Governor Rell goes nuts

[beerbeer]

Politicians love to spend billions on education while there is no correlation between spending and excellence.

Here in DC, we spend more per capita on students than anyone except for one system (that would be #2 in education spending) and we have one of the worst school systems in the country.

Enjoy the tax hikes, and enjoy the companies leaving the state to avoid them.

[JayHass]

Politicians love to spend billions on education while there is no correlation between spending and excellence.

Here in DC, we spend more per capita on students than anyone except for one system (that would be #2 in education spending) and we have one of the worst school systems in the country.

Enjoy the tax hikes, and enjoy the companies leaving the state to avoid them.

[Whaler0718]

Don't remind me...I've already made a post about this in the main CT forum.

[robm324]

The federal government cut taxes. Did people notice it? Not most ... because the feds also cut funding to state governments, who in turn reduced aid to municipalities, who in turn raised property taxes. The property tax system, which is driven by education, is what is wrong with Connecticut. The governor's plan will shift taxes by relieving municipalities, which, in turn, will not continue to raise their property taxes, as they have done every year. Big picture folks.

[GHartford]

The federal government cut taxes. Did people notice it? Not most ... because the feds also cut funding to state governments, who in turn reduced aid to municipalities, who in turn raised property taxes. The property tax system, which is driven by education, is what is wrong with Connecticut. The governor's plan will shift taxes by relieving municipalities, which, in turn, will not continue to raise their property taxes, as they have done every year. Big picture folks.

[beerbeer]

GHartford, do you really believe this?

" Yes, I do think that towns will look to lower property taxes , especially if the residents demand it. If this tax shift means basically just a shift from local to state taxes and provides the benefits of easing pressure to gain municipal revenue through property taxes, what is wrong with it? Good work Governor Rell. "

My guess is you are too young to pay any meaningful taxes.

[Whaler0718]

GHartford, do you really believe this?

" Yes, I do think that towns will look to lower property taxes , especially if the residents demand it. If this tax shift means basically just a shift from local to state taxes and provides the benefits of easing pressure to gain municipal revenue through property taxes, what is wrong with it? Good work Governor Rell. "

My guess is you are too young to pay any meaningful taxes.

[GHartford]

GHartford, do you really believe this?

" Yes, I do think that towns will look to lower property taxes , especially if the residents demand it. If this tax shift means basically just a shift from local to state taxes and provides the benefits of easing pressure to gain municipal revenue through property taxes, what is wrong with it? Good work Governor Rell. "

My guess is you are too young to pay any meaningful taxes.

[beerbeer]

Well, then how can you be so naive?

[drc72]

The federal government cut taxes. Did people notice it? Not most ... because the feds also cut funding to state governments, who in turn reduced aid to municipalities, who in turn raised property taxes. The property tax system, which is driven by education, is what is wrong with Connecticut. The governor's plan will shift taxes by relieving municipalities, which, in turn, will not continue to raise their property taxes, as they have done every year. Big picture folks.

[GHartford]

Well, then how can you be so naive?

[GHartford]

Man if you think think property taxes are gonna stabilize or go down, you will be sorely disappointed!!!! Taxes only go one way UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hasn't the government already spent trillions over the years on education and yet it doesn't seem like things are any better. I could of sworn Rell was a Republican, now she's the Democrats dream come true!!!!

[drc72]

I'm not sure which level of government you are referring to, but yes, government has spent a good deal on PUBLIC EDUCATION over the years. Did you know that public schools are funded through taxes? It is one of the foundations of this fine country, just as much as personal freedom and the second ammendment. We can go into the problem of educational inequality at a later date. I certainly agree that simply throwing money at the problem will not fix it. But not adequately funding education certainly won't either.

[JayHass]

That's right. We need to stop red flagging any proposal that raises some taxes. Rell's budget looks to eliminate some taxes, like the auto property and estate (which I disagree with by the way) and raise others (income tax). Having the state take on more of the bill for municipal education costs makes sense. Towns and cities now won't have to rely quite as heavily on local property taxes which forces the type of development most people on this board hate. Yes, I do think that towns will look to lower property taxes , especially if the residents demand it. If this tax shift means basically just a shift from local to state taxes and provides the benefits of easing pressure to gain municipal revenue through property taxes, what is wrong with it? Good work Governor Rell. A forward thinking idea.

[Luca Brasi]

It wasn't too long ago that the state didn't have:

1. Casino money

2. State income tax

3. Lotto funds

Where is all the cash going? On another note, speaking of education - Hartford spends more per student than any other town in CT except one. Does any think that maybe throwing more money at the problem is not going to help? Come on... the problem lies elsewhere.

[HartfordTycoon]

"First of all, she's all wet," Amann said of Rell. "We raised too many taxes already or else we wouldn't have a surplus. Somebody's being overtaxed, and I think the governor should understand that. I don't need to be lectured by someone who was part of the Rowland-Rell administration. Give me a break!"

....said the Democrat to the Republican. Wow, the world has turned on it' head....

Courant Article - Rell vs Amann

I agree with Amann. Rell should have had the guts to be honest during the election about her tax plans. I just do not like her at all.

[drc72]

"First of all, she's all wet," Amann said of Rell. "We raised too many taxes already or else we wouldn't have a surplus. Somebody's being overtaxed, and I think the governor should understand that. I don't need to be lectured by someone who was part of the Rowland-Rell administration. Give me a break!"

....said the Democrat to the Republican. Wow, the world has turned on it' head....

Courant Article - Rell vs Amann

I agree with Amann. Rell should have had the guts to be honest during the election about her tax plans. I just do not like her at all.

[GHartford]

Well, at least I know how all the wackadoodles keep getting elected year after year.

Education cost money! Of course! Our schools are in shambles, students don't have the proper supplies, the facilities are old and crumbling but 100K salaries for all board members and binding arbitration with 3% guaranteed raises and lifetime pensions and free medical care for all! WOOOHOOO

If you think this state isn't overtaxed and the "working middleclass" is far overburdened, then you are either A. An inheritance/trust fund baby who doesn't give a rip, B. Make enough that a 10% tax increase on your salary really doesn't mean squat, or C. So far left it can be considered a mental disease.

1 out of 4 workers in the state are on your tax dollars. That can not be sustained. Period.

[GHartford]

It wasn't too long ago that the state didn't have:

1. Casino money

2. State income tax

3. Lotto funds

Where is all the cash going? On another note, speaking of education - Hartford spends more per student than any other town in CT except one. Does any think that maybe throwing more money at the problem is not going to help? Come on... the problem lies elsewhere.

[redbaron]

Can I at least get an arena out of this tax increase? That would put my mind at ease...

As for Amann.... Whatever the governer's budget address was going to be of course he would be against it... Nobody likes a tax increase, but didn't the Democrats force Rowland into the same increase four years ago...

[Whaler0718]

I actually love the fact that Rell rode into the governorship on a waive of popularity by doing, literally, nothing, and now's she's made history with a really bold move, and one that nobody would've pegged a Republican, let alone her, to do. I'm glad she never said anything about it until the speech, but that's because I believe in the trustee form of government. We don't have state-wide referrendums for a reason. Was it Aristotle that said the masses are incapable of governing themselves? Finally a governor who is doing what she thinks is right rather than what either the people or selfish interests are telling her to. Why do I say that? People are rational, but can only see about a month ahead; long-term planning just doesn't work in a democracy ... unless someone like Rell is willing to put it all on the line when in office. The best kind of governor in my mind would be one who isn't worried about reelection. And that seems to be Rell. Ever notice that most presidents do better in their second terms?! Clinton is the perfect example. He could've one a third term precisely because he wasn't allowed to run for one.

[beerbeer]

Most Presidents have scandals that handicap them in their second term. Reagan had Iran/Contra, Clinton had Lewinsky. Bush had the Palme affair. Most second term Presidents are treated like lame ducks. History does not support Presidents doing better in their second terms. It's just the opposite.

BTW, if Presidents could have a third term (an awful idea), the folks would still be voting for Reagan.

[jcrc]

It wasn't too long ago that the state didn't have:

1. Casino money

2. State income tax

3. Lotto funds

Where is all the cash going? On another note, speaking of education - Hartford spends more per student than any other town in CT except one. Does any think that maybe throwing more money at the problem is not going to help? Come on... the problem lies elsewhere.

I agree with this.

Money certainly does not translate into better education and often doesn't even translate into real resources for students and teachers. Low expectations are a bigger part of the problem. However, in a poverty sticken school system like Hartford, there is no denying that schools require more resources than in other communities.

[JayHass]

Ok, let's make a big assumption here, let's say the income tax increase is offset by decrease in property tax, the net effect for property owners is zero,

[JayHass]

And who did you vote for? I did not vote for Governor Rell. So who is the wackadoodle?