The West Hartford Republican Party is proud to announce that it has endorsed the following candidates for this November’s election:
Joe Visconti
1st Congressional District
www.viscontiforcongress.net
Joe Merritt
5th Senatorial District
merrittforsenate@aol.com
Chad Thompson
20th Assembly District
chadt910@aol.com
Theresa McGrath
19th Assembly District
www.mcgrath08.com
Tom Knox
18th Assembly District
knoxy@comcast.net
Elly Brazell
Registrar of Voters
Elly@westhartford.org
Please join me in congratulating our candidates. Feel free to contact them with any questions and to offer your support. Stay tuned for future updates and events.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
THE CHAIRMAN'S CORNER
On April 22, 2008, the Democrat majority on the town council approved a $215.9 million municipal budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year. This 7% increase in spending, a far cry from the “maintenance” budget proclaimed by the Democrats on the council, coincides with the second year of the so-called “phase-in” of revaluation and will drive the average property tax bill for West Hartford residents to over $7,000 per year. As a referendum becomes more likely, let’s hope the council shows restraint and discipline during its second pass at the budget. With that in mind, during this time of great economic uncertainty, the town should commit itself to ending the revaluation phase-in this year and pledge to keep any tax increase to below 3% for the 2008-09 budget. This would result in some net positives for the residents of West Hartford.
First, it would show a commitment to forward thinking principles of taxation that ensure businesses and people will continue to invest in our town. Keeping any tax increase to a rate below the historical rate of inflation sends a signal to taxpayers that they can continue to get ahead by living in West Hartford. Second, it would provide certainty to taxpayers that any tax increase blamed on revaluation is a thing of the past. Finally, it would allow the town to move into next year’s budget process with a clean slate and a clear picture of what our priorities will be next year and in years to come.
History and basic economics teach us that increased tax revenues do not come from simply raising the rate of taxation. Rather, increased tax revenues come from the hard work and investment of the people being taxed. If we want to ensure that this capital continues to flow into West Hartford, and ensure that our tax revenues continue to grow, we must demand that the town adopt a pro-growth budget this year, and every year. It’s in everyone’s best interests to do so. Not just for today, but also for our future.
Let us know what you think.
First, it would show a commitment to forward thinking principles of taxation that ensure businesses and people will continue to invest in our town. Keeping any tax increase to a rate below the historical rate of inflation sends a signal to taxpayers that they can continue to get ahead by living in West Hartford. Second, it would provide certainty to taxpayers that any tax increase blamed on revaluation is a thing of the past. Finally, it would allow the town to move into next year’s budget process with a clean slate and a clear picture of what our priorities will be next year and in years to come.
History and basic economics teach us that increased tax revenues do not come from simply raising the rate of taxation. Rather, increased tax revenues come from the hard work and investment of the people being taxed. If we want to ensure that this capital continues to flow into West Hartford, and ensure that our tax revenues continue to grow, we must demand that the town adopt a pro-growth budget this year, and every year. It’s in everyone’s best interests to do so. Not just for today, but also for our future.
Let us know what you think.
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