Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations

A sincere thank you to the many contributors of Tax Talk who have been sending� news articles from publications throughout the country on tax related issues,� eminent domain, etc.�� Keep them coming, along with any comments you may wish to offer.��

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VOTE on NOV 7, 2006

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FCTO extends its sincere appreciation to Stephen Kitsock of Manchester for sharing his excellent editorial on this upcoming election.� I know that there are many concerned taxpayers who share Steve�s position of wanting to see new faces in the legislature after November 7.� It�s important to remember that the latest legislative session in Connecticut ended without property tax reform, eminent domain reform or binding arbitration reform.� In fact, failure to reform the revaluation system at the State level will result in steep tax increases for Connecticut taxpayers.�� Again, we thank Steve and invite him to be a frequent contributor to Tax Talk.� Susan

From Steve Kitsock�.� I know, I know, there's an important Federal election coming up in a matter of weeks, but let's not forget that there's also an important State election on that same day.

Local citizens ought to take some time to consider just what they want from their State Legislature and think about just whom they elect to represent their Town. Our State Legislature has given us nothing but the highest tax rate in the country, a rapidly decaying infrastructure, an out-of-control social services system, civil-unions (the first step toward homosexual marriage), and a ridiculous piece of "junk food" legislation. To put it simply, we, the taxpayers, pay a lot for very little in return due to the ineptitude of many in the State legislature.�

�According to the National Taxpayers Union, in a letter written to the Connecticut Legislature dated March 22, 2005, "The tax burden per capita in Connecticut is the highest in the nation at 33 percent of average resident's income going to taxes". What have we gotten for this? - Our roads and bridges are still in need of major, costly improvements. It is all too common to hear on the news of another child brutally attacked and abused by someone known to social services, yet allowed to "slip through the cracks" of a bureaucracy run amok. Many of our representatives, voted for atrocious legislation which you will never see in their literature which they send to your homes.��

�But, don't lose heart, folks, they did give us the anti-fat legislation! Poor little Joey, nor his mother or father, have the will to bypass a trip to McDonalds, so the State will do it for him. Egad!

It is time for change in Connecticut. I do hope that our citizens will consider a break from the norm and vote to bring in some new blood to a new State Legislature that will bring us back to Earth!

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Kudos to� Arlene Lucian of Waterbury, Stonewall1978@aol.com , who sent us the following article.� Arlene has led the fight to protect the rights of property owners impacted by Group Homes.� To learn more about the impact of Group Homes visit FCTO�s website at http://ctact.org/ , subsection Group Homes.� OmHom

Waterbury neighbors say group home out!

Quote from news article:

�Blumenthal faults the state Department of Mental Retardation for

not putting the management of the new group home out to a public bidding process�

Thursday, November 2, 2006, BY MICHAEL PUFFER, Copyright � 2006 Republican-American, WATERBURY -- Country Club residents met with Mayor Michael J. Jarjura and local legislators Wednesday to demand the politicians help remove a new group home for the mentally retarded at 9 Country Club Woods Circle.�� http://www.rep-am.com/story.php?id=14806

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Again, we thank Theresa McGrath, FACE0203@comcast.net , for keeping us current on School related issues.�

School tax funding has shifted Local property taxes are paying a bigger share of public education. Consumer complaints are rising. http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/30/State/School_tax_funding_ha.shtml

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Eminent domain and the ballot box

Numerous challenges to the government's right to seize or regulate private property are up for vote this election day, By Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer

October 30 2006: 4:22 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Eminent domain is a hot-button issue this fall - 12 states have measures on the ballot to restrict the government from taking property for private uses.� The spark for all this activity is Kelo v. New London: The Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that the Connecticut city could seize well-maintained private homes and give them to a developer. http://money.cnn.com/2006/10/30/real_estate/eminent_domain_on_ballot/index.htm?postversion=2006103016

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PROPERTY TAXES:�

Property tax reform concept gains support, Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/3/06, TRENTON: Amending the state constitution to require the state to annually pay part of a homeowner's property taxes gained Republican support Thursday as legislators moved to finalize ideas to lower property taxes.� A legislative committee debating whether the state constitution should be amended to slice the nation's highest property taxes met privately for three hours Thursday. Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-Morris, backed a plan by Assemblyman John Burzichelli, D-Gloucester, to amend the constitution to force the state to pay some of a homeowner's property taxes.� The Associated Press http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061103/NEWS03/611030369/1007/rss03

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Revaluation in New Jersey� http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk0OSZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Njk4MTA0NiZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTM=

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