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State - Budget CTMirror.org is a valuable tool when researching the State Budget, Healthcare and More The Federation of CT - Taxpayers - March 2017 The Yankee Institute Has Produced Many Valuable Reports On the Fiscal Condition of our State. Visit their website often. The Federation of CT - Taxpayers - March 2017 Many State Retiree Pensions Exceed 200,000 DOLLARS The State Debt has reached 74.3 BILLION DOLLARS. Thirteen State Labor Union Contracts are being negotiated in secret. The Federation of - Taxpayers - April 2017 State Legislature Gives Towns Power to Lend Money to Those Who Cannot Obtain Financing Thru A Bank or a Traditional Lending Institution while denying Voters a Mandated Right to a Referendum The Federation of CT - Taxpayers - October 1, 2016 THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS NOT SO STATELY Downgrades, Debt and Deficits News Updates - and More - 2016 THE LATEST ON THE STATE BUDGET MORE DEBT AND DEFICITS The CT Mirror - Staff - Oct 2016 Check to See How the Mill Rate in Your Town Compares to Other CT Towns The Top Five are HARTFORD 74.29 WATERBURY 58.22 NEW BRITAIN 49.00 NORWICH 48.06 EAST HARTFORD 45.86. State of Connecticut - Office of Policy and Management - October 2015 The government employee unions run his party – the majority party – and thus the whole state Chris Powell writes an excellent editorial - Do not miss one word of MALLOY HAD NO CHOICE WITH BUDGET CUTS AND HE DOES NOT WANT ONE Chris Powell - Journal Inquirer - Oct 2015 CT staring at another 1 BILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT after next state election Check these two websites every day to keep current on the State of our State CTMirror.org - CTNewsJunkie.com - October 2015 TRUMP TAKES ON KEY CONNECTICUT INDUSTRY Hedge Funds CTMirror.org - Anna Radelat - Aug 29, 2015 Top 10 States with the Highest Taxes Connecticut Ranks at Number 4 Cheatsheet - Staff - June 27, 2015 Another Great Website for State Budget News and More CTMirror.org, Check it Often CTMirror.org - staff - August 2015 Get the Latest on State Taxes and Budgets at CTNewsJunkie.com CTNewsJunkie - Staff - August 2015 Mallozzi Rips Malloy Fears some could lose their homes New Canaan Advertiser - Their Staff - May 2015 Lembo Backs Malloy Suggesting Smaller Deficit Ending necessity for implementing Deficit Mitigation Plan and much more news on the State Budget The Federation of - Ct Taxpayer Org - Feb 2 2015 Comptroller Lembo Projects 89.4 million dollar State Deficit For Fiscal Year 2015 after Latest Reductions State Comptroller - Lembo - Feb 2 2015 UCONN FRITTERED AWAY 902 THOUSAND DOLLARS Excellent Reporting by Don Michak of the Journal Inquirer of Manchester Don Michak - Journal Inquirer - Oct 2014 State Treasurer Targets Teacher Fund Journal Inquirer News Article on Stinging Review by State Auditors Journal Inquirer - Don Michak - Sept 2014 State of the State and Its Not Good Nonpartisan Analysts Predict State Budget Deficit of 2.8 Billion Dollars for fiscal year 2016-2017 and much more news Various News - Sources - June 2014 CT Defense Industry Wins Big in US Budget Bill And Much More News on the Budget from CTMirror CTMirror.org - Staff - Jan 2014 Connecticut Retirement Funds can Sue Amgen In a ruling by the Supreme Court Staff at - Plansponsor.com - 2013 Property Taxes Pave the Way to Serfdom If you do not pay your property taxes the town can take your property away. Michael Bargo Jr - Delaware Newszap - Jan 2014 DEMS FIND FUNDRAISING LOOPHOLE - Another Excellent Article from the Journal Inquirer Contributors give to federal account to sidestep laws Journal Inquirer - Ed Jacovino - Jan 28, 2014 25 Taxpayer Subsidized Companies Did Not Meet Contracted Job Goals State Report for 2011-12 shows that the companies in its Business Assistance Portfolio received a total of 296 million dollars in state subsidies include 219 million dollars in tax credits - 73 million dlrs in loans - 3.25 million dlrs in grants Journal Inquirer - Don Michak - June 2013 State of our State 1 Billion Dlr Deficit Awaits Next Governor CT Has Worst Performing Economies and Much More News on the State of our State The Federation of - CT Taxpayer Org - Dec 2013 Good Government or Just Good Politics Written in 1997 to Highlight State Legislators Hiring Party Loyalists which Continues Today. Susan - Kniep - July 2013 Summary of State Revenues by Fund, Tax Type and Account For Fiscal Years 2007 through 2012. Robert Young - Federation of CT Taxpayer Organizations - October 2012 FISCAL CLIFF LOOMS LARGE CT military industry jobs hang in limbo as deep budget cuts loom By Howard French - Journal Inquirer - October 9, 2012 State debt more than 37,000 Dlrs per private worker, 13,000 Dlrs per capita Connecticut among the highest State Budget Solutions - by Cory Eucalitto - Oct 2, 2012 State focuses on bankrolling businesses In one vote the commission will approve 65.2 million dollars in subsidies. Ed Jacovino - Journal Inquirer - Oct 2, 2012 Baldwin leaves state holding the bag For more than 250 Thousand Dollars LLC behind Hockey Fest at Rentschler Field owes state more than a quarter million dollars Don Michak - Journal Inquirer - Aug 2012 Connecticut Needs Tax Relief End Binding Arbitration and More Journal Inquirer of - Manchester - July 2012 Connecticut needs tax relief Abolish binding arbitration and grant teachers the right to strike.Pass Proposition 13 type legislation mandating property taxes cannot exceed a certain percentage or mill rate. The Journal Inquirer - of Manchester - July, 2012 State loses Front Street lawsuit and could be on hook for millions Halloran and Sage Represented State in 7 Yr Lawsuit at cost exceeding 3 million dollars. By Ed Jacovino - Journal Inquirer - July 20, 2012 Legislative session does not clear up uncertain fiscal outlook And Much More News on the State Budget and Legislative Session Various News - Sources - May 12, 2012 Republican Lawmakers Say Malloy Needs To Be Honest With Wall Street Republican legislative leaders claim Gov Malloy plan to use 222 million dollars that had been reserved to pay off 2009 borrowing will not help state credit rating CTNewsJunkie - Christine Stuart - May 1, 2012 Faltering income tax widens deficit threatens Malloy budget for Coming Year Malloy 20.14 billion dollar budget is 66.9 million dollars in deficit and needs to finish with 75 million surplus resulting in a 142 million dollar hole. CTMirror.org - Keith Phaneuf - April 20, 2012 State Comptroller Predicts 120 Million Dollar Deficit at Year End Despite Largest Tax Increase in History Christine Stuart - CTNewsJunkie - April 2, 2012 Public Pensions and State Debt Just How Screwed Are We Check Out Connecticut Meep - conservativecommune - April 2012 Red Light Camera Legislation Is All About the Money Hartford Courant - Kevin Rennie - April 2012 Keep Current On Ct Budget News At CTMirror CTMirror - Staff News - March 2012 Despite Rosy Talk State Budget Is Full Of Holes State Treasurer Nappier released a report that Connecticut cash on hand had dwindled to a record low.... Lawrence F. Cafero Jr - CT House Republican leader - Feb 12, 2012 Jepsen defends 25 billion dollar settlement with banks over mortgage fraud and foreclosure abuses CT share is estimated $190 million. Keep current with news on CT thorough the Journal Inquirer. Don Michak - Journal Inquirer - Feb 10, 2012 Keep Current on State Budget News Is next state tax debate nearer than expected and More State Budget News The Federation of CT - Taxpayer Organizations - Feb 2, 2012 High Taxes One Reason Moodys Wrong To Upgrade Outlook State Must Learn Difference Between Spending and Investing Hartford Courant - Commentary - Feb 2, 2012 State cash flow problem sparks partisan feud Your credit card bill is high - The state owes 19.5 billion dollars CTMirror.org - Staff - December and January First, Make Government Accountable State To Do List Redefine the relationship with employees. The state budget is not a great sow Hartford Courant - Editorial - Jan 1, 2012 Computer crash leaves MDC unable to issue, pay bills ...the head of the agency has the discretionary authority to spend as much as 1 million dollars on expenses without immediate ratification Journal Inquirer - Don Michak - Jan 7, 2012 Malloy deal with Jackson Lab Lawmakers in October approved 291 million dollars in state borrowing to finance the deal - Much of that is in forgivable loans Ed Jacovino - Journal Inquirer - Jan 6, 2012 State used borrowed funds to meet expenses This is not only mortgaging the future this is the same fiscal slight of hand that led to the downgrading of our credit said Cafero Ed Jacovino - Journal Inquirer - Jan 7, 2012 Efforts Under Way to Fix Connecticut Bridges ...of the nearly 4,000 road bridges 190 were deemed in poor condition in 2000. That figure grew to 317 by 2010. SUSAN HAIGH - Associated Press - Dec 28, 2011 PUBLIC POWER Legislative report describes how state could take over CL&P Don Michak - Journal Inquirer - December 9, 2011 Two Governors Two Styles ... Tax Cuts In Nebraska - Tax Hikes In Connecticut In Connecticut Gov Dannel Malloy enacted the largest tax increase in state history this year and the states unemployment rate of 9.1 percent ranks in the bottom half in the nation. CHRISTOPHER KEATING - The Hartford Courant - October 11, 2011 Budget leaves Malloy, lawmakers, little margin to handle crises With virtually no cushion below the constitutional spending cap, more than 830 million dollars in savings targets that must be hit, the potential for cost overruns in key health care programs, the budget effectively has no margin for error... Keith M. Phaneuf - CTMirror.org - Sept 2011 Moody to Factor In State Pension Gap In State Rating Connecticut has one of the largest total indebtedness NYTimes - Staff - Jan 2011 The state finished the 2010-11 fiscal year in June with a 236.9 million dollar surplus The surplus would have been more than 1 billion dlrs and was driven by higher than expected tax collections. But lawmakers put 14.5 million dlrs of surplus toward retiree healthcare and used 915.8 million to pay off borrowing approved to balance budget Journal Inquirer of Manchester - Staff - Sept 2, 2011 Concession deal lacks emergency safeguards if economy slumps The lack of any such provision coupled with a four year prohibition against layoffs for most unionized state employees led minority Republican lawmakers to predict the Democratic governor deal will sink state finances if Connecticut recovery from the last Keith Phaneuf - CTMirror.org - Sept 2011 AP INTERVIEW Connecticut AG drops whistleblower claims Jepsen the state Senate former Democratic majority leader has closed 513 of the 699 whistleblower cases he inherited from Blumenthal when he took office in January STEPHEN SINGER - Associated Press - Sept 2011 See what is happening in other states.... New York State budget report 4.6 billion dollar gap by 2015, U.S. budget ax hangs over California, and More State Budget Solution - Check Frequently - Aug 2011 State Surplus Reaches 159 Million Dollars But It Will not Ease Budget Woes Dan Haar - Hartford Courant - Aug 1, 2011 CTNewsjunkie.com Another Great Website to keep current on what is happening in Connecticut and at the Legislature. Keep Current on - State News - Aug 2011 Keep Current with CTMirror.org Looking for news on the State Budget... Check out CTMirror.org A great resource - check it daily - Aug 2011 States Where People Pay Most and Least in Taxes CONNECTICUT The state with the highest per capita income in the country collects more than 5,000 dollars per resident on average, THE MOST IN THE COUNTRY. Charles B. Stockdale, Michael B. Sauter, and - Douglas A. McIntyre - July 22, 2011 TAX SURPRISE Connecticut to grab more income Of the 1.45 million taxpayers in the Connecticut according to the Office of Policy and Management, the biggest portion 77 percent fall into the 5 percent and 5.5 percent tax brackets, which ranges in adjusted gross income from over 20,000 to 100,000 dolla New Haven Register - Staff - July 24, 2011 State and local pension accounting takes a GASB step toward transparency The way states and local governments account for pensions is about to change Zachary Janowski - watchdog.org - July 2011 GOP chastises Malloy for non essential projects Republicans decried more than 28 million dollars in financing released by the State Bond Commission ctmirror.org - Staff - July 2011 Towns that would lose millions concerned with lack of deal Millions at stake. Ed Jacovino - Journal Inquirer - April 2011 Republicans offer a state budget without tax hikes Our proposal achieves its objective by refocusing government on its core functions, eliminating waste and redundancy, ... Journal Inquirer - Ed Jacovino - April 19 2011 Malloy contingency plan hits aid to towns Cities and towns would lose one-third of their state aid under a contingency plan Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has requested in case there is no agreement on ONE BILLION DOLLARS in union savings and concessions to help balance his budget. Associated Press - As Apppeared in Journal Inquirer - April 2011 Subsidies not creating jobs as hoped Nearly half of 63 companies that got state Department of Economic Development grants and loans failed to create or maintain jobs agreed to Journal Inquirer - Don Michak - April, 2011 Labor talks hit the rough Before they even start Journal Inquirer - Keith Phaneuf - Jan 3, 2010 MODERATES VS LIBERALS Budget fight turns inward for state Democrats Journal Inquirer Newspaper - Keith M. Phaneuf - Dec 26, 2009 Analysis by Journal Inquirer Long fought battle for income tax change bears fruit Keith Phaneuf - Journal Inquirer - Sept 11, 2009 New budget leaves a huge mess to clean up in 2011 Though the $1.2 billion of tax hikes in the new state budget dominated debate at the Capitol, the same package digs a fiscal hole more twice that size. Keith M. Phaneuf - Journal Inquirer - Sept 1, 2009 There is always room for pork Crisis budget still contains earmarks for Democratic districts Keith M. Phaneuf - Journal Inquirer - Sept 1, 2009 WHAT THE STATE GIVETH TO SOME TOWNS, IT TAKETH AWAY FROM OTHERS! WAS YOUR TOWN ON THE RECEIVING END OF STATE GRANTS?OR DID TAXPAYERS IN YOUR TOWN SEND MORE MONEY TO THE STATE THAN WHAT YOUR TOWN RECEIVED IN RETURN? The Federation of CT - Taxpayer Organizations - Aug 2009 Rell tax plan lobs a softer hit to wealthy than expected She would increase income taxes, but give a break on the estate tax for properties worth more than $2 million Journal Inquirer - By Keith M. Phaneuf - Aug 28, 2009 Judge holds Connecticut campaign financing is unconstitutional Attorney General Richard Blumenthal expected to seek a stay of the ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York. Journal Inquirer - Alex Wood and Keith M. Phaneuf - Aug 28, 2009 Democrats offer new budget proposals, optimism Democrats have proposed nearly $2 billion to be raised this fiscal year and next Journal Inquirer - Keith M. Phaneuf - August 19, 2009 Budget standoff comes with a new price. Nappier expects state to face higher charges. If state government bond rating is downgraded, Nappier said, Connecticut could face added interest costs as high as $80 million this fiscal year. Journal Inquirer - Keith M. Phaneuf - Aug 18, 2009 Rell, lawmakers face deadline that carries $1 billion penalty State Comptroller Nancy Wyman said she is required by law to use the Rainy Day Fund, to close the deficit if one exists two months after the fiscal year has ended. Journal Inquirer - Keith M. Phaneuf - July 2009 Rell popularity takes tumble, legislators in free-fall Rell, a Republican, scores highest in her own party, with an 81 percent approval rating, and among independent voters, with 70 percent. Among Democrats, 49 percent approve of Rell and 45 percent disapprove. Keith M. Phaneuf - Journal Inquirer - July 2009 State workers making six figures, in retirement Nearly 200 retired state employees or their spouses are receiving, or are about to begin receiving, annual pensions of more than $100,000 Don Michak - Journal Inquirer - July 2009 Big raise set for top pension fund official The next chief investment officer for the state pension fund will be paid between $275,000 and $350,000 annually Don Michak - Journal Inquirer - July, 2009 Is the state sweeping its budget problems where they wont be seen? An Analysis by the Journal Inquirer on the State Budget. Keith M. Phaneuf - Journal Inquirer - July 2009 ANALYSIS... Democrat budget riddled with holes Gov Rell said ... The Democrat Budget contains so many holes that new and higher taxes would be needed every year for years to come. Journal Inquirer - Keith M. Phaneuf - June 29, 2009 Democrats send budget to Rell Governor expected to veto $2.5 billion tax package Journal Inquirer - Keith M. Phaneuf - June 28, 2009 State Unions Approve Concessions Two sides appear to have agreed to a two-year no-layoff provision.... Hartford Courant - John Lender - May 8, 2009 State Treasurer Says It is Time To Clean House At Bank Of America State Treasurer Nappier oversees the $20 billion Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds The Hartford Courant - Staff - April 2009 CONGRATULATIONS TO GOVERNOR RELL ON HER RECENTLY RELEASED BUDGET. With 5 million private sector workers on the unemployment line, Gov Rell did what most of us are doing with our own budgets - downsizing. The Federation of - Ct Taxpayer Organizations - Feb, 2009 The Federation Supports the No Tax Increase Budget Proposed by Gov. Rell We encourage the State Legislature to immediately enact reforms to Binding Arbitration Laws. Press Conference - Feb 11, 2009 - Remarks from The Federation Offers Suggestions for the Upcoming Budget Cap Local Property Taxes, Reform State Binding Arbitration Laws, and More The Federation of - Connecticut Taxpayer Org. - 2009 Governor Rell Announces Current Year Deficit Skyrockets to Nearly 922 Million Dollars Governor Rell - St of CT - 2009 Tab for state employees rising Nearly one-third of that 18.41 billion dollar plan will be spent on state workers, retirees, and their families Journal Inquirer - Keith M. Phaneuf - 2008 BOND ALLOCATION DATABASE Various Search Engines State of CT - State Comptroller - 2008 2008-2009 BUDGET Impact of 2009 Budget Rescissions Office of Policy and Management and more The Federation of - Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations - 2008 Governor Rell FY 2008-09 Midterm Budget Adjustments Budget Address February 6, 2008 and More Susan Kniep - FCTO - Feb 2008 Governor Rell - Surplus Up $92 Million Governor Rell to Mayors - Democrats Budget Proposal Has Dire Consequences for Municipalities Susan Kniep - FCTO - April 2007 STATE BUDGET DOCUMENTS Budget Documents from 2002 to 2007 OPM - State of Connecticut - August 2006 Governor M. Jodi Rell delivers her State of the State Address. Review Governor Rells FY 2006-07 Midterm Budget Adjustments. Staff - State Capital - 2006 BONDING PROCESS IN CONNECTICUT, MASSACHUSETTS, AND NEW YORK A comparison of the process Connecticut uses to authorize state bonds with that used by Massachusetts and New York. Staff - Office of Legislative Research - 2004 CONNECTICUT’S 2003 -2005 BIENNIAL BUDGET State of Connecticut 2003-2005 Budget Staff - State of Connecticut - 2005 Understanding the Budget Process in Connecticut Connecticut budget process can seem intimidating, but it need not be. The budget drives most of Connecticut state policies, especially in health care. Advocates are well advised to pay attention and learn the basics. Staff - Health Advocacy Toolbox - 2005 State Ends Year with $900,000 Surplus State Comptroller Nancy Wyman Says State Will End Fiscal Year with $900,000 Surplus Nancy Wyman - State of Connecticut - June 1, 2004 Let the Sun Shine in on the Legislature State taxes were raised by $490 million for the biennium and the citizens were not given the proper input. State Rep Seam Williams - State Legislator - Jan 16, 2004 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF BALANCED BUDGET LAW A legislative history of the law requiring a balanced budget, including legislative intent and a brief description of the political circumstances surrounding its passage. Office of Legislative Research - State of Connecticut - February, 2002 Economic Development Assistance and Job Creation from 1995 to 2001. A review of the total value of financial assistance the state economic development agencies provided to businesses from FYs 1995 to 2001 and the total number of jobs created. Office of Legislative Research - State of Connecticut - Feb 2002 Rowland Signs Final 4 Bills New 13.5 Billion Dollar Budget Enacted Gov. John G. Rowland signed the final four bills Wednesday to enact the new 13.5 billion dollar state budget. Christopher Keating - Hartford Courant - August 21, 2003 Source nytimes.com National Debt Details Welcome Fellow Taxpayers We invite you to join with The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations, Inc. (FCTO) and work to Reduce Your State and Local Taxes more...