June 30, 2011

REPS. JOHNSON & HADDAD SAY TOWN AID WILL NOT BE CUT
Democrats reject Governor’s proposed reductions in municipal funding

State Representatives Susan Johnson (D-Windham) and Gregory Haddad (D-Mansfield, Chaplin) and said Governor Malloy’s proposed state funding cuts to cities and towns was rejected by legislative Democrats.

“There was no appetite among Democrats to allow any cuts to municipal aid,” said Haddad, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “Towns are strapped, local budgets have been set - any cuts would cause property taxes to go up. It was unacceptable on all fronts.”

“I refused to support any package that cut state funding to Windham, which would have devastated our community,” said Johnson. “It was unfair to have left our towns wondering and waiting about state aid while a new budget agreement was reached. I’m pleased that we were able to fully restore all state funding.”

The governor recommended the cuts as part of a revised budget that became necessary in the wake of state employee union rejection of a $1.6 billion labor concession package. The lawmakers believe negotiated labor savings is still the preferred outcome and remain hopeful the unions will ultimately ratify the agreement.

Mansfield stood to lose at least $455,915, Windham $267,104 and Chaplin $51,958 from a combination of road funds and PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) reimbursements for hosting state property, colleges and hospitals. A total of $54.4 million in town aid was restored statewide, requiring the governor to find alternate savings to make up the difference.