Policy Reports
CCM provides in-depth reports on specific issues of interest to local governments. These reports are intended to educate legislators, other state officials, local officials, and the general public.
The reports will be chronologically as they are published.
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There are over 1,200 state mandates imposed on Hometown Connecticut and their residential and business property taxpayers. Relief from some of these mandates is important to the fiscal recovery of towns and cities.
Local governments support the objectives of many of these mandates - but oppose the State's failure to (1) pay for them, and (2) adjust, postpone, or repeal certain mandates particularly during the current economic climate.
Progress has been made - many state officials have become more aware of the impact of state mandates on municipalities, and their consequences in terms of financial and administrative burdens - but much more needs to be done.
This report explicitly lists what needs to be done, and how to do it - it is a blueprint for our new Governor and the 2011 General Assembly to champion real state mandates relief.
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Connecticut's large cities are regional hubs for jobs, healthcare and culture. They are also among the poorest in the nation. They face enormous challenges in social services, education, public safety, and revenues.
These cities are also the hubs of major population areas. They provide everything from employment to health care to arts and culture.
The health of our central cities, their surrounding suburbs, and the state are linked. Despite tough fiscal times, state government has a moral and economic imperative to provide increased assistance to Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury. Strong cities will yield statewide benefits for years to come. As go these cities, so goes Connecticut.
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In Connecticut, the State's share of public elementary and secondary education costs is too low. According to the U.S. Census, Connecticut's towns and cities contribute a larger portion of funds for public education than do municipalities in all but one other state - and that portion is growing.
The cost for public education across the state for the current school year is $10.4 billion. Municipal property taxpayers will:
- Finance 54.4% of that amount (at least $ 5.7 billion). The State contributes an estimated 37.8% and the federal government 7.4%. The rest comes from private sources.
- Pay about $.64 cents of every dollar raised in property taxes toward K-12 public education.
- Pay for at least 60% of Connecticut's over $ 1.5 billion in special-education costs.
- Pick-up the bill for numerous other state-mandated education priorities that are not fully funded by the State.
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Connecticut statutes dictate that towns and cities are dependent on one tax - the property tax - for the majority of their revenue. It has become clear to almost everyone, however, that this regressive tax is inadequate for funding local government services in the 21st Century.
What worked in 1810 doesn't work in 2010.
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Connecticut's state government stands at the edge of a fiscal cliff.
The State recently adopted a revised budget for FY2011. The plan achieved a balanced budget by relying on several one-time revenue sources and further deferring some required expenditures into future years. Unfortunately, this solution only delays the inevitable, and as soon as FY2012, massive state budget deficits are anticipated.
Structural changes are going to be needed to address the shortfalls. These changes will likely have huge implications for every citizen, business, and municipality. Towns and cities are dependent on state aid, particularly education aid, to pay for critical local public services.
Beginning in FY2012, the State is expected to face at least three straight years where annual deficits will total more than 15% of General Fund expenditures. The deficits are due to both revenue and expenditure issues.
This CCM Candidate Bulletin provides data on the issue and summarizes some of the factors that contribute to this problem. It also describes the funding cutbacks already borne by towns and cities - and warns against balancing the state budget on the backs of municipalities and their property taxpayers.
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August 2010
This annual report is a synopsis of all legislation that was passed by the General Assembly, in the regular and special sessions, that will have an impact on local governments.
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