Hartford mayor’s to-do list

This week's primary will likely determine Hartford's next mayor, but before the ballots are cast we've already established a to-do list for the Capital City's next CEO. Hartford Business Journal has traditionally not endorsed candidates and we're sticking to our knitting once again this year. However, we understand the significance this year's mayoral race will have on Hartford's future, so we want to implore the next mayor to focus on the following issues: Crime — Budget, taxes and economic development are typically the business community's top three priorities, but without civil peace they're irrelevant. Business can't flourish if employees and customers don't feel safe visiting the city. The wave of violence that has erupted this summer — 25 homicides reported through Sept. 10, the most of any New England city — must be quelled. We need new thinking around our policing strategy and, more importantly, greater job opportunities for city residents so more of Hartford's impoverished population can become productive citizens. Budget/Economic Development — City finances remain a big problem, and Hartford is likely to face more budget deficits in the years ahead. And with fewer options available to raise new money — the city has already been selling off assets in recent years to raise one-time revenues — the only alternative will be to make massive spending cuts — something unlikely in a democratic city — or raise the state's already highest municipal property tax rate. What Hartford needs is a grand plan to grow its tax base, not just downtown but in the surrounding neighborhoods as well. Taxes — Hartford's 74.29 mill rate for commercial property owners is by far the highest property tax rate in the state. If the city doesn't slowly reduce that rate it will continue to hold back Hartford's progress. Hartford is the only Connecticut municipality that assesses commercial property owners a higher tax rate than residential owners. With a mill rate over 70 there is little incentive to invest in Hartford without some sort of government subsidy or tax break. We urge the next mayor to seriously consider recommendations made last year by a city taskforce, which proposed gradually boosting the residential assessment ratio over 20-plus years so homeowners and businesses pay a more equal share of taxes. Transportation — Although city government has limited control over major transportation projects like CTfastrak and high-speed rail, the mayor must offer up a vision for developing a 21st century transportation system in the city. Most importantly, the mayor must represent the city's businesses and residents in the ongoing debate about what to do with the aging I-84 viaduct. State Department of Transportation officials are considering various ways to replace the highway system, which will have major ramifications on people's ability to get in and out of the city for decades to come. The mayor must staunchly support and lobby for the plan that will do the least short-term harm and most long-term good for Hartford residents and businesses. Education — The education gap that persists between city and suburban students isn't just a moral issue — it's an economic one. Connecticut's population is aging and the state already has a hard enough time attracting young talent. We can't afford to have scores of inner-city students receiving lax education that leaves them unprepared for the workforce. A strategy that boosts graduation and college enrollment rates won't only reduce crime and improve quality of life; it will provide a boost to the economy as companies find a more expansive talent base to recruit from.