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To say that Jeff Wright thinks that Connecticuts spending has gotten out of control would be an understatement. The Trumbull resident pointed to the graph presented by state Sen. John McKinney in Fairfield on Saturday, charting a 240 percent increase in the state budget over the last 20 years, and had to say something. He pleaded with McKinney and the rest of Fairfields delegation in the General Assembly to trim the size of the government and avoid the proposed tax increases.
Were just running out of money, Jeff said. I know personally, in my household, Im running out of money.
Jeff was not alone. Saturdays Town Hall meeting with McKinney, R-Fairfield, and state Reps. Brenda Kupchick, R-132, Kim Fawcett, D-133, and Tony Hwang, R-134, filled the Board of Educations conference room with concerned Fairfielders. Many residents offered suggestions to the legislators, but the same two points arose throughout the afternoon: Connecticuts government spends too much money, and taxes are too high.
Ellen Jacobs, a Fairfield resident, challenged Gov. Dannell Malloys proposal to increase sales tax and raise taxes on gas and for services such as hotel stays. She voiced a concern that many at the meeting had: that taxes would drive businesses and people out of the state. The list goes on and on, Ellen said. You are killing the golden goose.
The legislators pledged to take a hard stance on the budget talks and to look at every possible way to make budget cuts. But none took up the challenge posed by Fairfields Bob MacGuffie, who asked them to refuse to vote for any tax increases. McKinney said it would not be fair to step into negotiations with Malloy with any measure off the table.
McKinney encouraged Wright and other voters to attend Malloys Town Hall meetings across the state, and Fairfields own follow-up on March 24 at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. He added, I think if you let peoples voices be heard, and were going to end up with the budget thats best for the people of Connecticut.
What do you think Fairfields state representatives should do about state spending? Vent your own frustrations in the comments below.
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