All across the country, state governments are dealing with rising expenses and declining revenues. California has gotten the most attention over the last several years as their budget deficit grew to historic proportions. Even after raising taxes and cutting spending, the state is still facing massive problems. California, as we know here, is not alone.
The latest projection from state Comptroller Nancy Wyman pegs a deficit of $624 million for fiscal year 2010, which ends next June 30. Gov. Rell has used her statutory authority to reduce spending (see her press release and a list of her rescissions), but has said that the legislature must work with her to develop a comprehensive deficit mitigation plan. So far, Democratic leadership has not been inclined to return to Hartford to deal with the growing deficit.
The budget that was passed by the legislature and went into law without the Governor’s signature clearly had many problems built in, given the one shot revenues, borrowing, etc. But in less than two months, that budget is already over a half billion dollars out of whack, and Moody’s has given the state a negative outlook. The difficult decisions that were put off during the 2009 session are right back at the doorstep of the legislature. Whether it’s now or in February, the hard work of keeping the budget in balance and growing our economy must be addressed, and addressed with a sense or urgency. We don’t want to be California.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
The Democrats in the legislature need to realize the difference between “need to have” being different than “nice to have”! The state employee unions are major contributors to the Democrats, therefore their strong resistance to cut any CT programs or jobs.
Also, CT government bureaucrats work a 35 hour week and get significantly more fringe benefits, holidays, retirement benefits and so forth than those in the private sector doing similar jobs. Bureaucrats also are paid regardless of results.
CT government and bureaucracies are bloated requiring more people to provide a given function than similar work by the private sector. The only exception from my viewpoint is the State Police and Corrections department due to the high number of miscreants and aggressive drivers.
CT government, agencies and functions must become much more leaner to resolve the budget shortfall.
Private contracting of D.O.T road repairs, snow plowing, mowing grass highway medians and so forth would be far more cost efficient. Also, jobs doing D.O.T. road maintenece work would be paying taxes, not just consuming tax money.
Until major efficiencies are made to include cut costs and reduce onerous regulations, businesses will continue to leave with examples being Pratt & Whitney Cheshire and Pfizer in Groton. A North Carolina site now look very tempting for us!
Respectfully submitted,
Jon Sibley
The Sibley Co.
Haddam, CT 06438