If everything is on the table to close the current $300 million budget gap, as Gov. M. Jodi Rell has stated, now is a perfect time to scrutinize all state policies, laws and programs that have not fulfilled their promises.
The election of Barack Obama clearly indicates that citizens hunger for change.
To address that need, state officials must identify and then replace or eliminate programs that do not provide a bang for the taxpayer buck. That task is urgent now that the state faces multibillion-dollar shortfalls over the next couple of years. The state’s major expenses — social services, education, corrections and health care — long considered untouchable, need to be closely examined. Some programs work. Some don’t. And those that don’t, need to get axed.
Taxpayers understand that they must pay for roads, education and prisons, and help those who can’t fend for themselves. But they don’t want to — and shouldn’t have to — pay for programs that aren’t effective.
Lawmakers need to listen to rank-and-file state workers, state residents and various organizations that know firsthand what works and what does not. Then, they need to apply basic common sense.
For example, consider the nonprofit Connecticut Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI cites economic studies that show that the state Department of Correction budget could be dramatically slashed if nonviolent individuals diagnosed with mental illness and addiction problems received treatment in supportive housing or long-term treatment programs instead of being incarcerated for crimes related to their mental illness and substance abuse.
Since incarceration doesn’t “fix” substance abuse or alcoholics, the business of prison continues to escalate — more prison guards, staff and more public money to build jails — burdening taxpayers without reducing recidivism.
The business community has come to realize that a number of programs once considered costly social programs — such as quality preschool education — actually reduce long-term spending, improve the lives of Connecticut citizens and support economic development. State officials need to develop a plan that reduces spending while also improving the quality of life for its residents.
