To the Editor:

Next year's state budget has a deficit of almost $1B, and the forecasts for the two years after that show deficits of $4B. The record taxes enacted by Governor Malloy twice in four years has contributed to the downward spiral by driving companies and people out of state, including the iconic General Electric. You would think that by now the party in power would understand that it is precisely their actions that are causing the revenue decline, and it's going to get worse.

Newtown taxpayers paid $12M more in annual taxes in just the first year of Gov Malloy's first tax increase, not including increased local property taxes. Newtown's share to close the upcoming $5B projected deficits in the next three years will require tens of millions of dollars more each year in taxes from Newtown taxpayers of all income levels. Taking more money from family income will greatly harm families as well as the local businesses that depend upon their spending.

Just weeks ago, Gov Malloy, responding to the deficit forecasts, said that he was going to cut expenses and reduce the state workforce. House Speaker Brendan Sharkey and Senate Leader Martin Looney were slow to respond to the governor's plan. Now they are in open revolt. This means that the legislature will make smaller cuts, authorize more borrowing for the current year and then deny they will vote for tax increases until they are safely re-elected and only afterwards pass another tax increase. That increase will be massive and lead to another round of economic decline in the state. It's as if they simply don't care how many people and businesses will struggle (or will simply follow GE's example and leave the state), as long as they remain in power.

In order to sustain the cost of government at state and local levels, there must be enough good paying jobs for young couples to afford to live here and raise families. Quite simply, it's high time to enact legislation that requires a supermajority to raise income or corporate taxes, and also to approve public sector contracts. We also need to enact a property tax cap of 2% or inflation, whichever is lower. It's the only way to force budgetary discipline, stop the exodus from Connecticut, and signal business and individuals that making Connecticut less expensive is our top priority.

Unfortunately, many towns (Newtown included) seem to be oblivious to the looming state budget meltdown and are resorting to increased spending despite stagnant town populations and rapidly declining student enrollments. Although Newtown has many positive qualities, we already have one of the highest mill rates in a highly taxed state. This essentially makes us one of the highest taxed towns in the nation. What a dubious distinction. My concern, and I'm sure the concern of many others is that without massive, structural change to state and local expenditures now, both our town and state will continue to place an unaffordable burden on whomever is left to pay the bills.

Sincerely,

Joe Kearney

9 Daniels Hill Road, Newtown        April 23, 2016