[East of the River]

Originally Posted by CTartist

Especially Boughton who wants to eliminate the state income tax altogether.

This is the reason I will just not blindly say I will vote for a Republican even though our state is going through budget problems with the Democrats in charge.

Yeah the income tax thing is nuts. So say we go for a sales tax to replace it all. It would have to be 13% (or slightly higher) and that does not account for current budget shortfalls never mind future ones. It also does not account for possible loss in some sales tax revenue from it being that high. It would give us the highest sales tax rate by a long shot in the country. On the state level I think the next highest is 9% even with state and local added together (which would be one of the ways we could reduce property tax by adding local sales tax) we would still be the highest I think the current combined highest is like 10.8%.

[RunD1987]

Should do away with the income tax...the best plan shluld be working towards it in a certain time frame instead of right away. High sales tax wIll drive sales to other State's.

[East of the River]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

Should do away with the income tax...the best plan shluld be working towards it in a certain time frame instead of right away. High sales tax wIll drive sales to other State's.

I'm pretty sure our budget is guaranteed to be screwed for at least the next decade (that may be optimistic). Which means we can't really reduce revenue. In theory we could cut some things yes. (not likely given the GOP budget that we have basically cut nothing) . Even if they do cut things we still have massive debt looming in the future. Since states can't go bankrupt that means we pretty much have to muddle thru this. Look at it his way you could elect every office in the state to libertarian, and do to practical concerns I doubt you taxes would go down more then a few percent. (unless your the really out there libertarian who says education and road funding etc can just stop)

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by East of the River

Yeah the income tax thing is nuts. So say we go for a sales tax to replace it all. It would have to be 13% (or slightly higher) and that does not account for current budget shortfalls never mind future ones. It also does not account for possible loss in some sales tax revenue from it being that high. It would give us the highest sales tax rate by a long shot in the country. On the state level I think the next highest is 9% even with state and local added together (which would be one of the ways we could reduce property tax by adding local sales tax) we would still be the highest I think the current combined highest is like 10.8%.

Remember too that Connecticut is a very small state so it would be very easy for people to leave the state and shop elsewhere to save on a high sales tax. You would definitely see sales tax revenue drop. Jay

[Stepfordct]

We have to cut spending. Which means someone will lose services etc...we cant have our cake and eat it too. Also eliminate pensions. Cut waste with the state employees.

[Newtohartfordct]

Originally Posted by Stepfordct

We have to cut spending. Which means someone will lose services etc...we cant have our cake and eat it too. Also eliminate pensions. Cut waste with the state employees.

The work force just isn’t large enough to warrant pensions anymore. There will also be less jobs, because of automation, which is happening now.I also believe the federal government should raise the retirement age. When SS first started it was 1 retiree for every 7 workers, not it is 1 for every 3. With boomers retiring and the younger generation not having kids, it will be less. CT, CA, IL, NY and MA all have substantial income coming in, there’s no reason there should be deficits.

[RunD1987]

What if they raised the amount needed to contribute into pensions and grandfather anyone with 5 year's of service working for the State a pension. 5 yrs or less a 403B and 401A.

[Stepfordct]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

What if they raised the amount needed to contribute into pensions and grandfather anyone with 5 year's of service working for the State a pension. 5 yrs or less a 403B and 401A.

Good but not enough. This is not about being nice or anything.
Its about cold hard realities.
Dad's job cut his salary X, he needs to cut expenses now, this second. If he refuses to do so, he will eat into savings. Then eventually go into debt. Now with inflation, on less income he has to use credit cards to support the lifestyle he used to afford from cashflow.
Still not facing the unfair reality. Dad now blames everyone else for his problems, while continuing to spend monies he doesnt have. Now his debt servicing eats away at most of his cashflow. This will end badly.

Connecticut is at that point. What should we do?
Its not about being popular. Its not about buying your kids things you cant afford. Or worse yet lying to people that count on you that all is well. As the leader you must make hard choices.

[RunD1987]

Originally Posted by Stepfordct

Good but not enough. This is not about being nice or anything.
Its about cold hard realities.
Dad's job cut his salary X, he needs to cut expenses now, this second. If he refuses to do so, he will eat into savings. Then eventually go into debt. Now with inflation, on less income he has to use credit cards to support the lifestyle he used to afford from cashflow.
Still not facing the unfair reality. Dad now blames everyone else for his problems, while continuing to spend monies he doesnt have. Now his debt servicing eats away at most of his cashflow. This will end badly.

Connecticut is at that point. What should we do?
Its not about being popular. Its not about buying your kids things you cant afford. Or worse yet lying to people that count on you that all is well. As the leader you must make hard choices.

Also Obstenik wants the State to create the position of Office of Inspector General to work with the State Auditor's Office to focus on waste, fraud, corruption, and mismanagement of CT's funds.

[JayCT]

More political double talk and unrealistic transportation plans. The Republicans are opposed to tolls but their plan for transportation funding touts public/private partnerships. As this article points out, public/private partnerships basically turns a road over to a private company who then rebuilds the highways and pays for it by implementing tolls! Come on guys, we are not stupid. Jay

This Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Has Big Plans For Transportation. But Will They Work? - Hartford Courant