Get Out And Vote For The Budget

To the Editor:

I encourage the Newtown voters to join me in supporting the 2011-2012 budget by voting Yes at the budget referendum next Tuesday.

For the last two years, significant cuts have been made to the education budget in response to the “Mortgage Meltdown” and the “Great Recession.” The Board of Finance cut $1 million from the BOE budget request two years ago and $2.5 million last year. The Newtown public sector (school and town) has already made sacrifices to prevent significant layoffs during the most challenging economic times.

Last year, I voted No for the first time ever when I felt that the Board of Finance’s $2.5 million reduction from the BOE budget request was too deep. Last year’s budget was finally approved at the third referendum after the Legislative Council restored some of the cuts made by the Board of Finance (after hundreds of voters made an appeal for the education budget to be restored).

This year, I believe the town leaders made a genuine effort to preserve the educational and municipal services without overburdening the taxpayers. I am voting Yes to support the collaborative approach used by all town boards to present a budget that is fair and balanced. The 2.67 percent tax increase is one of the lowest in the last decade.

I have been tracking the referendum voting statistics since 2003 and the statistics demonstrate that approving the budget is a matter of getting out the vote. The budget rarely passes if less than 5,000 voters turn out for the referendum. I urge everyone to get out and vote next Tuesday and please take a moment to remind your spouses, friends, and neighbors to vote as well. I am hoping that we will pass this budget on the first try so that we can enjoy our spring.

Po Murray

38 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook                           April 20, 2011