[Lalalally]

I knew regional taxing would be a legitimate concern when I posted the first article this past winter. And our legislature has already approved and included language for this to happen? I guess I missed that part. Voters OK joining planning agency, but fear counties, taxes | The Ridgefield Press

[JayCT]

Again. as I posted back the fiorst time, there are no talks going on behind closed doors to bring back counties in this state or implement a regional tax. The purpose of this is to reduce the number of Regional Planning Agencies in the state to a more reasonable number. Right now we have something like 12 agencies, some of which are tiny. This may have made sense 550 years ago when these areas were more independent but today it just does not make sense. As an example, New Jersey only has 3 agencies for the entire state and it is larger in area. I think the First Selectman in Ridgefield is trying to put fear into peoples mind and then set up his campaign against it for political reasons. Jay

[Lalalally]

They are more than talks Jay, there has been language approved by our legislature giving taxing authority to the expanded regions. I apparently am more cynical than you and don't possess the same level of faith as you that this won't happen. We shall see how it plays out in the coming years. And for what it's worth, it's not just Marconi who is unhappy and raising concern with this new arrangement. It's every single mayor and selectman/woman in the area. I'll be paying closer attention going forward:

“The language passed by the legislature does give the region the authority to tax,” Mr. Marconi told the town meeting. “We’re going to keep an eye on that.”

Asked about the concerns Mr. Marconi raised, State Sen. Toni Boucher was anything but dismissive.

“I share Rudy’s concern. There is indeed a move in this direction by the speaker of the House,” Ms. Boucher said in an e-mail Tuesday. “Some of us are raising objections immediately in behalf of our districts."

**********

Though he’d raised the concern, Mr. Marconi said this week that he wondered if many officials would seriously advocate a revival of counties.

“I don’t know,” he said. “But it seems, since language was added allowing for taxation, it may be there are some advocates in Hartford who would support a county form of government/taxation.



P.S. 550 years ago?? LOL & JK

[JayCT]

This has nothing to do with faith. It has to do with knowledge. Read the legislation and you will see it does not allow for regional taxation. Again this is fear politics. Jay