By DAN MALLOY
Earlier this week I joined three other Connecticut mayors in Hartford to urge the Legislature to allow municipalities to levy a local sales tax as a way to hold down property taxes. Although this issue is practically a perennial favorite, there is a special urgency today. We made it clear that our cities and towns need money now, and we can’t wait for a comprehensive legislative reform solution.
At the same time, we urged the State to move aggressively on wholesale tax reform, and that allowing municipalities the local sales tax flexibility would be an important first step.
We were met with some skepticism, but it’s my hope that we were able to convey what it is like on the ground in cities and towns throughout Connecticut — education, public safety and infrastructure costs continue to go up even as we make tough budget cuts, our property owners are stretched to the limit, and without a new tool to help us manage we are out of options. I hope they got the message.
Allowing municipalities the ability to levy a local sales tax is the LAST thing I would ever want. Why are you always looking for a way to tax Stamford residents more? How about keeping to a budget and reducing city services that you cannot pay for? How about drastic education reform that does not entail throwing more money at a school system that does not work? Of course I do not want real estate taxes to increase, but come on Mayor…how is raising the sales tax any better?