Community Corner

State Budget Show Coming to Town

East Haven's three state reps are scheduled for a "town hall" budget conversation April 12.

If you're not a fan of the governor's proposed tax hikes, you've got a few options: Go to Hartford to protest; move out of state; or come to the April 12 for a good, old-fashion town hall meeting starring your state representatives -- Democrat James Albis and Republicans Len Fasano and Vincent Candelora.

The trio has promised to take what they hear back to Hartford.

The men are following in the footsteps of Democratic Gov. Dan Malloy, who's been making pit stops across the state over the last two months explaining to taxpayers why he's asking for $39.9 billion to run Connecticut for the next two years and how he plans to chip away at the $3.5 billion deficit. In return, .

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"I think that it's critical in these economic times for people to come out and let their voices be heard because their input impacts the decision-making in Hartford," said state Rep. Candelora, whose 86th Assembly District seat covers East Haven's third district, North Branford and Wallingford. "It impacts my decisions. If you hear from enough people, it definitely will influence my decision-making."

Budget forums are nothing new in Connecticut, said Candelora, just the descriptor being used this year is. Malloy has been calling his constituent gatherings "town hall meetings" and lawmakers are following in suit. That descriptor earned a distinctive cache in summer '09, when the tea party movement filled town halls furious over President Obama's health-care reform initiative, and earned national headlines.

Find out what's happening in East Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

State Rep. Albis, whose territory is all East Haven, concurred with his Republican counterpart about the beauty of having a public conversation on the proposed budget.

"I certainly have my concerns about (the budget) as I'm sure the Republicans do, but I think it's important to first understand what's on the table," said Albis. "Hearing concerns from our constituents is a vital part of shaping the budget that will be passed this year, and I would be happy to take any suggestions or concerns with me to Hartford."

State Sen. Fasano (34th Senate District of East Haven, North Branford and Wallingford) said while he commended Malloy for asking for $2 billion in union concessions, the governor's budget does not go far enough in spending cuts and keeping taxes at bay.

“Downsizing government means more than just the elimination of 150 jobs among a 46,000-person workforce,” said Fasano. "We need to privatize services and sell off-state assets if we really want to make a dent in our spending.”

While Albis has questioned some of the proposed taxes, he has also questioned how to effectively eradicate the looming debt.

"The encouraging thing is that we have a governor and leaders in the legislature who are willing to work with us and hear our constituents' concerns," said Albis. "At the same time, we all must bear in mind the fact that $3.5 billion is a very large gap to cover, and it will be extremely difficult to please everybody when all is said and done."

Fasano indicated he's far from pleased so far.

"This is the largest tax hike in state history," he said. "These are massive tax increases on the middle class at a time when our residents can least afford it. Just about every tax is raised – income, sales, corporate, gas, alcohol, hotel, tobacco, admission and dues.”

Candelora called Malloy's two-year spending plan "very devastating to the taxpayer." But the Republican said there's also good news, (Education Cost Sharing dollars) they got in FY'11.

"(For the) town itself, there are some significant revenue gains possible in that budget. I think it's important in the economic condition we're in," said Candelora. "But for every decision there are unintended consequences. We'll make a change to a law without knowing how it will impact people. So it's important to hear people's perspective."

The Town Hall meeting is set for April 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Senior Center, 91 Taylor Ave. It is subject to reschedule if the legislature is called into session. Check Patch for updates.


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