For Immediate Release
Thursday April 23, 2009
Contact: Kevin Maloney
(203) 498-3025
CCM calls on Governor and State Legislative leaders to continue
to make state aid to towns and cities a priority in budget negotiations
In letters to Governor Rell and state legislative leaders, the
Connecticut Conference of Municipalities has called on the state
leaders to continue to make at least the present levels of state aid to
towns and cities a priority during the upcoming negotiation over the
state budget for 2009-10.
Enclosed with the letters is a matrix showing the major state grants to
towns and cities in each of the three state budget proposals. For each
grant CCM has indicated the proposal that provides the most relief to
property taxpayers and Hometown CT. CCM also has enclosed a
"blueprint" by which the State can provide property tax relief in the
short and long term, using proposals presently before the General
Assembly.
"In a very difficult year the three state budget proposals on the table
have all, in different ways, made state aid to towns and cities a
priority, both in terms of education and non-education funding," said
Jim Finley, CCM Executive Director and CEO. "Town leaders and
residential and business property taxpayers appreciate the hard work it
took for the Governor and state legislative leaders to do this,
particularly in the context of ever-changing deficit projections. CCM
urges state leaders to sustain these efforts during state budget
negotiations."
April 20, 2009
The Honorable M. Jodi Rell
Governor of Connecticut
Executive Chambers
State Capitol Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Dear Governor Rell:
In a very difficult year the three state budget proposals on the table have all, in different ways, made state aid to towns and cities a priority, both in terms of education and non-education funding. Town leaders and residential and business property taxpayers appreciate the hard work it took to do this, particularly in the context of ever-changing deficit projections.
As you are aware, municipal officials are on the front lines, leading the way in making the hard choices back in Hometown Connecticut -- finding efficiencies, cutting back services, working with public employee unions to reduce costs, freezing and eliminating positions, and grudgingly raising taxes. And we know that in the end -- the state budget will have to include all these approaches.
As we also know, protecting citizens from property tax increases and cuts in local services will take a combination of approaches, including mandates relief, incentives for regional cooperation and diversifying municipal revenue sources. But maintaining state aid at least at its present levels is crucial.
Enclosed with this letter is a matrix showing the major state grants to towns and cities in each of the three budget proposals. For each grant we have indicated the proposal that provides the most relief to property taxpayers. We have also enclosed a “blueprint” by which the State can provide property tax relief in the short and long term, using proposals presently before the General Assembly. CCM asks you to support these proposals in budget negotiations.
CCM officials -- your partners in governing Connecticut -- look forward to working with you as you move forward in your discussions.
Please call me at (203) 804-6895 if you have any questions.
Thnak you.
Sincerely,
James J. Finley, Jr.
Executive Director & CEO
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