Gov. M. Jodi Rell is easily annoyed by criticism and is impatient. It is ironic, because one of the hallmarks of her administration has been a constant criticism of others; from her own commissioners, to legislators and business leaders in the private sector. Anyone who disrupts her daily routine has been cited at one time or another by a strongly worded letter or press release from her office. Having expressed her disappointment she seems able to move on with her day. Good for her!
After dumping an admittedly half-baked plan to increase education spending and reduce property taxes on the legislature, she has responded to criticism of her proposal with the mantra, “Just get it done.” And when pushed further, “You know what guys, if you don’t like my plan show me what you would do.”
The governor seems to have forgotten the role of the legislature, which is to review, critique and adjust the proposal made by the executive branch. She seems to have forgotten that the process takes more than a weekend. The legislature is a deliberative body and in odd numbered years it deliberates from January until June. It’s odd that she has forgotten since she was once part of it.
Different Tack
Since she is asking for budget alternatives, let’s explore some.
The biggest flaw in the governor’s original budget proposal is its focus on more spending over less spending. To improve education – spend more money on it. To lower local property taxes – give cities and towns more money. To control the growth rate of local tax increases – allow increases, but cap them. She now admits that her entire proposal will not reduce property taxes, it will only slow the growth rate. So why are we doing this again?
None of these options is in the long term interest of the common taxpayer, because they all require more tax revenue. Let’s begin instead where Gov. Rell should have and reduce government spending. Isn’t it logical to begin a discussion about the budget by asking where are we spending money and should we be spending it there? That’s what the governor does with her own household budget, we are told.
It takes courage and fortitude to reduce spending, because every spending program has a constituency that will put up a fight. There are countless places to look, but very few in government who want to take a peek. Gov. Rell didn’t even lift the covers this year.
Start by restructuring the state workforce using attrition and transfers. Shrink services where they are no longer needed and beef them up where they are needed. Review every social service program to make sure they are still serving their intended purpose. Divest the system of programs that are reactive and invest in programs that are preventive.
Big Steps
Critics have been calling for years for binding arbitration reform. There’s a problem to solve with the potential to save cities and towns millions. Regionalize. If you are looking to lead, convince Connecticut’s 169 municipalities to pool their resources. Adopt proposals to establish a mandatory health care insurance buying pool for state and municipal employees.
Use the surplus to reduce debt. Establish a mandatory tax rebate program to prevent future legislatures from building surpluses into the base of the budget. Adopt a pay before you go program for new initiatives that require significant new spending.
How about these ideas just to start? Only after all opportunities to cut spending are exhausted do you consider raising taxes. This would all require hard work, tough decisions and collaboration with legislators of both parties, but it would be the right place to begin.n
Dean Pagani is a former gubernatorial advisor. He is V.P. of Public Affairs for Cashman and Katz Integrated Communications in Glastonbury.
