June 18, 2009

The Honorable Christopher Donovan
Speaker of the House
Legislative Office Building
Room 4100
Hartford, CT 06106

Dear Speaker Donovan:

As July 1 approaches, municipal officials from around the state are concerned about the impacts on local governments if a state budget has not been enacted by the start of the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

CCM requests a meeting with you and a subset of the CCM Board of Directors to discuss (a) the potential impacts of a protracted budget stalemate on local governments, and (b) ways that action in the Special Session can help keep property taxes down and local services functioning (enclosed is a copy of "Unfinished Business - The Special Session Agenda for Towns and Cities").

One reason the concern by local officials is especially acute is that most local budgets have been completed and have been based on levels of funding proposed for state grant programs by the four major state budget proposals (see reverse of the enclosure for a comparison).

We know you share those concerns and we understand the difficult task you face in crafting a state budget and tax package. CCM staff will contact your office in the next day or two to follow up and schedule a mutually convenient meeting time. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns please contact me (860-617-1683), or Jim Finley (203-804-6895) or Gian-Carl Casa (203-804-6901) of CCM.

Thank you for your consideration.

Hon. Elizabeth C. Paterson Mayor of Mansfield and President of CCM cc: Representative John Geragosian Representative Cam Staples Robert Genuario, Secretary, Office of Policy and Management Lisa Moody, Chief of Staff, Governor's Office Attachment