Democrats’ Budget Shell Game Continues...

Following my holiday greetings this afternoon a prominent Democratic representative quipped to me, “I hope Santa Claus comes to the Capitol.” I guess that is our only hope to address our budget crisis in Connecticut at this point given the majority Democratic leaders’ unwillingness to make the tough decisions.

Governor Rell called the legislature into a special session today to address a $337 million deficit in our current state budget. The deficit number is a moving target as no economist can predict Connecticut’s tax revenues for 2009. What is clear to all budget hawks at the Capitol is the deficit is growing and we will fall off another financial cliff in the next biennium budget.

The Democrats convened the Senate and House this morning and promptly adjourned without any action on the budget deficit. The night before Speaker Donovan held a press conference showing us how their budget shell game will play out:

• Blame the Governor for everything
• Claim the Governor’s proposal will kill 5,000 jobs in the state using fuzzy math
• Claim we can “save” $100 million by postponing payments to the state employees’ pension plan at a time we are already billions of dollars short in payments
• Create another “Blue Ribbon Commission” to study municipal aid and waste participants’ time developing a report with good ideas and then ignore the report

Santa Claus is a mighty fine fellow but he is not bringing billions of dollars to Connecticut Democrats for Christmas. Speaker Donovan and Senate President Williams have proven they are unwilling to make the tough decisions Connecticut’s taxpayers are demanding – CUT SPENDING!

Democrats Still Ignoring CT Government’s Red Ink

My prediction on September 24th was the Democrats in the Connecticut General Assembly were ignoring the state’s economic outlook when they proposed a budget over three months late. “The Democrats’ budget anticipates tax revenue that is unlikely to materialize during this global recession. What does that mean – our state budget is likely already running in a deficit – less than three months into a two-year budget. The Connecticut Office of Fiscal Analysis estimates 2012-2013 revenues will produce a deficit of over $6 BILLION!"

The Fiscal Year 2010 deficit is already $624 million according to the State Comptroller’s November 2nd estimates! This fact was entirely predictable when the Democrats ignored the reality of the record recession and assumed unrealistic tax and casino revenues. Thankfully, Governor Rell is committed to calling legislators back to the Capitol to address the ongoing budget crisis.

The Democrats’ budget just kicked the can down the road by failing to make any meaningful spending cuts. The Democrats’ budget relied on one-shot gimmicks, Obamabucks and over a billion dollars of new debt to balance the budget.

Late last month, Moody’s Investor Service downgraded the credit rating on Connecticut government’s debt, sending off alarm bells in the credit market and diminishing the state’s ability to sell bonds. Moody’s cited the new state budget’s overreliance on revenue from one-time gimmicks, borrowing, and wealthy tax payers whose income levels remain volatile.

When will the Democrats in Connecticut see the light? Connecticut government spending outpaced our taxpayer resident’s income by 64% since 1987! Connecticut government spending grew at such a rapid pace in the last 22 years that it far exceeded the growth of income for the resident’s who fund the government with their taxes.

Early in the 2009 legislative session I was excited to be appointed to a new commission created to identify potential improvements and efficiencies of our state government operations. I felt my experience with this process in local government could lend a unique perspective to the Commission on Enhancing Agency Outcomes (guvspeak acronym is CEAO). Now if we could just convince the Democratic majority leadership to seriously consider reinventing Connecticut state government’s operations we might actually reduce spending!

Residents of Connecticut expect more from their elected officials. Unfortunately, the Democrats hold a super majority in the Connecticut legislature and they still have their heads in the sand!

Running to the Keys...

Senator McLachlan’s remarks at a press conference this afternoon at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford:

I am pleased today to honor a community activist and author, Coach Doug Merrill. Coach Merrill is the founder of the Power UP Foundation which provides financial assistance to communities and programs promoting positive physical fitness and positive mental health. The Coach is in Hartford today on his way to Key West, Florida. He is participating in an historic run which began on October 4th in Boston and will end in April of 2010 in Key West, Florida. The run is part of an effort to raise $25 million for the Power UP Foundation.

Coach Merrill is author of the book “Fighting the Demon of Suicide.” The book is part of the inspiration for Coach Merrill’s run and focuses on conquering emotional stress and preventing the tragedy of suicide, particularly in youngsters. Coach Merrill has dedicated his life to this message as he resigned as a teacher and focuses solely on public speaking and writing. In the book Coach Merrill also outlines a ten-point plan on conquering mental illness and the “demons of mental depression.”

It is an honor for me to present this Governor’s Proclamation to Coach Merrill today. This historic run from Boston to Florida is a feat of tremendous strength, will and determination. His dedication to raising awareness, particularly in youngsters, about the need for positive mental health and fitness is a true inspiration and I wish him nothing but the best on the remainder of his journey.

During the six months of the run, Coach Merrill will run a ½ marathon (13.1 miles) each day. He will also stop along the way to speak with students at universities, colleges and high schools as well as community organizations to help promote positive mental health by improving physical activity. Programs across the country that promote positive mental and physical health would be eligible to apply for a grant from the foundation. The money that they would receive would assist their efforts to promote physical wellness.

I am pleased to report that Connecticut is focused on youth suicide prevention. The Connecticut Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Children and Families (DCF), Public Health, Education, and the Judicial Branch and the Connecticut State University System (CSU) are collaborating with the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC) to develop, implement, evaluate, and sustain statewide youth suicide prevention and early intervention.

Special thanks to our professionals that joined us today. Deanna Lia is the Director of Community Prevention and Early Intervention for Connecticut Department of Children and Families and chair of the Connecticut Youth Suicide Advisory Board. Carol Meredeth is Assistant Director for the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Prevention & Health Promotion Unit and is part of the Connecticut Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative.

Follow Coach Merrill’s “Run to the Keys” at the Power UP Foundation’s website

Connecticut Youth Suicide Advisory Board

Connecticut Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative






Coach Doug Merrill (l) is greeted by Senator Michael McLachlan outside the Legislative Office Building following their press conference.

24 Days Later the Democrats are Raising Taxes AGAIN!

Only 24 days have passed since the Connecticut General Assembly passed a budget along party lines – a state budget that included the largest tax increase in the history of Connecticut. Only 24 days since the Democrats authorized a fortune in long-term borrowing to feed the daily operations of Connecticut state government. I proudly voted NO!

Millions of dollars in higher fees for Connecticut residents – only 24 days after their fees were raised to feed the government budget monster in Hartford.

Connecticut government spending outpaced our taxpayer resident’s income by 64% since 1987! Imagine that – Connecticut government spending grew at such a rapid pace in the last 22 years that it far exceeded the growth of income for the resident’s who fund the government with their taxes.

The Democrats’ budget anticipates tax revenue that is unlikely to materialize during this global recession. What does that mean – our state budget is likely already running in a deficit – less than three months into a two-year budget. The Connecticut Office of Fiscal Analysis estimates 2012-2013 revenues will produce a deficit of over $6 BILLION!

The Democratic majority in Hartford is unwilling to prioritize and reduce spending in state government. The fiscal crisis in Connecticut is being exasperated by the Democratic majority as they continue “kicking the can down the road.”

Obama's Kicking the Can?

For months I've been talking about the Connecticut General Assembly "kicking the can down the road." During our August 31st budget debate I said we are "kicking the can down the road" because the Democrats' budget proposal had no substantive government reforms, was spending more money with dramatically reduced tax revenues and that we've squandered an opportunity to truly reinvent how state government operates.

President Obama gave his big health care speech to Congress tonight and said we shouldn't "kick the can further down the road." Amazing how he used the same metaphor to say we need the largest federal government expansion of our lifetime during the worst recession this country has experienced in a generation! Scary thought, Mr. President.

Health care in America needs fixing but not Obamacare, thank you. Not Connecticut Democrats' SustiNet plan, thank you.

When will the Democrats in Washington and Hartford stop slamming their brand of "health care reform" down our throats that is nothing more than expanding government? May I remind them government is broke(n)? May I remind them Americans are broke?

CT Government Spending Outpaces Taxpayer’s Earnings By 64%

Governor Jodi Rell presented her fourth alternate budget proposal this morning that cuts spending by $520 million, eliminates the inheritance tax, reduces the sales tax from 6 percent to 5.5 percent and exempts small and medium-sized businesses from the temporary 10 percent corporate surcharge proposed in her last budget plan and the Democrats’ last plan.

Let’s see how the Democrats respond to this proposal. This Republican suggests we’re still not talking about substantive reform of government operations that will have a lasting impact on future tax policy in Connecticut.

Hidden in the supporting documents for the Governor’s announcement was a comparison of Connecticut state government spending versus the income of state residents. This document is the best argument in favor of spending cuts that I’ve seen in a long time!

Connecticut government spending outpaced our taxpayer resident’s income by 64% since 1987!

Imagine that – Connecticut government spending grew at such a rapid pace in the last 22 years that it far exceeded the growth of income for the resident’s who fund the government with their taxes.

I rest my case. No new taxes. Cut spending. Now!

Politicians Kicking the Can

As a freshman senator, I listened carefully to the “old-timers” in the General Assembly when I arrived in January. A common theme of their advice was listen and do your homework. The unanimous advice was “don’t plan a summer vacation.” I wish I had taken a vacation as nothing substantive happened at the Capitol in June, July or August. Now I have plans for a mid-September getaway…

The budget debate is occurring in the wrong place – the media. No sessions of the General Assembly have debated budget matters this month and the last dysfunctional meetings of the Appropriations and Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committees were held on July 30th with nothing accomplished.

A recent newspaper editorial criticized the governor for wasting gas travelling around the state for ceremonial bill signings. Perhaps the media should focus a bit more on the Democrat’s absurd road show.

Today, Speaker Chris Donovan is claiming with Governor Rell’s budget proposal, “we will see a lot of seniors losing teeth.” Bologna, Mr. Speaker!

Senate President Protempore Donald Williams suggested Governor Rell is a liar. He claims the Democratic supermajority has moved closer to the Governor’s proposed spending cuts but “we need to have her come just a little bit toward us.” Now there’s a classic shell game for you!

Obamabucks are the savior for many state budgets this year but Obama and the Democratic Congress send help with very deep hooks. Stimulus funding for education requires increased spending after the Obamabucks disappear. Stimulus funding for unemployment benefits requires increased benefits for recipients. Enhancements are “nice to have” but Connecticut’s taxpayers must pick up the increased costs when the Obamabucks disappear. Surely Obama can’t keep printing money when the federal deficit is in the stratosphere.

Only 21% of the Obamabucks coming to Connecticut are for infrastructure improvements – the real chance for jobs. The rest of the federal stimulus money is filling cavernous holes in the state budget and sustaining current levels of spending – preserving existing government jobs. This fact raises future deficits in Connecticut when the Obamabucks disappear. This is an example of politicians kicking the can down the road.

Our economy fell off a cliff last year and the federal government raced to the rescue. Obamabucks are a short-term fix with an exploding balloon note due at expiration. Even if the recession is ending next year, our state budget will fall off another cliff because we can’t replace the Obamabucks in 2011 with more taxes – especially if the Democrats in the legislature succeed in passing the largest tax increase in state history this year.

State government cannot survive operating like it does today. The biggest disappointment during my first year as a legislator is the unwillingness of the Democratic supermajority to consider substantive, efficient reforms of government operations. The Commission on Enhancing Agency Outcomes should’ve met all summer to discuss reorganizing government while the Democratic leaders were on the road warning seniors about losing their teeth.

Connecticut is truly at a crossroads in this budget debate. We must make tough decisions now to prepare for the next cliff we face in two years. If we fail to act responsibly now the decisions in 2011 will be catastrophic to state government operations.

I urge my fellow legislators on both sides of the aisle – Let’s not kick the can down the road.