Voting For An Unpopular Budget

To the Editor:

Most people in Newtown don’t like next year’s proposed budget. There seem to be more reasons to vote against it than for it.

Many people think that a 0.99 percent increase in the tax rate is still too high. Even though the Boards of Selectmen and Education made deep cuts, and the Board of Finance reduced those budgets further, they feel that a zero increase is required because of the troubled economy. What taxpayers may not understand is that grants from the State of Connecticut to the towns have been reduced. Creating a budget with no tax increase would compromise town services even further.

Some believe that the budget, especially for education, is too low. They see a No vote as the way to tell elected officials that education funds must be restored. They’re right. Proposed budget cuts will significantly impact education services. However, a defeat of the budget will only result in further reduction of education funds.

A few people are angry that money for the demolition of Greenwich Hall and the creation of parking spaces for the Newtown Youth Academy didn’t go through the capital improvement process. Like them, I wish that it had. However, Bob Tait, Newtown’s director of finance, has proposed that as soon as it’s possible, probably not later than next fall, this project should be refunded into bonds, and that would result in a lower interest rate.

Like most people in Newtown, I don’t like the proposed budget. However, I believe it represents the best balance we can achieve between providing essential public goods and services while acknowledging that many people have significant financial concerns. I urge you to vote Yes on April 28.

Sincerely,

Jan Lee Brookes

Legislative Council-District 3

38 Hundred Acres Road, Newtown                               April 19, 2009