Vote For Significance

The defeat of the proposed $96.3 million town budget on April 25 set off a wave of analysis, rationalizing, and wishful thinking among those who fervently hoped the spending plan would make it through a referendum without incident. The 53-vote margin of defeat was characterized as statistically insignificant and not a mandate for line-item reductions prior to the next budget vote on May 9. Put the budget through again “as is,” budget proponents argued, and the slumbering majority of the electorate (78 percent) that stayed home last time would easily pass the spending plan the second time around after being startled awake by the April 25 vote.

The Legislative Council wisely resisted this siren call to ignore the referendum results and press ahead with its initial budget plan. But it also acknowledged the narrow margin between budget proponents and opponents by limiting reductions to school and municipal spending for the second vote to just over one-tenth of one percent. It is essentially the same budget, so we are likely to see the slumbering majority theory put to the test next Tuesday. But the $295,000 reduction is an important signal to the 1,768 voters who rejected the initial budget that voting does count for something.

On the scale of democracy, every vote is significant and weighty enough to tip the balance. Had the budget passed by one vote, the whole process would be over for this year. That’s significant. Had the budget failed by one vote instead of 57, there still would be a mandate for the Legislative Council to acknowledge that failure and to respond appropriately. We supported the original budget proposal, but we think the council’s response to its defeat is fair and appropriate and, again, worthy of support.

Now the challenge goes out to the 78 percent of Newtown voters who stayed home last time. Are you the key to the success of this budget, or will you turn the tables on those who presume to know your mind? Or will you fail once again to step into the realm of significance and continue to slumber? Chose the latter only if you don’t care what kind of town you eventually wake up to.