BLAME GAME: PART DEUX
Here we go again! After a crushing rebuke at the polls on June 17, the Democrat majority on the town council pushed through another backbreaking tax hike on seniors and working families in town. Again, the Democrats blamed everyone but themselves for their bloated budget. The Democrat majority, led by Scott Slifka and Tim Brennan, again blamed the state for not providing enough education cost-sharing (ECS) funds, they again blamed the state for not providing property tax reform, and again blamed existing teacher’s union contracts for forcing an increase. I guess it is encouraging that last night Mr. Slifka, in looking to the unions for concessions, all but admitted that the Democrat majority gave too much away in labor contracts last year. I am sure his admission will make us all feel better as we are bagging our leaves next Fall.
As for property tax reform, let’s not forget what Mr. Slifka and Mr. Brennan mean by that: giving up control of our schools. There has been a lot of talk about the need for “property tax” reform, but what does it really mean? Basically, under any “reform” plan, the taxpayers of West Hartford would send more of their income, or property taxes, to the state to fund education. I can’t imagine that this would result in a good deal for West Hartford’s taxpayers or for our schools. Once we lose the ability to locally fund our schools, we lose our control over keeping our kids in neighborhood schools.
Anyway, the bottom line is that we’ve been down this road before and every year seems to bring a new excuse. I wonder what Mr. Slifka will blame a record tax increase on during the next budget season? Whatever it is, it won’t be himself or the Democratic Party.
Support Neighborhood Schools. Support Low Taxes. Support the GOP.
Justin R. Clark - Chairman
West Hartford
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5 comments:
I do think our Republican members of the town council need to be more prepared to speak and pay attention at the town council meetings. Watching the meeting on Tuesday night, it came off as whining when they had a real opportunity to bring specifics, even if they were naturally going to be voted down. And someone needs to help Steve Adler learn to pay attention. A 'Yes' on the budget, because he didn't seem to know what he was voting on? Made me embarassed to be a registered Republican.
Just one correction: It's "Democratic" not "Democrat".
The name of the national party is the Democratic party, not the Democrat party. It seems like common decency to get the name right, yes?
Sujal - I really don't think it's a question of having common decency or not, but there was certainly no insult meant at all by using the term Democrat Party. If, however, people are sensitive about it I am happy to change it going forward.
Thanks for the comments and have a great weekend.
Sujal-
The phrase "Democrat Party" is used by Rush Limbaugh to mock Democrats. The chair of WH Republican's is just parroting his hero from the "drive-by media".
Anonymous - As I said above, no insult meant at all by using the term Democrat Party. I don't quite get how it is insulting, but that is neither here nor there. No offense meant and it has been changed.
Thanks for reading the blog and stay tuned!
Justin
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