Stop The Increase To Our

Property Taxes

To the Editor:

I have heard from many town leaders that if we, the citizens, feel so strongly that now is the time to hold the line on our budget and property taxes we have to stay the course with another No vote. Many have expressed similar feelings, that we have seen too rapid a growth in our town’s budget and property taxes over the years. This is evident by Connecticut’s ranking as having the worst property tax rates in the country. Let me repeat that — we have the highest property tax rate in the country — 50th in property taxes. And property taxes are especially significant for businesses. (Even New Jersey is reducing its property taxes.) This, coupled with the largest increase in income taxes in state history, creates an economic hardship for far too many in our community. Easy to understand why Connecticut now has the title as the worst place in America to retire.

Most people I know, and many of their adult children, did not attend full-day kindergarten and have all turned out just fine. In an article on this subject in the April 27, 2012, edition of The Wall Street Journal, reporter Stephanie Banchero references the most robust study conducted for the US government and released in 2010 showed Head Start students had small learning gains that faded by the end of first grade. There are plenty of studies that show both sides, which say to me the benefits are inconclusive.

It appears our officials are starting to do a great job now in saving our tax dollars, but they do this in large part because we are limiting the tax dollars they have to spend. I applaud the $1.6 million bond refinancing. I also agree with maximizing the use of buses to transport multiple grades as proposed by combining St Rose and Reed Schools. It was not that long ago that all elementary buses carried first through six grades before we had Reed. The Board of Ed is saving money from the bus contract. But we have seen lower enrollments which should translate into less employment — not more. Now is the time to hold the budget flat.

There will be those who will say when it comes to education we should spend all we can. Truly we may already be there. The reality is with the largest tax increase in the state’s history and the highest property taxes in the country, most people are just tapped out. The US today in general spends more per student than all but one country in the world (and I am sure Connecticut is in the upper range of that average as calculated) and we have continued to fall further behind in comparative test scores. It is not a question of money.

No increase in our taxes. None.

Warren Hoppmeyer

23 Cobblers Mill Road, Sandy Hook                               May 9, 2012