[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

The largest tax increase in Connecticut history was Lowell Wiecker’s implementation of the state income tax. Funny thing is he was a Republican. Jodi Rell avoided a tax increase by borrowing money to balance her budget which added to our fiscal problems by kicking it down the road. So much for the Democrats being the tax hikers. Let’s be clear here, Both parties have done their damage to our state. The Democrats certainly have been worse overall but the Republicans can’t say they are innocent either. Jay

I agree with you there. Both parties are bad but the democrats have been much worse lately. And if you look at each governor’s term as opposed to specific increases, you’ll see Malloy is much worse than Weicker was. Either way, both Malloy and Lamont should be embarrassed and the residents of CT should be outraged at even the proposal of this.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I agree with you there. Both parties are bad but the democrats have been much worse lately. And if you look at each governor’s term as opposed to specific increases, you’ll see Malloy is much worse than Weicker was. Either way, both Malloy and Lamont should be embarrassed and the residents of CT should be outraged at even the proposal of this.

But keep in mind that Malloy was facing a situation that was much worse than other Governors had. He had to pay for past sins during a serious recession. Not a good situation. Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

But keep in mind that Malloy was facing a situation that was much worse than other Governors had. He had to pay for past sins during a serious recession. Not a good situation. Jay

You’re right - but doesn’t change the fact that he was very tax happy. And he further was successful in sucking money from the suburban communities to throw at the cities, who did nothing but mismanage their funds for many years, but that’s another thread. He was awful and I’m concerned for CT that Lamont will be worse.

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

You’re right - but doesn’t change the fact that he was very tax happy. And he further was successful in sucking money from the suburban communities to throw at the cities, who did nothing but mismanage their funds for many years, but that’s another thread. He was awful and I’m concerned for CT that Lamont will be worse.

I suspect Ned will merely be a continuation of Malloy's unwise policies. Think it's time for me to get moving myself out of this state. There's less and less that's enticing me to stay here, I'm afraid. Everything that this state prides itself on (four seasons, beautiful rolling hills, beaches, trails, the list goes on) can be found in so many other states with more reasonable taxes and more competent leadership. And I don't care if Ned inherited a mess. They all do. What matters is how you handle it. In the case of Connecticut, the solutions is always tax, tax, tax. And I've had enough. And so have a lot of other people.

[SAE72]

The Massachusetts Legislature is looking at a Bill to offer $ 10,000, payable @ $ 5000 per year ( 2 years ) for people to move to Western Massachusetts.

I live around 10 miles from Western Mass. If they pass the Legislation, it might be a good incentive to move.

Look around the country , look where the Democrat party is headed. More entitlement spending, squeezing the middle class with additional taxes, and the Social Justice Warrior mentality. Have you listened to any of their new " Rock Stars " in Congress ? Frightening.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by SAE72

The Massachusetts Legislature is looking at a Bill to offer $ 10,000, payable @ $ 5000 per year ( 2 years ) for people to move to Western Massachusetts.

I live around 10 miles from Western Mass. If they pass the Legislation, it might be a good incentive to move.

Look around the country , look where the Democrat party is headed. More entitlement spending, squeezing the middle class with additional taxes, and the Social Justice Warrior mentality. Have you listened to any of their new " Rock Stars " in Congress ? Frightening.

5k per year with a max of 2 years to move to western MA? No thanks. You’ll spend 5-10k just to hire someone to move your belongings. That’s peanuts; no thanks.

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

5k per year with a max of 2 years to move to western MA? No thanks. You’ll spend 5-10k just to hire someone to move your belongings. That’s peanuts; no thanks.

I admit it may seem like an insubstantial amount, but the fact that MA is even proposing it is impressive. Usually you see this in more rural red states. And if you contrast it with the conventional "wisdom" of our state's elected officials, which is the same rhetoric of "Well, this is CT. You should feel lucky to be here," it seems a bit more obvious why our neighboring state to the north is doing comparatively better, and will continue to do so. The politicians at the helm in CT have such a dismissive attitude towards their constituents, and it shows.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

I admit it may seem like an insubstantial amount, but the fact that MA is even proposing it is impressive. Usually you see this in more rural red states. And if you contrast it with the conventional "wisdom" of our state's elected officials, which is the same rhetoric of "Well, this is CT. You should feel lucky to be here," it seems a bit more obvious why our neighboring state to the north is doing comparatively better, and will continue to do so.

It doesn’t just seem like an insubstantial amount though, it is an insubstantial amount. How many CT residents would pack up their lives and move 20-50 miles north just to get 10k in their pocket? My guess is not many. MA is only slightly better when it comes to issues plaguing the state. Is it a good thing on paper? Sure, but in practice, 10k is a joke. Now if they were offering 100k, I might be sold - but probably not even then.

I agree with you re: dismissive attitude. Malloy was a pompous snob with that, and he couldn’t have been more wrong.

[SAE72]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

5k per year with a max of 2 years to move to western MA? No thanks. You’ll spend 5-10k just to hire someone to move your belongings. That’s peanuts; no thanks.

The taxes in a Western Massachusetts Town less than 15 miles away would be $ 1200- $ 1500 a year less for around the same house I live in now. All my children are grown, and I am starting to clean up and get rid of a lot of stuff saved over the years. As far as I know, Mass will not be taxing groceries, there aren't any sales taxes on beer and alcohol, and I could have as many satellite dishes on my home that I want. I could easily drive back to visit family and friends. Even getting to work would only be 10 -15 minutes more, not an issue at all.

It would not cost me anything near $ 5- 10M to move. Don't be surprised that if it passed, people near the border would move.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

It doesn’t just seem like an insubstantial amount though, it is an insubstantial amount. How many CT residents would pack up their lives and move 20-50 miles north just to get 10k in their pocket? My guess is not many. MA is only slightly better when it comes to issues plaguing the state. Is it a good thing on paper? Sure, but in practice, 10k is a joke. Now if they were offering 100k, I might be sold - but probably not even then.

I agree but wonder what is considered to be western Massachusetts? Springfield? Longmeadow? Northhampton? Greenfield? I doubt it. More likely Pittsfield, Lenox, Great Barrington, Stockbridge and Williamstown. Not a lot there jobs wise but boy is it pretty. Jay