[RunD1987]

I was hoping and still am that the wife considers Virginia. Seems to be a good mix of Liberal and Conservatives. That or New Hampshire or Southern Maine. Only downside is NH has a smaller job market. I rather take a good heaping of snow not this mix here and there. Don't get enough snow to do anything in it. The wife not to keen on moving to a more snowier part of the U.S.

That's why I have been talking my wife into Virginia, but not buying. Wife wants to stay in CT, RI, or Mass so she can be close to family and friends.

In Virginia pay is a little lower not terrible and COL is balanced with average pay. There's lots of hiking and outdoor options. Lots of greenways and beaches. Traffic is relatively not that congested except for small pocket areas. Higher education is relatively inexpensive. Crime rate is similar to CT. The weather has a mild winter. Able to go out year round and be active.

The pluses with the New London area outside of lower COL. Healthcare in the area seems to be growing. Higher education is a bit of a drive not much centrally located for those in health care. Good running community and lots of places to hike. Lacks a greenway system for now. Nightlife isn't bad with the Casinos. There's a baseball stadium in the area. Can always take the train to NYC, Boston, New Haven, and Providence if you want. Local stores and restaurants are amazing. The Book Barn is close by. Love the beaches down that way. So it has it's positives.

[Henry10]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

We usually agree philosophically, but i can't reconcile the 40% union figure to the 2016 CT Budget.

My numbers are not 2016 specific. I just pointed out the general trend of the last few years' budgets, and the general breakdown.

If you go to page 18 (FY17) of this CGA (CT Gen Assembly) report, state is showing about 37% to Public Unions (32% personnel + 5% Teachers). Plus money allocated to other categories (for example "Debt Service" of "Other Current") goes indirectly to the benefit of "Public Union" members. Since CT is borrowing for general fund expenditures, it is fair to allocate some of the Debt Service to the largest category of CT budget.

Hence my number of 40% for "public unions".

https://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa/Documents...7%20Budget.pdf

Originally Posted by CTartist

Can you put a link to the info above, thanks.

Here is one link -- https://ctmirror.org/2015/04/21/a-gu...ax-dollars-go/

[CTartist]

Originally Posted by Henry10

My numbers are not 2016 specific. I just pointed out the general trend of the last few years' budgets, and the general breakdown.



Here is one link -- https://ctmirror.org/2015/04/21/a-gu...ax-dollars-go/

Thanks, very eye opening.

"Medicaid: $2.3 billion; 13 percent of spending
This is the health coverage program for people who are poor or have disabilities. As of January, it covered 723,769 Connecticut residents, or about one in five people in the state. This figure represents only the money the state pays for Medicaid services; the federal government also provides more than $2 billion in funding toward Medicaid costs."

According to this 20% of our population is poor or disabled. That seems very high and unsustainable.

[RunD1987]

Originally Posted by CTartist

Thanks, very eye opening.

"Medicaid: $2.3 billion; 13 percent of spending
This is the health coverage program for people who are poor or have disabilities. As of January, it covered 723,769 Connecticut residents, or about one in five people in the state. This figure represents only the money the state pays for Medicaid services; the federal government also provides more than $2 billion in funding toward Medicaid costs."

According to this 20% of our population is poor or disabled. That seems very high and unsustainable.

Didn't CT deny the Medicaid grants from the Federal Government. That's why it's close to a Billion dollars the hospitals in total have lost over the past few years. This and taxes.

As far as State being in the poverty level. Feel a lot of this is due to high property taxes, income tax, high rental cost, high cost of health services, and high cost of food.

If the State could do away with income tax, lower the sales tax to 5% or lower, used sales tax of 2% on purchases of $5,000 or more outside of the State (Bussineses are exempt), create a flat bussiness tax, lower mill rates below 55, go to County governments, do away with the Estate tax, tax marijuanna, reduce Medicaid spending/Clean up disability fraud, provide a single payer open health insurance market, provide tuition free community college, do away with the Gas tax replace with tolls, less Liberal laws more "Live or Die Free" laws, environmental tax/expand park & greenway system in CT, improve on transportation, lower State higher education cost, increase funding for afgordable housing in the State, raise the minimum wage, and have less congestion on the road ways State would be okay. Also tax breaks and universal healthcare for CT resident's 65 and over.

[Henry10]

A few more points:

1- My 40% number (share of budget) for "public unions" is just the beginning. It does not take into account that State's Aid to cities/towns (Municipal Aid) partly goes for partially funding Govt employees at local level. I would guesstimate another 5% add, due to this. Maybe more.

2- CT projects budget to increase 3-6% per year in the upcoming years. So CT could be approaching 50% number in a hurry, if not already there.

3- Local numbers are not even discussed here. Towns / cities pay significant part of their own budgets to Govt / public employees.

I would guesstimate that roughly 2/3 of total budget (State + Local) goes towards Govt employees, state & local, past and present.

I believe many Govt employees put in an honest day of work, and many would tell you "hey, look, we also pay taxes"

That's true, however for the state to shell out $ 80k total package, and get back $ 10k in taxes -- that's math gone awry.

[ads94]

Everyone talks about the income tax constantly. I don't even find it that burdensome. The worst thing about Connecticut is our property taxes, which are quite frankly bordering on insanity. I don't mind shelling out $1k in income taxes to the state each year. I do mind shelling out 4k for property taxes on a house that is smaller, has less land, and much less city services than what I will get for $950 in Florida when I build and move there. While I understand that the property taxes are set by each municipality, it is one of the reasons why home ownership is such a burden and why rents are so high.

[Robert137]

Originally Posted by ads94

Everyone talks about the income tax constantly. I don't even find it that burdensome. The worst thing about Connecticut is our property taxes, which are quite frankly bordering on insanity. I don't mind shelling out $1k in income taxes to the state each year. I do mind shelling out 4k for property taxes on a house that is smaller, has less land, and much less city services than what I will get for $950 in Florida when I build and move there. While I understand that the property taxes are set by each municipality, it is one of the reasons why home ownership is such a burden and why rents are so high.

Wow, I didn't realize that someone could live in Connecticut so cheaply. The income tax equates to earnings of 30K(single) or 50K (married) and neither goes real far here. Taxes in middle class areas in FFC are twice what you pay--and still much less than nearby NY and NJ. Even so, Connecticut is still a somewhat relative bargain for someone in the NYC metro area. I'd say you are doing pretty well considering the high QOL here.

Now compared to Florida, yes, but then again---you're in Florida.

[RunD1987]

State:
Flat Business Tax of 5% pays for general services in the State
Tolls and Gas Tax pay for transportation services and infrastructure maintenance
12% excess tax on cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana pay for DMHAS/Universal Mental Health care for CT residents
Make all fireworks legal to sell in the State from May to September
2% Healthcare tax on business to pay for a open healthcare market
2% Environmental Tax on business to pay for parks/greenway services in the State (CT companies with 100 or less employees are exempt from paying this tax)
2% Higher Education Tax to pay for community college tuition for CT residents in the State
2% Healthcare tax on CT residents to pay for a open healthcare market in the State (Pays for universal healthcare for seniors 65 & older) Medicaid funds and tax help create adjustable healthcare for those in State living below average COL based off household size.
2% Higher Education Tax via CT residents to pay for community college tuition for CT residents in the State (CT residents 65 and older are exempt)
4% Sales Tax
2% Used Sales Tax for purchases made out of the State over $5000 (Business are exempt)

County:
Taxes for School's within their County
Taxes to maintain funds for Courts/Sheriff services in their County
Taxes to support and maintain Trooper barracks in their County. Troopers/State Personnel pay via the State. Equipment and so forth funded via the State.
Taxes to maintain roads/infrastructure not State maintained
Firearm permit fees are determined by County they reside in

Town/Cities:
Tax to fund EMS/Police/Fire/Resident Trooper
Tax to fund library services

[hartford_renter]

Originally Posted by CTartist

Thanks, very eye opening.

"Medicaid: $2.3 billion; 13 percent of spending
This is the health coverage program for people who are poor or have disabilities. As of January, it covered 723,769 Connecticut residents, or about one in five people in the state. This figure represents only the money the state pays for Medicaid services; the federal government also provides more than $2 billion in funding toward Medicaid costs."

According to this 20% of our population is poor or disabled. That seems very high and unsustainable.

The online sources I see say that Medicaid takes up about 23% of state spending?

https://ballotpedia.org/Connecticut_...t_and_finances

[ads94]

Originally Posted by Robert137

Wow, I didn't realize that someone could live in Connecticut so cheaply. The income tax equates to earnings of 30K(single) or 50K (married) and neither goes real far here. Taxes in middle class areas in FFC are twice what you pay--and still much less than nearby NY and NJ. Even so, Connecticut is still a somewhat relative bargain for someone in the NYC metro area. I'd say you are doing pretty well considering the high QOL here.

Now compared to Florida, yes, but then again---you're in Florida.

I rounded. I make 42k a year. I don't live anywhere near FFC, thankfully.

Sure, it's a bargain if you work in New York City. It's a raw deal for everyone else in the state.

I'm mostly moving to Florida for climate. Other people move for economics. I don't think Connecticut should just be screwed and everyone say "Oh, well, it's not as bad as X state!" and whenever there is a better state, the response shouldn't be "Well, of course it's x state"