By Matt Clyburn
Governor Dannel Malloy made an appearance in New Britain last Tuesday for the fifteenth of 17 town hall-style meetings with the public.
Malloy hoped to gather views and opinions from the public that might improve his plan that calls for $1.5 billion in tax increases, but said that none were innovative enough to solve the projected deficit of more than $3 billion.
“I [have] yet to find somebody who says, you know, that they actually have a way better,” Malloy said.
The governor spent some time at the beginning of the town hall describing features of the budget plan.
“No borrowing of money to cover operating expenses, it’s not good policy, in fact it’s horrendous policy,” Malloy said after acknowledging the unbalanced budget former Governor Jodi Rell gave to his administration in February.
“These types of forums are the heart and soul of American democracy,” New Britain Mayor Tim Stewart said in his introduction of the governor. “I think the governor deserves recognition for taking his message directly to the people.”
Stewart recently lost an election to CCSU alumna Theresa Gerratana in a bid to represent New Britain, Berlin and parts of Farmington in the State Senate. The unsuccessful run came to a close less than a week after Malloy’s budget announcement.
Stewart now faces his own budget shortfalls as the Hardware City’s mayor, though Malloy said last week that he will not pass the state’s financial difficulties on to municipalities.
“We also refuse to balance our budget on the backs of New Britain or other communities by passing cuts in the state expenditure,” Malloy said.
Malloy compared the state to the deep cuts taking place in New York and New Jersey, saying that Connecticut is already too dependent on high property taxes.
“How would our balancing the budget [by raising property taxes] help this community, or for that matter any community in Connecticut?” Malloy said. “We are more dependent on property taxes than any other state in the nation.”
Malloy faced a skeptical audience in New Britain that challenged the governor on issues ranging from government policy to health care.
“I think that you have put a lot of creative thinking in the decisions you’re making related to the budget, but I don’t think that there has been a lot of critical thinking,” one resident said.
Another resident and state employee expressed concerns about the ability to pay in the face or tax increases and concessions.
“I actually believe this is the right framework,” Malloy said. “I know how difficult it is for you and your child in college…I know how difficult it is for me to face people like you.”
Malloy said that there will not be a ‘one size fits all’ budget solution.
“What I think we’re trying to do is find the right way, but if you have a specific cut you want me to be aware…we’ll be happy to take a look at it,” Malloy said. “I don’t think there’s a perfect way to do it.”
“This is the package. The rudiments are there. We just have to find our way as a state to get there,” Malloy said. “If we do, then ultimately we’ll begin the process of building confidence in our state for the first time in many years.”
