To the editor,
Earlier this year, a Gallup survey reported that half of Connecticut’s residents say that if given the chance they would move to another state.
That’s a sad, sobering indictment of layers of taxes, red tape and often nonsensical special interest policies that have been forced upon us over the last two decades.
The frustration we feel today, often manifesting itself in our wallets, is an unfortunate reminder that we simply can’t afford to live in the past.
Energy costs in Connecticut are among the nation’s highest and our unfunded pension liabilities are so severe that we’ve been labeled a “sinkhole” state. Retirees find it too expensive to live here and our educational achievement gap is woeful. Our state is ranked among states where it’s considered the most difficult to run a business, and our economic recovery has lagged behind most others.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
So, how do we get our state back on track?
Let’s start with the foundation of our fiscal house: sound, transparent budgeting that will give residents and the people who create jobs confidence in government. How can we expect a business owner to expand — to invest in his or her own company and hire more people — when we’re unable to provide assurances that the legislature won’t simply increase taxes or impose a new fee to close yet another budget deficit? Policies such as borrowing for government operating expenses is akin to patching a leaky roof when it is a crumbling foundation that threatens the entire house.
It’s a debate that will occur yet again in the very near future. The legislature and governor elected in November must tackle a two-year deficit of $3 billion — yes, that much despite the record tax hikes imposed in 2011 just before I sought my first term in office. It’s clear that tax increases and fiscal gimmicks, such as a $90 million “state employee suggestion box” for savings, have failed to meet the expectations set by Gov. Malloy and the legislators.
State spending, or rather the governor and legislature’s unwillingness to control it, is driving the problem. Business owners have been forced to cut back, household budgets have been crimped. Government, however, continues to grow — even beyond the Constitutional Spending Cap.
Our budget has increased two-fold over the last 20 years, and today stands upward $40 billion.
If we’re going to have meaningful economic growth in this state and to get Connecticut’s unemployment rate to at least the national average, we need more lawmakers who are willing to make difficult choices on controlling spending, such as attacking fraud and waste in Medicaid.
I’m proud to have supported proposals to do that. I will continue to work to put our state on a path toward a brighter financial future — to make Connecticut is a place where people can afford to live in towns where they grew up and a place where young people can launch careers and grow roots here.
Connecticut is a great place to live, but unless we continue to move forward — to leave the last 20 years of failed policies in the rear view mirror — the results of the next Gallup poll will be worse.
Lezlye Zupkus
Prospect
The writer is the state representative and seeking re-election in the 89th House District representing Bethany, Cheshire and Prospect.
