mileage numbers...sure to increase to effect retirement numbers..MATT?? What about a break for the taxayer?
John, there was a budget survey floating around last year which sounds similar. The problem with it was that there was only a cut spending option, no revenue generating options include. There is a whole other side to the balancing the budget equation that needs to be visited more seriously by our legislative body.
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