Who's better for Hartford: Rell or DeStefano?

[Theophrastus Bombastus]

I think DeStefano would be terrible for Hartford - too parochial and tied to the NH / shoreline area.

[runawayjim]

I think DeStefano would be terrible for Hartford - too parochial and tied to the NH / shoreline area.

you know what? whoever you get is gonna be tied to some area.

[MadVlad]

the point is that your taxes aren't really worse than your neighboring states. in fact, they're better than some of them.

But the real point is they aren't competitive enough with Southern/Western States. We need some real tax incentives for business' and residents to really want to call Hartford and CT home. If we're better than RI and NJ, great! But we need to do better than that. We need to be creative and make something happen on that front so we don't end up last, or even in the bottom 10 of all these growth lists.

[spatulashack]

But the real point is they aren't competitive enough with Southern/Western States. We need some real tax incentives for business' and residents to really want to call Hartford and CT home. If we're better than RI and NJ, great! But we need to do better than that. We need to be creative and make something happen on that front so we don't end up last, or even in the bottom 10 of all these growth lists.

Everyone WANTS lower taxes! The issue is that lowering taxes takes money away from programs that benefit the state and the money has to come from somewhere. Sure I want lower taxes but I also want free rent and diamond shoes! The fact that CT is such a wealthy state and has lower taxes than NJ and RI means that there is no rush to be lowering taxes.

[runawayjim]

Everyone WANTS lower taxes! The issue is that lowering taxes takes money away from programs that benefit the state and the money has to come from somewhere. Sure I want lower taxes but I also want free rent and diamond shoes! The fact that CT is such a wealthy state and has lower taxes than NJ and RI means that there is no rush to be lowering taxes.

exactly... i'm sure CT offers much more than some of those southern states... remember, the state is not just for the businesses, it's also for the residents. if you kill the services for the residents, you'll probably lose population, which is much more of a deterent for growth than the tax issue.

[robm324]

In my opinion jobs and job creation is the most important thing. People move every day to go where the jobs are. Lowering taxes for businesses to make this as business friendly a climate as possible would spur growth in Hartford and CT as a whole.

[jcrc]

your neighbor to the east also has worse taxes than you. i can't tell you how much my taxes have increased since moving here (especially my car tax). sales tax here is 1% higher than in CT and if you go out to eat, you're paying an additional 1% making the taxes 8%. my taxes on my cell phone, cable, internet, and landline phone are also higher here than in CT.

CT taxes really aren't anywhere near as bad as they used to be. destefano would be good for CT, especially the cities. just look at what he's done for new haven. before he took office, you did not venture downtown. now downtown is hopping. he's got very progressive views on the major issues as well, and would probably be a supporter of gay marriage.

Why would DeStefano be good for Ct? So we can have tax rate like yours? Thanks, but no thanks. Downtown New Haven has more to do with Yale than any politician.

the point is that your taxes aren't really worse than your neighboring states. in fact, they're better than some of them.

And the best way to keep it this way is to not vote for DeStefano.

[jcrc]

exactly... i'm sure CT offers much more than some of those southern states... remember, the state is not just for the businesses, it's also for the residents. if you kill the services for the residents, you'll probably lose population, which is much more of a deterent for growth than the tax issue.

Urh most residents work for some sort of businesses, as employers and employees. Alienate businesses, they move elsewhere, with no job, residents move elsewhere too. I don't think Southern states with less social services are losing population, but it seems progressive North East states are losing population.

[drc72]

the point is that your taxes aren't really worse than your neighboring states. in fact, they're better than some of them.

I would like to keep it that way. Look DeStefano has already said he will raise taxes. Higher taxes is not good for our business climate period!!! If were gonna try to attract more businesses to the state, we need to remain competitve, and raising taxes will make us uncompetitive. Put simply, Destefano would be bad for both Hartford and CT in general.

[runawayjim]

I would like to keep it that way. Look DeStefano has already said he will raise taxes. Higher taxes is not good for our business climate period!!! If were gonna try to attract more businesses to the state, we need to remain competitve, and raising taxes will make us uncompetitive. Put simply, Destefano would be bad for both Hartford and CT in general.

you know all those dreams of having more rail? that will require higher taxes if the state helps subsidize it. you know all those highway projects going on (and future ones)? they require tax money. does the state have the money to do this or will it come at the expense of other programs?

[MadVlad]

you know all those dreams of having more rail? that will require higher taxes if the state helps subsidize it. you know all those highway projects going on (and future ones)? they require tax money. does the state have the money to do this or will it come at the expense of other programs?

Not all programs go on forever. At some point, money is freed up here or there. The Governor/Government needs to take a look at what's important, and what's not. The problem is they look at what's important to special interest groups, which isn't necessarily what's important to you and I. Using your theory, given time, our taxes will be 100% because more things will crop up, needing more money, meaning increases in tax rates, and so on and so on. Taxes don't always need to be raised for things and programs don't always need to be cut.

[runawayjim]

Not all programs go on forever. At some point, money is freed up here or there. The Governor/Government needs to take a look at what's important, and what's not. The problem is they look at what's important to special interest groups, which isn't necessarily what's important to you and I. Using your theory, given time, our taxes will be 100% because more things will crop up, needing more money, meaning increases in tax rates, and so on and so on. Taxes don't always need to be raised for things and programs don't always need to be cut.

you don't think destefano would eventually lower taxes? i don't know CT's situation... is the state in debt?

[jcrc]

you don't think destefano would eventually lower taxes? i don't know CT's situation... is the state in debt?

No. CT has a surplus.

[drc72]

you don't think destefano would eventually lower taxes? i don't know CT's situation... is the state in debt?

DeStefano lower taxes? Highly unlikely!!! A friend of mine lives in New Haven, and her taxes go up every year.

[runawayjim]

No. CT has a surplus.

did destefano say why he'd raise taxes or is that something from rell's attack ad?

DeStefano lower taxes? Highly unlikely!!! A friend of mine lives in New Haven, and her taxes go up every year.

and it's amazing how much faster new haven turned around than the other CT cities... go figure. well, bridgeport had the no-bid contracts with ganim, but destefano did it all cleanly.

[drc72]

did destefano say why he'd raise taxes or is that something from rell's attack ad?

He actually said it himself, although I'm sure Rell has said he will.

[runawayjim]

He actually said it himself, although I'm sure Rell has said he will.

does rell have a plan for CT or is she just saying what people want to hear (which is what it sounds like from what i've read about her)?

taxes aren't a bad thing, you know. nothing is free.

[jcrc]

did destefano say why he'd raise taxes or is that something from rell's attack ad?

In his web site, his used different terms for funding to pay for his proposed programs. It pretty much means one thing. I don't watch much TV, but my understanding is that Rell is not running an attacking campaign. I don't think DeStafano is running a dirty campaign either. The Senate race on the other hand is pretty rough.

[runawayjim]

In his web site, his used different terms for funding to pay for his proposed programs. It pretty much means one thing. I don't watch much TV, but my understanding is that Rell is not running an attacking campaign. I don't think DeStafano is running a dirty campaign either. The Senate race on the other hand is pretty rough.

i briefly read through some of the issues outlined on his site as i have to take off shortly. i'll read more later.

everything there is perfect as far as i'm concerned. sure, some of it might be political hogwash, but i do believe he stands for most of that and will push for it. honestly, i think anyone at this point who does not support gay marriage should be voted out as that's gonna be something big. and his universal healthcare plan sounds great as well... it's too bad he's in CT and not RI...

[jcrc]

does rell have a plan for CT or is she just saying what people want to hear (which is what it sounds like from what i've read about her)?

taxes aren't a bad thing, you know. nothing is free.

Rell does not have a grand vision to change CT for the better (or worse). CT as a whole is doing very well, we need to revive some old cities, but things are not falling apart as any challenger would have voters think.

[MadVlad]

Rell does not have a grand vision to change CT for the better (or worse). CT as a whole is doing very well, we need to revive some old cities, but things are not falling apart as any challenger would have voters think.

Here's what needs to be done in CT:

1) Help the cities: can be done different ways, both Rell and DeStefano are on the books as "wanting to help". Rell would lower taxes, DeStefano would raise them. Rell would support an Arena in Hartford, DeStefano, judging by New Haven, would hit the button on the HCC and build a flowerbed. Round goes to Rell.

2) Create a friendlier business climate: Neither get great marks, but DeStefano seems to lead back to raise taxes, business' don't like that. Round to Rell by default

3) Better Mass Transit: Rell at least has gotten the ball rolling with the NH/Htfrd/Spgfd Commuter line. DeStefano might be down for some transit, but I guarantee it's along the coast. And he'd raise taxes to do it. Round goes to Rell

4) Lower taxes: hehe, Round goes to Rell

5) More/better jobs: Rell would be a more business friendly Governor, but probably not more employee friendly. DeStefano I think supports the Unions when he can, but would raise taxes. I'm split, Round goes to no one

Looks to me like it's Rell by a landslide, at least in my World it is....

[drc72]

iit's too bad he's in CT and not RI...

You can have him!!! But seriously I agree with MadVlad, Rell would provide a more friendly business climate in CT. DeStefano just doesn't seem to grasp the real issues in my opinion. His ideas seem more half-baked, then anything else.

[HartfordTycoon]

Here's what needs to be done in CT:

1) Help the cities: can be done different ways, both Rell and DeStefano are on the books as "wanting to help". Rell would lower taxes, DeStefano would raise them. Rell would support an Arena in Hartford, DeStefano, judging by New Haven, would hit the button on the HCC and build a flowerbed. Round goes to Rell.

2) Create a friendlier business climate: Neither get great marks, but DeStefano seems to lead back to raise taxes, business' don't like that. Round to Rell by default

3) Better Mass Transit: Rell at least has gotten the ball rolling with the NH/Htfrd/Spgfd Commuter line. DeStefano might be down for some transit, but I guarantee it's along the coast. And he'd raise taxes to do it. Round goes to Rell

4) Lower taxes: hehe, Round goes to Rell

5) More/better jobs: Rell would be a more business friendly Governor, but probably not more employee friendly. DeStefano I think supports the Unions when he can, but would raise taxes. I'm split, Round goes to no one

Looks to me like it's Rell by a landslide, at least in my World it is....

I'm not sure what Destefano will do to get the Whalers back and I think Rell is on the right side of ths issue and getting a new arena built. I did want to point out that Destefano and the Dems supported a much more ambitious and comprehensive transit package which Rell did not support. this package included a rail link to Bradley. It would be nice to have that rail link to Hartford when the European service really picks up.

[JimSawhill]

Calm yourself. I never said that no one should own an SUV and my rant about SUV's and Minivans was just that, a rant. That being said, taxing people who own cars that slowly ruin the environment is not saying that you CAN'T own the SUV. It's just saying that you have to pay a little more for your ammenities. It makes more sense than a luxury car tax which no one seems to complain about.

beerbeer, I'd love to here more about why you hate taxes so much. I understand that most governments are corrupt and that the money is often wasted but the government taking in less money wouldn't stop them from wasting just as much and being just as corrupt. Taxes, when handled properly betters the greater good of the city or state. We just need someone to put the money to good use is all.

Mr Shack:

Are you a sciencist? If you are not -- please don't tell me that my SUV will destory the planet. Man can NOT destory Earth. besides the USA has more clean water now EVER. Do you think the air is worse now then in the 1600s - believe me I'd rather be cooking with natural gas then with cow dung.

Asking us to pay more in taxes because of the car we drive? You sound like a SOCIALIST!! I have as much right to drive what I want - without having the GOVERNMENT tell me to pay more - (and I do, when I fill up - at the moment in Florida 2.14.).

JimS

[JimSawhill]

Ahh yes... environmentalists are the enemy. When your children's children are living in smog surrounded by an explosion of natural disasters every week, I'm sure they will thank you.

Mr Shack:

America's air is Cleaner then most nations -- our water is cleaner -- and please we do NOT need people like you to tell us the we are the worst polluters on Earth. I like cooking with natural gas -- not COW DUNG. Do you cook with cow DUNG?

JimS

Why are you using a computer? Are you unaware of the environmental damage needed to create one? The plastic comes from crude oil. The metal must be mined. The power to run it comes from evil generating plants which could be coal or -gasp- nuclear. Get off that pollution inducing computer and teach your kids to learn using rocks and sticks. I'm sure they will thank ou.

beerbeer:

couldn't have said it better myself!! :-)

JimS