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Connecticut needs good government reform, fiscal discipline, level playing field
Since I moved to the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, Connecticut, from the Mt. Vernon section of Alexandria, Virginia, three years ago, I have been impressed with the people and the quality of life in Connecticut. At the same time, in addition to the high cost-of-living, I have discovered three shocking facts that serve to threaten the state’s financial future and domestic tranquility.
The first is that a loophole in a state law passed in the early 1990s has resulted in some city and town employees serving on their respective city and town councils, even if it is contrary to the city or town charter that was ratified by local voters. This is a direct violation of basic good governance principles, especially given the huge and readily apparent conflicts of interest in situations when such individuals express their views and vote on city/town budget and labor contract matters. Fortunately, HB 5724, which is designed to close the current loophole, is currently pending in the state legislature. It is critically important that citizens encourage their elected officials to support this nonpartisan and good government bill. After all, poor governance practices in cities and towns can force the state to assume additional local obligations over time. The result would be even higher taxes for all Connecticut taxpayers.
The second point relates to the fact that Connecticut has the highest liabilities and unfunded promises per taxpayer of all 50 states. This is due largely to huge underfunded pension plans and unfunded retiree health obligations. This fact combined with the state’s relatively poor economic performance and job creation record means that, absent truly transformational reforms, Connecticut’s already high taxes are likely to increase.
Third, Connecticut is one of only two states in the union that does not have county government. The result is that Connecticut has become a land of disparities. This is particularly true in connection with Connecticut’s K-12 education system and local property tax burdens. While I do not advocate adding another layer of government, voluntary regional agreements are needed in order to provide government services in a more economical and efficient manner. In addition, in the absence of county government, the state needs to step up and address some of these disparities before the resulting inequities threaten the state’s domestic tranquility.
David M. Walker
Former U.S. Comptroller General
Bridgeport
Citizens 4 A Better Bridgeport
The first is that a loophole in a state law passed in the early 1990s has resulted in some city and town employees serving on their respective city and town councils, even if it is contrary to the city or town charter that was ratified by local voters. This is a direct violation of basic good governance principles, especially given the huge and readily apparent conflicts of interest in situations when such individuals express their views and vote on city/town budget and labor contract matters. Fortunately, HB 5724, which is designed to close the current loophole, is currently pending in the state legislature. It is critically important that citizens encourage their elected officials to support this nonpartisan and good government bill. After all, poor governance practices in cities and towns can force the state to assume additional local obligations over time. The result would be even higher taxes for all Connecticut taxpayers.
The second point relates to the fact that Connecticut has the highest liabilities and unfunded promises per taxpayer of all 50 states. This is due largely to huge underfunded pension plans and unfunded retiree health obligations. This fact combined with the state’s relatively poor economic performance and job creation record means that, absent truly transformational reforms, Connecticut’s already high taxes are likely to increase.
Third, Connecticut is one of only two states in the union that does not have county government. The result is that Connecticut has become a land of disparities. This is particularly true in connection with Connecticut’s K-12 education system and local property tax burdens. While I do not advocate adding another layer of government, voluntary regional agreements are needed in order to provide government services in a more economical and efficient manner. In addition, in the absence of county government, the state needs to step up and address some of these disparities before the resulting inequities threaten the state’s domestic tranquility.
David M. Walker
Former U.S. Comptroller General
Bridgeport
Citizens 4 A Better Bridgeport
posted by Matt DeRienzo at
2:38 PM
1 Comments:
David Walker has got it right for the most part. The first part is easy, just change the law. The employer should not be governed by the employee. The second part is not so easy, but we need to shift all employees to defined contribution pension plans and not defined benefit. This shift has happened across private industry over the last 30 years. The third part is not easy, in part because through the use of the state income tax, educational funding has already been provided to the impoverished cities, at the expense of suburban taxpayers, with no appreciable improvement in performance or results. So throwing more good money after bad may not address these issues.
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