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GREENWICH, Conn. - Mr. Jim Campbell, chair of the Greenwich RNC, has criticized Governor Malloy and by extension John Blankley, who is running for the state assembly, with epithets like tax-and-spend Democrat. But lets look at the facts.
When the governor went to Hartford, he found that the previous administrations accounting had hidden a budget deficit of $3.6 billion, the highest per capita deficit in the nation. Showing true leadership, he renegotiated labor agreements with state employees, cut expenditures and increased revenues, while at the same time finding room to promote long-term growth and education reforms.
He reduced a deficit representing 17 percent of the states budget to a 10th of 1 percent. Far from going on a tax-and-spend binge, thats what I call showing responsibility and getting our finances back on track, to use John Blankleys words.
I am sorry that Rep. (Livy) Floren, Mr. Blankleys opponent, voted against the governors budget. I think she should have supported it. Given the size of the problem, there was no way to remedy the situation without pain.
It is greatly to the governors credit that he found a balanced way for this to be shared. We can all remember how vigorously the unions fought against the give-backs.
Everyone recognizes that the next big problem is our states accumulated debt andunfounded pension liabilities. Only strong leadership, as we now have in the governorsmansion, will address these issues.
Lets help the governor and send to Hartford an experienced and successful businessman to provide proactive assistance in getting our state back on track. Join me in voting for John Blankley for the state assembly.
- Gerald A. Pollack, Old Greenwich
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