Mike McGarry writes that Hartford and Connecticut residents are facing large tax increases in the coming year(s). Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: December 16, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_121610.asp
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If the state could add $200 million a year to its coffers without raising tax rates, giving handouts to corporations, borrowing on Wall Street or begging the Feds for more cash, most people would say, "Do it!" That's what a start-up firm from New York might be able to pull off for Connecticut, with what it says is a simple software program � sending sales tax dollars directly to the state almost as soon as they're rung up at the cash register. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 03, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_040313.asp
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In a dramatic finish to a disjointed day, the General Assembly recently passed critical improvements to the state's campaign finance reform law only minutes before the midnight adjournment deadline. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 4, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_050406.asp
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San Bernardino, Stockton, and Mammoth Lakes, California. West Haven, East Haven and Jewett City, Connecticut. What they all have in common are ugly and apparently cure-resistant financial troubles. But, Connecticut officials insist there's no indication that any city or town in our Land of Steady Habits is now teetering on the cliff edge of bankruptcy. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: July 24, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_advocate_072412.asp
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While bankers on Wall Street bask in the glow of a $21.5 billion bonus season, another bonus ritual is playing out for tens of thousands of low-wage Connecticut workers this month. It's the earned income tax credit, a federal program designed to reward work by offering low-income earners a credit of up to $4,400 on their federal tax return. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 14, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_021406.asp
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The state's leading lobbyist for cities and towns is ripping Gov. M. Jodi Rell's revived plan to place a state-mandated cap on property taxes as "wrong for Connecticut." In strong language, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities says Rell's proposal is "a cure worse than the disease" that might look good at first but ultimately is not real property tax reform. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 22, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_122207.asp
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More feet will soon be on the streets of downtown Hartford, as a project with nine security ambassadors and six street cleaners prepares for a May 2007 start. The new street presence will be the product of the recently formed Hartford Business Improvement District. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 9, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_courant_030907.asp
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At the August 13, 2007 city council meeting, the council approved a resolution that would set up a task force to review and recommend property tax reform options. The task force members will be appointed by the mayor and will include representatives from small businesses in different sections of the city, homeowners, renters, someone representing large taxpayer interests, as well as economists and real estate professionals. However, the Hartford Small Business Alliance, which has been the most vocal organization in opposition to the mayor�s phased-in tax plans, reacted with surprise and disappointment when they weren�t included in the mayor�s task force plans. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: August 20, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/hbj_082007.asp
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This Courant editorial urges the next governor�s office to make Smart Growth a priority, whether the Republican, Governor M. Jodi Rell or the Democratic challenger, Mayor John DeStefano, is the winner. Smart growth is not a partisan issue. After the election, the governor should convene a session with legislative leaders, key commissioners and civic groups such as 1,000 Friends to take the best of the candidates' proposals, plus examples that work in other states, and put together a program that will do the job in Connecticut. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 27, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/SmartGrowth/htfd_courant_102706.asp
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The good news is that the state is buying two major office buildings � Connecticut River Plaza on Columbus Boulevard and 55 Farmington Avenue � for $52 million, as part of a plan to get out of expensive leases and avoid expensive repairs to aging state-owned buildings. The state estimates the consolidation will save the $100 million over the next 20 years, twice that when adjusted for inflation. But, the two buildings, now privately owned, generate about $2 million a year in property taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 07, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030713.asp
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State Rep. Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, writes that when comparing the Democrats' budget proposal with the governor's, what stands out is the difference between sound policy and bad policy. Nowhere is this more evident than on the issue of property tax reform. When the Democrats in the General Assembly set out to address property tax reform this year, they understood that a sound policy would require a combination of short-term relief and long-term reform. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 6, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_050607_a.asp
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Helen Ubi�as comments on the Connecticut state legislature�s approval of the plan to ease the impact of tax revaluation on city homeowners developed by Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 7, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_050706.asp
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A dozen protesters who sat down and blocked a normally busy I-84 entrance ramp were quietly arrested by waiting police recently, the culmination of a union-sponsored demonstration against economic inequality and high unemployment. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 18, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_111811.asp
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For the past five legislative seasons, since a temporary increase in a hidden municipal conveyance tax on home sales was approved, Connecticut's mayors and first selectmen have lobbied legislators to allow the new revenue stream to continue. The local officials have argued that even though the tax revenues are meant to be short-term, the additional levy on home sales really wasn't hurting homeowners who have been making loads of money in a booming housing market. But, the market is no longer booming. Home sellers are now struggling and the tax hurts. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 17, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031708.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra having failed to convince the state legislature to pass a bill that would have allowed him to bring in an additional $8 million from property taxes on apartments and residences, has put together a list of savings, adjustments to revenue estimates, and taxes that will try to fill the deficit hole. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 14, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_051412.asp
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The most important project in Hartford � for what it is doing and how it is doing it � is taking place at a building most people in the region have never seen. The former M. Swift & Sons factory, once internationally known for its work in gold leafing, is tucked deep in the North End. The Swift family has given it to the highly regarded nonprofit Common Ground, which is in the process of turning it into a mixed-use workspace, which could include craftsmen and craftswomen, small manufacturing, small business start-ups and, on the surrounding land or the roof, urban agriculture. Two historic homes on the property could become homes for teachers. This points to what Hartford must do in 2011 � creatively use its existing assets to create jobs for city residents. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 16, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_011611.asp
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Nudged by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, the Connecticut DOT has begun to create a system of transportation that includes trains, planes, buses, trolleys and bikes as well as highways. That opens great possibilities for energy-saving mobility and wiser land use � if the state can find a way to pay for it. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 28, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_122810.asp
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The 2011 Connecticut General Assembly session ended recently, but one issue still remains: final approval of a crucial deal with the state employee unions. The agreement calls for $1.6 billion in projected savings and concessions over two years - a large chunk of the state's two-year, $40 billion fiscal plan that would need to be filled with cuts and layoffs if the agreement is not ratified by the unions. With no deal, the state legislature would be forced to go back into special session to balance the budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 10, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_061011.asp
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Yankee Institute research on state tax data shows that the top 6 percent of Connecticut taxpayers � those earning more than $250,000 a year � pay as much in state income taxes as the bottom 94 percent combined. The notorious top 1.3 percent of taxpayers � those who earn more than $1 million a year � provide 35 percent of state income taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 19, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041913.asp
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Amazon.com sent notices recently to the owners of Connecticut websites saying the online retailer was ending cooperative sales agreements, effective immediately, because the newly enacted state budget would require the online retailer to collect sales taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 11, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_061111.asp
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City officials are calling Hartford's first parking-ticket amnesty program a success. According to the Hartford Parking Authority, the month-long program, which allowed motorists with overdue parking tickets to pay their original fine and skip the penalties and fees, grossed more than $370,000. More than 5,500 people paid old tickets. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 10, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_041011.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra followed up an earlier statement on President Obama's budget with another statement on Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 16, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_021611_1.asp
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The governor wants the poor to pay for the state deficit. Now it's up to Democrats to broker a fair budget. When Gov. Jodi Rell presented her state budget proposal in February, she promised "shared pain" and "shared sacrifice." But, Rell would avoid hiking the income tax and cutting money for cities and towns by making the elderly pay more for prescription drugs and slashing funds for needle-exchange programs (see sidebar), just two of what turned out to be a laundry list of draconian cuts to state services. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: June 09, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_advocate_060909.asp
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The state's urgent need to nurture and keep homegrown startup firms, long a weak area of economic development here, is showing some signs of progress with aggressive policies that started in 2010. Thirty companies have gotten investments since a law took effect 18 months ago allowing investors who put at least $100,000 into young, small Connecticut firms in certain technology and science fields to deduct a quarter of that investment from their state income taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 23, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_012312.asp
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John Tornatore, owner of Gordon Bonetti Florist on Franklin Avenue, had a special delivery to make at the recent public hearing at Bulkeley High School on Mayor Eddie Perez�s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. But Tornatore didn�t hand out roses or chocolates. Instead, he delivered a stinging criticism of Perez�s financial management of the city. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: April 30, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_043009_1.asp
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In this era of deteriorating highways and diminishing federal and state transportation dollars, there doesn't seem to be any way of avoiding the topic of restoring tolls in Connecticut. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: March 05, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_030513.asp
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Governors visit businesses in other states all the time, usually in low-key meetings that aren�t publicized. But that�s not how they roll in Texas, and Gov. Rick Perry let everyone know he was on his way to New York and Connecticut to raid companies � complete with a $1 million TV ad campaign. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 10, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_061013_1.asp
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State Rep. Art Feltman discusses the recent assessment notices which Hartford property owners received, reflecting the October 2006 revaluation. He explains how tax bills will be determined. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 13, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_121306.asp
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At Wish Elementary School, the sixth-graders in Sherri Ziplow's classroom participated in a time-tested American activity: trying to outsmart the "Taxman." The Taxman math game requires students to work with fractions, least common multiples and greatest common factors in an attempt to defeat the tax collector. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 24, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_102412.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra opened a public hearing recently by saying his proposed budget for 2012-13 was the most difficult he�s had to prepare in all his years at city hall � including his roughly four years on the city council and nearly two years in the city�s top job. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 25, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_042512.asp
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Tom Condon expresses the opinion that Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell's plan to cap municipal property taxes strikes him � as it did when she proposed it last year � as a simplistic and incomplete solution to a very complex problem, and one that will almost assuredly drive more sprawl. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 20, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_012008.asp
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Two respected analysts recently said Connecticut is in terrible fiscal shape. Former U.S. Comptroller General David M. Walker, now head of the Comeback America Initiative, and UConn economics professor and think-tank chief Fred V. Carstensen both warned of the dangers of failing to rein in bonded debt. Their advice ought to be taken seriously. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 10, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051013.asp
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With the real estate market at its weakest in years and the sub-prime mortgage crisis continuing, the state's Realtors are making their biggest push yet to reduce the state's conveyance tax by $40 million as a stimulus package for the sluggish economy. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 29, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_022908.asp
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A veteran Hartford City Council member thinks the city should publish names and last known addresses of tax deadbeats to help track down people before removing their accounts from the active tax rolls. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 04, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_070409.asp
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One critique of the Occupy Hartford movement has been that a number of uninformed activists � new to the area or to activism in general � attempted to reinvent the wheel; instead of immediately reaching out to other organizations in the spirit of solidarity, or simply to learn the ins and outs of local community organizing, Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: December 01, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/realhtfd_120111.asp
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Five months after the national flap over AIG, outrage over Wall Street bonuses is back, and this time the stakes in Connecticut � for taxes and for economic health � are much higher. Nearly 5,000 employees working for the nine large banks that accepted $175 billion in federal bailout money got million-dollar bonuses last year. In all, the banks handed out $32.6 billion in "performance-based" bonuses, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo disclosed recently in a report. In Connecticut, though, the debate takes on special meaning. The billions in broader Wall Street bonuses are a financial boon to the state, where many in the financial industry live. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 02, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_080209_1.asp
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Hundreds of small-business owners across Hartford are facing dramatic increases in their bills because of a new tax system, the result of a long-delayed revaluation, that is taking effect this year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 20, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_052007.asp
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Big-city mayors blasted Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget proposal recently, saying it could lead to increased local property taxes and possible layoffs of police and firefighters. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 15, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021513.asp
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The big-city mayors of Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport have all worked with Dannel Malloy, who was mayor of Stamford for 14 years. But instead of supporting their fellow city-dwelling Democrat in the upcoming gubernatorial primary, all three mayors have turned away from Malloy to throw their support to Ned Lamont. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 10, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_061010.asp
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City property assessments would increase by 3.5 percent next year and vary in the years afterward under legislation approved by the state House of Representatives recently. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 04, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_060411_1.asp
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Long before they know how much they will get in state aid, cities and towns must adopt their budgets, leaving some uncertainty about their financial situations as a new fiscal year approaches. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 02, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020213.asp
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City property assessments would increase by no more than 3 percent for each of the next five years under a bill being considered by the state legislature. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 04, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_040411.asp
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In a high-profile reversal, Gov. M. Jodi Rell allowed the state budget to take effect without line-item vetoes that would have cut $8.3 million in spending. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 09, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_090909.asp
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Even as Connecticut's elected representatives struggled in recent years to achieve the balanced budget that is required by law, cash balances have suffered � especially with the depletion of the Rainy Day Fund. We must consider the full range of fiscal tools available to address our state's fiscal dilemma, including borrowing. We have an unprecedented opportunity � aided by opportune interest rates � to address a major structural problem in a permanent way, improve liquidity and boost fiscal discipline. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 08, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020813.asp
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Stockton is one of California's larger cities. Nearly a year ago, its city council voted to file for bankruptcy. This is the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in the nation's history. Bridgeport, however, is in worse financial condition that Stockton when you consider off-balance-sheet obligations. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 17, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_051713.asp
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If the $34.8 million that Hartford taxpayers contribute toward the war in Afghanistan during fiscal year 2011 were �brought home,� 4,406 children in our city would have slots in the Head Start program, Councilperson Luis Cotto told the activists crowded inside of the City Hall atrium recently. Another possibility, he said, was that the money could be used to employ 418 elementary school teachers or provide 3,518 college scholarships for one year. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: October 16, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/realhtfd_101611.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that Connecticut lawmakers� proposal to restore tolls to finance the repair and maintenance of the state's aging highway infrastructure is a good idea. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 28, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_022810.asp
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In the spring of 2007, Hartford�s small businesses joined to protest dramatic tax increases caused primarily by the property revaluation process. They formed a group known as Hartford Small Business and Taxpayer Alliance (HSBTA) and, while no long-range solution was found to the city�s tax woes, the City agreed to phase in the increase due to the revaluation over a five year period as a stop-gap measure. While the HSBTA worked with City and State leaders over the past year to develop a long-range solution, it was never found. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: May 08, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_050808.asp
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The state's budget crisis continues, despite tax hikes, wage freezes, a spending slowdown. This calls, sadly, for painful cuts and another look at what state employees can do to help. Most other options are gone. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 17, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_111712.asp
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State budget negotiators reached a tentative agreement recently on a deal that would provide large spending increases for health care and public education, but little relief for taxpayers. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 19, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_061907.asp
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There are two critical issues for the governor and the General Assembly in 2010: Preserving jobs and balancing the state budget. To balance this year's budget, Democrats and Republicans must move out of their respective comfort zones. Democrats need to wring more cuts out of programs on top of the $3 billion that's already been cut. Republicans need to eliminate bureaucracy and overhead in executive branch agencies that are bloated with 20 years worth of political appointees by GOP governors. It's time for everyone to move beyond business as usual. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 31, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_013110.asp
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After two weeks of probing on Mayor Eddie A. Perez's $547.6 million proposed budget and its associated 13 percent tax increase on the average homeowner, the City Council recently finished hearing from various city departments. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 15, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_051509.asp
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More than a week before its deadline, the city council adopted a $545.9 million budget for 2011-12 that lowers the city's tax rate by half a mill. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 24, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052411_1.asp
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Greater Hartford region housing affordable housing economic development economic recession stock market crash housing bubble real estate market numbers Greater Hartford area Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 29, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052909.asp
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The Hartford City Council had two days left to pass a budget, and the rhetoric got nasty. In a press release, Mayor Eddie A. Perez and his spokeswoman Sarah Barr singled out three of the potential no votes on the council -- Larry Deutsch, Ken Kennedy and Matt Ritter -- and said the council was "paralyzed by politics.� Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 29, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_052909.asp
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While the economy is boosting most states' fiscal pictures, Connecticut's budget health is precarious according to a national survey. The 2004 Fiscal Survey of the States found that Connecticut's year-end budget balance is well below what's considered adequate to withstand an economic downturn or runaway spending. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 17, 2004
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/courant_121704.asp
Related Link(s):
The 2004 Fiscal Survey of the States (PDF document; 59 pages)
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The Hartford city council recently decided against acting on a budget that one councilman said promised taxes so high the city would be "raping our taxpayers," and Mayor Eddie A. Perez urged the council "to put politics and posturing aside, get to work and pass a budget." Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 29, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052909_1.asp
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The Hartford Small Business Alliance, a group of small business owners concerned over their rising tax bills, have reached a settlement agreement with the city over a complaint the group filed last summer with the state's Freedom of Information Commission. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 01, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_010108.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that all along, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has insisted that he put together an honest budget that restores Connecticut state government to fiscal stability. For the most part, he has done so. But with the plan to bridge the final bit of the gap in next year's $19.8 billion budget, they're not so sure. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 04, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_060411_2.asp
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Several prominent Hartford business owners recently spoke out against Mayor Eddie A. Perez's proposed $552 million budget for next year, saying their taxes were out of control and could force them to lay off workers and consider moving. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 13, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051308.asp
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Dozens of small-business owners fearing painful tax hikes brought their cause to the city's state legislators recently, asking for a year or two to figure out a better way forward. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 23, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_052307.asp
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The federal corporate earnings tax is pulling in a smaller chunk of the profits of Connecticut's and America's largest corporations, and a smaller piece of the overall economy, than it has in decades�. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 26, 2004
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/courant_092604.asp
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Rick Green comments that Connecticut is the state with the eighth highest overall cost of living, a state that lost tens of thousands of young, educated and wealthy residents over the last decade because there isn't enough opportunity here. The cost of living here is driving people away. We are not getting the services we deserve from the $17 billion we spend. We need to do something to tell the world that Connecticut isn't such a bad place to run a business. Starting the discussion with a call to raise taxes won't help. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 28, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_012810.asp
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A new analysis by the New York Times puts the national tab at more than $80 billion a year in state and local taxpayer handouts to businesses. Those include tax breaks, low-interest loans and outright cash giveaways to encourage companies to locate in a particular area or expand there. The NYT estimates Connecticut's share of this "gigantic bill for taxpayers" at a shocking $860 million annually. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: December 11, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_121112.asp
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In this op-ed piece, William A. Hamzy and Ron Burns, two Republican state representatives express the opinion that the General Assembly's Democratic majority has always been good at talking the talk when it comes to property tax reform. Unfortunately for Connecticut's overburdened property taxpayers, they haven't done much more than that, even though they've had years to get it done. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 18, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_041807.asp
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The deal Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra needs to balance his budget is probably dead. If it fails, Segarra has to find between $7 million and $9 million in next year�s budget by the end of the month. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 09, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_050912_1.asp
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Across the state, financially bruised cities and towns are preparing to pay out money that they say they can't afford and don't want to spend. And that outflow of cash will only grow worse next year, unless the General Assembly steps in this month, according to the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 15, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_091509.asp
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Caviar? When it comes to sending the wrong message, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra will have to go some to top a lavish New Year's Eve meal at Max Downtown that was partially charged to a city credit card. Mr. Segarra and seven guests, including chief operating officer Saundra Kee Borges, dined on caviar, oysters and rack of lamb, among other succulents, and put the $700-plus food tab on mayoral chief of staff Jared Kupiec's city credit card. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 07, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_050713.asp
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An advocacy organization that represents towns and cities across the state is calling on the state to give more money to municipalities. The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities issued a campaign bulletin intended for candidates this fall. It makes one clear, if not new, point: Connecticut relies too heavily on the property tax. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: September 24, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/jcohen_092412.asp
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A student at Western Connecticut State College, who is a English education major and a member of the student government, comments on the proposed cuts and consolidation facing Eastern, Southern, Central and Western Connecticut state universities which are aimed at helping close Connecticut's budget deficit. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 16, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_031611.asp
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The Greater Hartford Coalition for Equity and Justice marked their third annual covenant celebration recently with events intended to energize members to continue their mission. The coalition represents 40 city and suburban congregations. It was formed to address issues such as the lack of affordable health care and education, tax equity and economic justice. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 1, 2005
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Link: /issues/documents/faithcommunity/htfd_courant_020105.asp
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The state has collected more money than expected from the $1-a-pack tax hike on cigarettes that started in October. At the same time, Connecticut merchants are selling fewer cigarettes. The state Office of Policy and Management predicted that the tax would raise an additional $99.3 million in the 2009-10 fiscal year. Actual revenue exceeded that prediction by $5 million. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 06, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_090610.asp
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New Haven kicked the habit years ago. Hartford is still trying to "wean itself off." But Bridgeport and dozens of other cities and towns facing deficit nightmares seem to be hooked on the cash injection you can get from this financial quick fix. The commodity these municipalities are selling is tax debt � back taxes their people and businesses owe on real estate, motor vehicles and other property. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: October 16, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_101612.asp
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A lobbying organization for the state's municipalities is asking Gov. M. Jodi Rell to come up with $60 million to help communities that have hospitals, colleges, prisons and other properties that pay no local taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 15, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041508_1.asp
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The city of Hartford is asking its largest non-profit organizations to contribute what it says could be millions in extra revenue. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 23, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_072312.asp
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An audit of the school system's spending on city-issued credit cards found no financial irregularities, according to a report released recently. The city's analysis of procurement card expenses followed recent audits of the Hartford Public Library and Hartford Parking Authority, which also revealed no issues in their p-card spending that would "warrant disclosure or management's attention," those reports stated. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 28, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_062813.asp
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A nearly two-month encampment at the corner of Farmington Avenue and Broad Street came to a quiet end recentlyy after Occupy Hartford protesters, obeying an order from Mayor Pedro Segarra, folded up their tents and left. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 07, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_120711.asp
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The city is running numbers to figure out whether it makes sense to delay the phase-in of this year's property revaluation. Councilman Matt Ritter said he and at least one other on the city council have asked the city to do the math and figure out if a revaluation delay would make sense. Such a move would mean the city would collect the same amount of tax revenue from its property owners, but the breakdown of who pays how much - from homeowners to commercial real estate owners - could change. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 28, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/cityline_052809.asp
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More than a week before its deadline, the city council recently adopted a $545.9 million budget for 2011-12 that lowers the city's tax rate by half a mill. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 24, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/cityline_052411_2.asp
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The city council made amendments to Mayor Pedro Segarra's 2012-13 proposed budget and sent the $540 million spending plan back to him for approval. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 18, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_051812_2.asp
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The city council continued to chip away at Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra's $546.6 million budget proposal for 2012-13, but not in public as the meeting was recessed. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 18, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_051812.asp
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A generous provision of the city's retirement policy could be rescinded for future employees under a new proposal from the city council. Councilman Matthew Ritter, at the recommendation of a fiscal analysis task force, has proposed requiring city workers to wait at least until age 55 before retiring. Now, city employees can retire after 20 or 25 years of service, regardless of how old they are. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 05, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_110510.asp
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After more than seven hours of debate and discussion, the city council decided to postpone action on its budget. It has until May 31, 2009 to act. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 28, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_052809.asp
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The city council and Mayor Eddie A. Perez reached a budget agreement recently that cuts spending by $9.8 million and requires no increase in the tax rate. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 20, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052010_1.asp
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Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez introduced next year�s proposed budget recently, and it came with a five percent increase in the city�s tax rate. And recently, the mayor and the city council held a public hearing on the budget at Bulkeley High School. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: June 27, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/jcohen_062710.asp
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Faced with a budget deficit projected to be more than $40 million, Mayor Eddie A. Perez and the city council have entertained novel ways to raise more money, such as imposing a commuter tax or charging for entrance to Elizabeth Park. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 06, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020610.asp
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The city could sell power from wind turbines installed on top of the old landfill. Or maybe charge admission to Elizabeth Park. It might sell unused school buildings, or tax hospital beds. Those ideas and others were discussed by Mayor Eddie A. Perez, the city council and department heads at a budget workshop recently. With a projected $40 million revenue shortfall to make up next year, city officials are considering suggestions for raising revenue, including the tried-and true method of giving residents a tax increase. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 29, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_012910_1.asp
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With Plan A for a one-year tax revaluation delay derailed in the legislature, Hartford officials are scrambling to forge a Plan B that would ease the impact of potentially lethal property-tax increases on the city's small businesses. The city council recently met to discuss a plan that would phase in the property-tax pain on some of the city's business owners over five years. But while the city says its legal interpretation says that such a phase-in would satisfy state law, others are less sure. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 8, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_060807_a.asp
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Hoping to save close to $2 million next year, the city is considering moving its employees onto the state's prescription drug plan. Chief Operating Officer David Panagore said officials are still in discussion with a few unions and with Hartford Public School employees, but he hopes to have most workers committed to the new plan by the end of the fiscal year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 25, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_022511.asp
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Big-city mayors stepped up their criticism of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget, saying a proposal to eliminate the car tax is driving nowhere fast. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 20, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032013.asp
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Connecticut's big-city mayors released a report recently reminding policy makers that their cities have greater costs in serving the poor, and have large swaths of tax exempt property, like not-for-profit hospitals, universities and state offices. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 21, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_102110.asp
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In an unprecedented show of solidarity, a coalition of Hartford�s small business owners voted recently to reject a plan that would have saved some � but not all � of them from paying the drastic increase that is expected to be included in their next tax bill. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: June 6 - 13, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_news_060607.asp
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This Hartford Courant editorial expresses the opinion that the recent adoption of the Hartford budget revealed a flaw in the city charter that must be corrected. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 16, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_061609.asp
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The city of Hartford says outsourcing its downtown parking assets could bring in around $100 million and that it would be willing to let street parking tolls rise to attract an eager bidder. City officials say the aim of privatizing parking operations is to maximize parking revenues and stabilize the city finances in the short term while providing a platform for sustainable economic growth over the long-term. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: November 22, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_112210.asp
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When a consultant representing big business interests in Hartford asked the city in February 2007 for property tax data, he got it virtually overnight. But, when an attorney representing small businesses in Hartford made the same request in June 2007, he got a runaround that lasted six months, and only ended after the Freedom of Information Commission got involved. The city ended up agreeing it had violated the Freedom of Information Act, and pledged to cooperate with the Small Business Alliance in the future in return for the alliance dropping its complaint to the commission. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: January 17, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_011708.asp
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Carolyn Murray worries what would happen to her neighborhood if a proposed 5 percent tax increase takes effect in July. She was one of dozens who spoke before Mayor Eddie A. Perez and the city council on Tuesday. City residents and workers offered their perspective on Perez's 2010-11 budget, which calls for a 5 percent property tax increase and a $19 million, or 3.5 percent, boost in spending, during a public hearing at Bulkeley High School. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 28, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_042810.asp
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With hundreds of small businesses facing sharp tax increases, Hartford's city council has asked the state legislature for help. Not for money, but for time. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 22, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Neighborhoods/htfd_courant_052207.asp
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Occupy Hartford began on a sunny autumn afternoon in October 2011 but ended on a dreary December day as the City of Hartford closed down the site on December 6, 2011. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: December 08, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_120811.asp
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Six months after the Hartford Small Business Alliance requested information concerning the 2006 revaluation that sent property taxes for small business owners skyrocketing, the City of Hartford has admitted it stonewalled the Alliance, withholding the electronic data and e-mail correspondence they were seeking. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: December 28, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_advocate_122807.asp
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Mike McGarry discusses the deadlines for paying city taxes and the penalties if they are late. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: April 11, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_041113.asp
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The City Council recently passed a resolution forming a task force to study Hartford's property tax mess and fix it. Small business leaders have already rejected the plan. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: August 30, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_083007.asp
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The city recently approved the allocation of $1.25 million to hire more inspectors, more public works employees, a lawyer and two interns to address blighted buildings and related issues. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 18, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_071811_1.asp
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Yesterday was the deadline for eligible city employees to file paperwork for the voluntary retirement incentive program (passed by city council in October). Some 30 city employees -- including Treasurer Kathleen Palm Devine, Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson and John McGrane, assistant director of the Department of Public Works -- have applied for it. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 30, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_113010.asp
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Facing a $56.2 million budget deficit next fiscal year, Hartford city officials are considering a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes program aimed at larger nonprofits. The goal is to generate revenue from tax-exempt organizations that own a significant amount of property in the Capitol City. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: March 05, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/hbj_030512.asp
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Talk of the tone of the rhetoric surrounding the Hartford budget debate continued, as City Treasurer Kathleen Palm Devine called the words of a spokeswoman for Mayor Eddie A. Perez "completely inappropriate." Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 30, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_053009.asp
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The city cut $3.2 million out of the salaries and benefits of the city's workers when it approved its budget on recently. The coalition's six unions have offered a mix of wage deferrals, furlough days, and increased health costs in exchange for contract guarantees and a pledge of no layoffs. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 04, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_060409_2.asp
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The city is so frustrated with the lack of progress in renovations at the old Bond Hotel on Asylum Street that it is moving officially to end the seven-year tax-break agreement it had with the property's owner. The owner is in the process of converting the historic hotel into a Homewood Suites extended-stay hotel, but an agreement signed with the city said he was to have completed the project by March 2005 Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 13, 2005
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_081305.asp
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Penny MacCormack, the school system's chief academic officer and a major figure in Hartford's efforts at school reform, is resigning. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 08, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_090811_1.asp
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When tax season comes around this year, Hartford will be relying on $43 million less in taxable property than it did last year, according to the recently released 2004 grand list. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 8, 2005
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020805.asp
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Hartford's 2006 grand list increased 2.36 percent over last year - the rise almost entirely due to a recent revaluation of real property in the city that dramatically boosted values, city officials said. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 7, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_020707.asp
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The city's grand list of taxable property grew to $3.74 billion in 2010, a nearly 4 percent increase over the previous year, though most of it was attributable to a phase-in of property revaluation. City Assessor Lawrence LaBarbera said the $139.6 million rise was mostly due to the phase-in of a citywide property revaluation that began in 2006 and ended in 2010. The result was the value of real property in the city grew $110.3 million. Without the revaluation, LaBarbera said, the taxable value of real property would have probably grown by only about 0.5 percent, consistent with what other municipalities have been reporting. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 03, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020311_1.asp
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Are the rich paying their fair share? Much of the presidential campaign between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney centered on that question as political operatives focused on the top 1 percent and the bottom 47 percent of American society. Now, a report released recently by New Haven-based Connecticut Voices For Children says that the poor and the middle class in Connecticut pay a higher percentage of their income in state and local taxes than the rich. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 12, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041213.asp
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Changing their traditional approach to state legislators, a coalition of mayors and first selectmen recently didn't ask for more municipal aid or the authority to levy new taxes. Instead, their chief request was for the General Assembly not to weaken Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's new budget plan. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 08, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030812.asp
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State Sen. Andrew McDonald sits right in the middle of the fierce, monthslong struggle over raising the state income tax. Lawmakers are locked in a philosophical stare-down as McDonald's fellow Democrats say the tax hike is crucial to close the state's massive budget deficit and Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell says it's bad policy to raise taxes during the state's worst fiscal crisis in decades. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 14, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_071409.asp
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A school reform organization will announce this morning that it will advocate legislation this year that would link state education funding to the relative wealth of students in individual school systems. The group will also advocate changes that would allow teacher layoff decisions to be based on job performance rather than seniority in certain cases. But some education experts say ConnCAN's lobbying tactics are really aimed at furthering its agenda to support and promote funding for charter schools. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 20, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_012011.asp
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The foundation of Connecticut�s corporate tax structure is solid. Our rate, even with the surtax is in the middle of the pack; with an expired surtax, the rate becomes impressive. We have above average tax credits and incentives, especially our research and development credits, and for the most part, through our taxing methodology, we tend to �favor our own,� � those entities headquarter in the state. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: October 24, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/region/hbj_102411.asp
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Ending the longest budget battle in state history, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said recently that she will allow a budget plan written by the legislature's Democratic majority to become law without her signature. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 02, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_090209_1.asp
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Connecticut has the most progressive distribution of federal income taxes among all U.S. states, according to a study based on recently released 2008 Internal Revenue Service data. The distribution of the burden of federal income taxes among people of different income levels varies widely for each state, according to the Tax Foundation which analyzed IRS data. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 08, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_060810.asp
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Though the nation's economic woes continue to linger, Connecticut residents have been treated to seemingly good news over the course of the last several weeks on the jobs front. Major employers Electric Boat and Frito-Lay have both announced plans to expand in the Nutmeg State, while medical device maker EpiEP Inc. signaled its intention to move to Connecticut from Virginia and East Hartford-based Oakleaf Waste Management is adding 40 jobs as it expands and plans a move to Windsor . Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 10, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_071010.asp
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Connecticut ranks as the fifth-worst state in the nation in funding pensions for its state employees, and the problem is growing worse, according to a national study released recently. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 18, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021810.asp
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Ready to settle for relatively small financial losses, leaders of most suburbs and rural towns were happy to learn Gov. M. Jodi Rell will let stand Democrats' proposed state budget, municipal lobbyists said. Communities across the state had braced for potentially deep cuts in aid, but it appears that Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport will bear most of the burden, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities said recently. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 02, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_090209_2.asp
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After dodging and weaving through financial threats for years, officials in many Connecticut municipalities predict that this summer is when taxpayers will have to face an unpopular new reality: It's time to pay more and get less. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 09, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050910.asp
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Connecticut's tax revenues plunged more than 11 percent in the first quarter of the year, part of a nationwide trend that showed the steepest drop in more than 40 years, according to a new study. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 21, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_072109.asp
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When Jim Finley reviews Connecticut's fiscal projections for the next two years, his conclusion is brief but not reassuring: "This is a public-policy time bomb." Finley, executive director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, worries that huge state deficits projected for the next two years could create further reductions in revenue sharing with local governments, meaning bad times for local governments and taxpayers alike. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 07, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_090710.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that those of us in the business community can still hear January's echoes as the new administration declared, "Connecticut, open for business." Well here we are just about to enter June and somewhere along the way that message has faded away. You have to wonder whether that grand proclamation was sincere or just a veiled cover for what has become our reality. Because the message we're living now is, "Connecticut, open season on business." Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 28, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052811.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that Smart Growth can happen in Connecticut, but it won't unless Gov. Rell and legislative leaders work together to make it a top priority. In so doing, they will be protecting the state's quality of life. That should not be a partisan concern. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 12, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/SmartGrowth/htfd_courant_111206.asp
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Toni Gold expresses the opinion that a permanent, structural shift of the burden off the local property tax and onto other, more broadly based and fairer sources - mainly the state income tax - would be fairer and more efficient than the current system. It would also act as a deterrent to the sprawl that is gobbling up Connecticut's countryside and character and encourage investment in cities that is desperately needed. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 17, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_061707.asp
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It was a small victory for local real estate agents, but members of the Connecticut Association of Realtors were not celebrating as they left the Legislative Office Building. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 26, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032610.asp
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Gearing up for the legislature's special session, the state's Realtors have taken the unusual step of running television commercials to persuade lawmakers to block the two-year extension of the real estate conveyance tax. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 29, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052908.asp
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Thomas E. Marsh, the first selectman of Chester, argues that regionalization may result in unfunded mandates and usurp local control. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 26, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_102608_1.asp
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Arts supporter and Councilman Luis Cotto recently said he'd accept a $600,000 cut in city funding for the mayor's arts stimulus program in order to balance the city budget. Cotto said his suggestion was one of many he's made on paper to Councilman Pedro Segarra, who is overseeing the budget process. Cityline is hoping to get all of the council members' recommendations soon. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 13, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/cityline_051309.asp
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With a huge budget deficit looming, the candidates for governor are debating whether the state needs to raise taxes to close the projected deficit of more than $3 billion in the next fiscal year. Republican candidate Tom Foley is ruling out an increase in any taxes, saying the budget gap can be closed through spending cuts alone. Democrat Dannel Malloy, his spokesman said, would consider tax increases only as a last resort � after first creating jobs, cutting state spending and streamlining state government. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 05, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_090510.asp
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The Hartford city council recently approved a proposal calling for a freeze on all new hiring and overtime spending that is not already budgeted, unless approved by the council. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 26, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_032613_1.asp
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Saying that the city council may need more time to reach consensus, and that Mayor Eddie A. Perez may need more time to reach a deal with city unions, Democratic Majority Leader rJo Winch said that the council could take up some, but not all, budget-related matters in the May 26, 2009 meeting.. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 26, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_052609_1.asp
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Hoping to ease the burden for local taxpayers, the city council cut $1.75 million from Mayor Pedro Segarra's proposed $547.7 million budget, effectively lowering the city's tax rate by half a mill. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 17, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/cityline_051711.asp
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After hours of backroom deliberations and deal making, the city council recently voted to cut $8.6 million from Mayor Pedro Segarra's $543.9 million budget proposal. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 20, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052013.asp
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Hoping to ease the burden for taxpayers, if only slightly, the city council cut $1.75 million from Mayor Pedro Segarra's proposed $547.7 million budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 18, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051811.asp
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The city council recently met for about an hour as it began its deliberations on Mayor Eddie A. Perez's $547.6 million budget. While it postponed some high-profile items -- whether or not to cut $6.4 million in salaries and fringe benefits, whether to cut $1.1 million from the mayor's arts stimulus program -- it took some action to close what has been called a $30 million gap. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 19, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_051909.asp
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Representatives of the city's schools spoke at length about their $96.29 million request from the city's taxpayers at the council's budget hearing recently. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 14, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/cityline_051409.asp
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Newly hired non-union city employees will have to wait until at least age 55 to retire under a new plan approved by the city council. Employees hired on or after Jan. 1 also won't be able to collect a full pension until they turn 62. Those 55 through 61 who choose to begin drawing a pension would get a reduced benefit. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 12, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_011211.asp
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The city's tax rate will drop from 72.29 mills to 71.79 mills, the second decrease since the new fiscal year began July 1, 2011. The city had adopted a $545.9 million budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year that already lowered the tax rate by half a mill. The new adjustment makes the total decrease 1 mill. Mayor Pedro Segarra said the city was able to lower the tax rate by using part of an additional $3 million the city is expected to receive under the new state budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 09, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_080911.asp
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Voters will decide in November whether the city council should get pay raises next year that would increase their salaries by nearly 80 percent. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 28, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_032811_1.asp
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It was quite an evening at the city council, as city legislators took up the budgetary vetoes of Mayor Eddie A. Perez one by one recently. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 26, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_052609.asp
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City council members said they want to lower the city's tax rate for the 2011-12 fiscal year by cutting as much as $1.75 million from Mayor Pedro Segarra's budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 16, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051611.asp
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Mike McGarry comments on the editorial and a column in the Hartford Courant that cast aspersions on the work of Saundra Kee Borges. Political leadership of the city sets policy, selects personnel and is ultimately responsible for outcomes. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: May 23, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_052313.asp
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The city of Hartford cannot tax the right to park a plane at state-owned Brainard Airport, the state Supreme Court has ruled. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 29, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_122907.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy scored some key victories during the just-completed legislative session, but critics said they came at a price. The state budget was passed, but Republicans charge that it is a porous, gimmick-filled document that will be springing holes soon. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 09, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_060913.asp
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News of a new 6 percent sales tax on ticket prices is sending nonprofit cultural and heritage groups into emergency mode. State legislators are considering the tariff on admission to museums, theaters and historic sites. For-profit venues, such as theme parks, winter skiing sites and venues for spectator sports, also are targeted. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 15, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_051509.asp
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Just two years ago, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed, and Connecticut adopted, a state Earned Income Tax Credit, known as EITC, to help hard-working parents meet their basic needs and keep their families out of poverty. In its first year, that credit helped one in eight households, in every town in the state, returning an average of $600 to 180,000 families. All were working and their incomes averaged just below $18,000 per year. Yet just two years after signing the state EITC into law, Gov. Malloy now recommends cutting it to help close the state budget gap. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 11, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031113.asp
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The city's property revaluation is underway, the first since 1999, and residents who've already endured tax hikes in recent years were worried about a major fleecing. Their property assessments were up, in some cases 200 percent or more. Fortunately, things are not as they might appear. The jump in assessed value doesn't mean there'll be a huge tax increase. There would have been, except that the General Assembly passed a law last spring allowing the city to phase in residential increases over the next five years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 3, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_120306.asp
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The last time city officials passed a budget that cut Hartford's tax rate was in the fiscal year 2005-06. The city council adopted a budget that lowers the tax rate by half a mill, from 72.79 to 72.29 mills. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 24, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/cityline_052411.asp
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Mayor Eddie A. Perez reduced his budget's proposed tax rate increase by one mill, and the opposition to the budget on the city council waned. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 31, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_053109.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that given how powerful state employee unions are, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's negotiators may have done the best they could to wring $1.6 billion in concessions to balance the state budget over the next two years. Unions would be wise to say yes to the deal reached late last week. They risk a public backlash and thousands of layoffs if they insist on sticking with the unaffordable benefits they've got. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 18, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051811_1.asp
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The threat facing the large majority of Connecticut municipalities is silent and barely visible, but creeping slowly toward them. Demographic and economic pressures threaten to eat away at the towns' revenue-raising ability and, as a result, their ability to preserve a high level of services. The reason is simple: Most towns don't have enough of the smaller, denser, more affordable homes the market now demands and, most likely, have too many of the single-family homes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 04, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_030413.asp
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First-timers caught with a small amount of pot in Connecticut will soon be treated like traffic scofflaws instead of criminals. The House of Representatives voted 90-57 Tuesday to decriminalize possession of a half-ounce or less of marijuana, the equivalent of about 30 joints. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 08, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/drugs/htfd_courant_060811.asp
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In another attempt to solve the state budget crisis, two key legislative committees approved a new Democratic budget proposal that would raise taxes by $1.8 billion and hike spending by more than $700 million over two years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 31, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_073109_1.asp
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Armed with new statistics from the legislature's nonpartisan fiscal office, the state Senate Democrats declared recently that their tax plan is far superior to Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell's. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 27, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_042707.asp
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After months of deliberations, Connecticut Democratic legislators are set to vote on a budget that raises taxes by an estimated $2.8 billion over two years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 23, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_062309.asp
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Gordon Bonetti Florist Inc. plans to close its Franklin Avenue location and do business only at its Rocky Hill store. The reason? Property taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 20, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_102011.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that facing dire fiscal prospects for next year and beyond, the Hartford city council is poised to take a small first step in getting its extravagant pension costs under control. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 14, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_111410.asp
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Faced with crushing budget deficits late last year, the city council agreed that each of its members would give back $1,000 of their $15,000 stipends to help the city balance its books. All of them did but one - Minority Leader Larry Deutsch, of the Working Families Party. Deutsch said it's not that he forgot to pay or couldn't pay. He didn't pay, he said, because he didn't think it fair to ask for a roughly seven percent reduction in salary when, in his view, the city's highly-paid staff hasn't been asked to do the same. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 15, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_071509.asp
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Of the many ideas in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget message recently, the one that has most underwhelmed mayors and first selectmen is the proposed property-tax exemption on motor vehicles. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 08, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020813_1.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has another sales job to do. He has to convince Connecticut taxpayers that the tentative concessions agreement he struck this past week with state employees' unions will result in real savings and isn't, as skeptics fear, partly built of the kind of smoke-and-mirrors wishful thinking that he's decried in the past. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 22, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052211.asp
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Even as Mayor Eddie Perez spends his days in Hartford�s Superior Court, on trial for corruption with perhaps five weeks to go, the struggle to sort out his powers as the city�s first strong mayor beginning in 2004 continues. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: May 18, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_advocate_051810.asp
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Hartford's Property Tax Reform Task Force recently completed its work with some proposals that deserve serious consideration by the General Assembly, and two that should be rejected outright as detrimental to the city. The problem is that these tax increases will almost assuredly be passed on to the tenants. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 27, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_012708.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that Connecticut taxpayers might one day look back on 2007 as a watershed. Will it be known as the year the state started to shed its dubious distinction as one of the highest property-tax states in the nation? Or will it become the year Connecticut starts its slide from No.1 in per-capita income in the nation? Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 22, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_042207.asp
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The State's finances in the lingering drag of the Great Recession are badly strained. But, crisis can be opportunity. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 28, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_112812_1.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that even though the New Britain-Hartford busway has not been built, taxpayers have already been taken for a pricey ride. The $569 million, 9.4-mile project has been years in the planning. It has boondoggle written on every milepost. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 22, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052211_1.asp
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Nothing energizes politicians like promising to reduce taxes. Recently, it was the Democrats' turn, in the battle of tax-cut one-upmanship evolving daily at the state Capitol: Legislative leaders offered a new proposal that would extend tax relief to families earning up to $272,000 annually, while raising the state income tax on those earning more. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 18, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_051807.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that Connecticut's Earned Income Tax Credit, established at the behest of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, is the height of fiscal irresponsibility and ignorance and doubled down on taxpayer-financed fraud already documented at the federal level. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 22, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032213.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that for next year and thereafter, the state should fully fund the state's statutorily promised payments in lieu of taxes, known as PILOT, to municipalities. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 04, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050408.asp
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The Mayor and his staff deserve credit for listening to the public and not increasing taxes. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: April 18, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_041813.asp
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The federal Earned Income Tax Credit program, which is available only to those who have earned wages, returned $44 billion to more than 22 million people last year � more than one of every seven workers, according to the Internal Revenue Service, which administers the program. The EITC, in operation since the mid-1970s, is one of the nation's largest anti-poverty programs, and that's how many people talk about it. In Connecticut last year, more than 166,000 low-wage workers received an estimated $290 million in federal earned income tax credit, with the average check totaling $1,600. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 13, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031308.asp
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With the state's three-year budget deficit forecast hovering between $6 billion and $9 billion, Democrats are pushing a tax plan that economists warn will wipe out thousands of jobs both in old-line and emerging Connecticut industries. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 16, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_041609.asp
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Among the many in Connecticut dumbfounded by state workers' apparent refusal this week to approve a concessions agreement that would save thousands of jobs is Sen. Edith Prague of Columbia, who aptly called labor's failure to do its share "a nightmare" and "a disaster." Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 24, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_062411.asp
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Concerned about what will happen in the summer of 2011 when the flow of federal stimulus money ends, state Education Commissioner Mark K. McQuillan said recently that he will appeal to the state's congressional delegation to support a faltering bill asking for $23 billion more for schools. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 07, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_060710.asp
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State aid sent to cities and towns for education does not always find its way to schools. Municipal officials have been able to divert portions of ECS grants to pay for roads, heavy equipment and other expenses. A bill passed last month gives school officials the leverage they need to claim the money. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 18, 2005
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Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_071805.asp
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Connecticut ended its fiscal year with an $85.5 million surplus in its coffers, which immediately was soaked up by retiree health care costs and payments on borrowing the state had to do in 2009, when the bottom fell out of revenues. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 02, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_070211_1.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant suggests Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the General Assembly should make a state earned income tax credit one of those stimulants. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 12, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021208.asp
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Two questions loomed as word spread recently that Edward S. Lampert, the billionaire who controls Sears and Kmart, had moved from from Greenwich to Florida, along with his hedge fund. Why did the 49-year-old financier leave? And will other hedge funds follow? Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 07, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_060712.asp
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The state�s $365 million budget deficit dates, in part, to two years ago when Connecticut became the first state to expand medical coverage to low-income adults as an early adopter of federal health care reform. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 19, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_111912.asp
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Mike McGarry writes about the budget process in Hartford. One wonders, as we look at the results of a government that isn�t governing, just who will come forth as our next set of leaders. Certainly a few new faces would be refreshing. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: May 28, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_052809.asp
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The looming failure of a sufficient number of unionized state workers to ratify a reasonable concessions agreement that would balance the state budget is a needless tragedy that will hurt all of Connecticut - starting with the workers themselves. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 23, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_062311.asp
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With the Christmas shopping season off to a rousing start, state officials are hoping this will be the best season in years for sales taxes pouring into state coffers. The gifts being purchased at a brisk pace at malls and retail outlets from Danbury to Stonington will not only bring smiles to the faces of young children, but also to the accountants who add up the dollars the state collects. In Connecticut, the tax collections could also increase this year in the first holiday season after the higher 6.35 percent sales tax rate became effective July 1. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 05, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_120511.asp
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Connecticut appears to be leading the nation in one important item: Optimism. How else can we explain the balancing of the state�s budget by anticipated federal aid that is both unpromised and increasingly unlikely. By using $260 million of what amounts to smoke and mirrors, Connecticut is tied with Florida and trails only Georgia, which included $370 million of funny money in its budget. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: June 07, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/hbj_060710.asp
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None of the proposed fixes to the state's budget crisis are nice, and you don't even want to know about 2012. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: December 22, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_advocate_122209.asp
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The state�s employee unions recently completed their voting on a two-year labor savings and concessions agreement with Governor Dannel Malloy. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: June 20, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/jcohen_062011.asp
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Tom Condon comments on the differences between Harrisburg, Pa. and Hartford. Though it is about half our size, Harrisburg, Pa., has much in common with Hartford. Both are state capitals, both have attractive riverfronts, historic buildings, strong mayors, active club districts. Both are also urban centers, majority-minority cities that struggle with issues of poverty and crime. But Harrisburg has virtually no surface parking lots, primarily because of a split-rate property tax. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 3, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_090306.asp
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In its sixth and final budget workshop, the city council discussed possible ways to close an estimated $17.8 million deficit for the 2011-12 budget, but came to no conclusions. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 31, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_033111_1.asp
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Despite complaints that it would backfire by hurting tourism, a new regional hotel tax designed to funnel money to cash-strapped cities and towns made it through the legislature's finance committee recently. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 06, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_040610.asp
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A key legislative committee voted recently to increase the estate tax for Connecticut's wealthiest residents to the highest level in the nation, create a new hospital tax, and increase fees for most electricity customers. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 07, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_040710.asp
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This opinion piece by Oz Griebel urges all parties to adopt a budget that ties increases in state spending to inflation and the rate of growth in the state's economy. Fiscal discipline is critical to sustaining a pro-growth environment and ensuring Connecticut's competitiveness. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 13, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_051307.asp
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Five of nine city council members want voters to decide if the panel should still get pay raises in 2012 that would increase their salaries by nearly 80 percent. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 02, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_030211.asp
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The city council by a narrow margin passed a $535 million budget with a 4.4 mill increase. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 31, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_053109_1.asp
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This Courant editorial expresses the opinion that while voters may have approved Connecticut's constitutional spending cap by a wide margin, they certainly weren't consulted when the definitions under which the cap operates were adopted. These definitions thwart the cap's goal of keeping Connecticut's spending consistent with growth in our state economy - and also have encouraged budget gimmicks, increased borrowing, cost shifting to towns and future generations, and a reluctance to seek new federal funds. It's time to repair these definitions. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 26, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/EducationFunding/htfd_courant_022607.asp
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Councilman Kenneth Kennedy wants to explore the option of charging flat fees for special events held in the city. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 13, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031311.asp
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For years, Kelly D'Aprile has struggled with rising property taxes on his commercial properties in Hartford's South End, including a building at 288 Franklin Ave. which houses is liquor store and space leased to a bank. For D'Aprile and thousands of commercial property owners across Hartford, a break is on the way in 2012, when dollar values assigned to each property as of Oct. 1, 2011 replace values from 2006 for the city's tax calculations. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 04, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_120411.asp
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About 30 residents attended a forum recently to discuss a dilemma that some say has frustrated state legislators for years: sufficiently funding public education and finding better ways to do it than relying heavily on local property taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 29, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/EducationFunding/htfd_courant_112906.asp
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Concessions by four municipal unions won city council approval recently, moving the city closer to closing a $3.2 million revenue gap in the new budget for 2009 -2010. The contracts, covering more than 500 municipal employees, are with the Hartford Professional Employees Association; Local 1716, Council 4, AFSCME; the School Crossing Guards Association and Hartford Municipal Employees Association.. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 30, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_063009.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office announced a deal recently that uses $320 million in projected surplus money to help close the final gap in the state budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 28, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052811.asp
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A largely friendly crowd of union members and Democrats came out recently to greet Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in Hartford � a city that supported him by more than 7 to 1 in the election as he became the first Democratic governor in two decades. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 22, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032211.asp
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With less than a week to go before the General Assembly's session ends, municipal leaders on Wednesday showed up at the Capitol to press lawmakers and the governor to end their stalemate and produce a budget � fast. They fear that if legislators don't lock in municipal aid now, it will be too tempting from them to slash those grants later if Connecticut's tax revenues continue to plummet over the summer. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 28, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052809.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that to help us change our driving habits, the state and federal government must tax gasoline at a level that encourages us to drive less or drive more efficient vehicles. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 22, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_022209.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses a vote of no confidence in the leaders of the General Assembly. For more than a year, our legislators have faced a budget problem that required them to surmount partisan bickering, forsake allegiance to special-interest groups and rise to a higher level of statesmanship than they have exhibited so far. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 24, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_012410.asp
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State lawmakers are consider passing reforms that may cut prison populations, reduce costs and help prepare inmates for real life. Legislation to offer inmates reduced sentences for completing or participating in drug treatment or educational programs could pass with bipartisan support. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: March 14, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/prisonerre-entry/htfd_advocate_031411.asp
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After scoring huge election victories last November and gaining the biggest state House majority since Watergate, Democrats were champing at the bit to override the Republican governor and enact a progressive income tax on the rich. They also planned to create the state's first earned income tax credit for the working poor. But the tentative two-year budget, which was debated recently at the state Capitol, failed on both counts - and some Democrats are highly disappointed. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 22, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_062207.asp
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Connecticut's state employee labor unions supported Governor Dannel Malloy�s election because he supports mandated paid sick days and he defends collective bargaining rights for public employees. But, Gov. Malloy is also demanding $2 billion in state union concessions. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: March 08, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/employment/htfd_advocate_030811.asp
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Gov. M. Jodi Rell plans to use $219 million in reserves tagged for next year's budget to help plug a projected deficit of $504 million in this year's. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 02, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030210.asp
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Gov. M. Jodi Rell called for a new era of political civility recently as she offered an $18.91 billion, no-tax-increase budget that includes the legalization of keno electronic gambling and provides loan guarantees to spur small businesses to create jobs in a sluggish economy. Saying that the cash-strapped state needs to close its current budget deficit and prepare for larger deficits in the future, Rell said in her final State of the State address that this is not the year for grandiose, big-spending plans. Instead, her budget calls for essentially flat funding for the largest items in the budget, such as money for nursing homes and aid to cities and towns. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 04, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_020410_1.asp
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After months of finger-pointing, legislative Democrats and Gov. M. Jodi Rell remain miles apart on how to solve a budget deficit projected at between $337 million and $550 million. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 29, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_122909.asp
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One year after enacting the largest tax increase in Connecticut history, state officials learned recently that the state budget is still $200 million short. Because state tax receipts were lower than expected by the traditional tax deadline of April 15, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and legislators are making moves to close the deficit. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 02, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050212.asp
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Hidden in the shadows of Connecticut�s monster deficit crisis is a rats nest of other nasty state issues waiting to trip up our new governor as his attention is locked in on budget survival. Many of these problems aren�t directly budget-related, but nearly all will be more difficult to untangle given the realities of the $3.4 billion budget gap facing Governor-elect Dan Malloy. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: November 24, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_advocate_112410.asp
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Mike McGarry comments that Hartford is facing problems in the tens of millions and we quibble over beer money. Cutting a couple of bucks means absolutely nothing when we have a budget that is $30 or so million over real income. The culprit is the property tax and the way we classify it. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: May 09, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_050913.asp
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No one can seem to agree on just who is at fault for creating an $8 million hole in next year�s budget for the city of Hartford. Is it Mayor Pedro Segarra�s fault for including that money in the budget to begin with? Is it the fault of Oz Griebel at the MetroHartford Alliance, as Segarra and State Rep. Matt Ritter say? Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 10, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_051012_1.asp
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Gov. M. Jodi Rell recently decided to suspend the heavily subsidized program nurse-training program , offered at 10 of the state's technical high schools, to save $1.7 million to help close a $600 million deficit in the state budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 09, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_120909.asp
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A group that advocates for more services for the disadvantaged says the conventional wisdom about how the state responded to its fiscal crisis is wrong, and Connecticut raised revenues more in previous recessions than in this one to close deficits. This deficit was larger, so the amount of taxes collected was larger, but as a proportion of the response, it was 37 percent, compared to 42 percent in 2002-2003 and 44 percent in 1989-1992, Connecticut Voices for Children's analysis found. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 13, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_011312.asp
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The newly formed Hartford Business Improvement District is counting on its "ambassadors" to help usher in an era of prosperity. Nine �security ambassadors� and six �cleaning ambassadors� have been deployed by the HBID to clear the way for downtown�s transition into an oasis of arts, entertainment and business. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 7, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_advocate_060707.asp
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The impasse between Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the Democratic-controlled General Assembly over how to close the state's $8.8 billion budget deficit has put Connecticut in the company of seven other states that failed to complete a budget at the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 12, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_071209_1.asp
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The 2012 tax bills, based on values the city assigned as of Oct. 1, will bring an unpleasant surprise to many owners of houses and apartments even as they bring relief to commercial building owners. That's partly because office and industrial buildings generally lost more value than residential property since 2006, the last time new values were assigned. But beyond the shift in values, Hartford � which taxes different classes of real estate at different levels � is sharply pushing up the levy on apartment buildings, which were already taxed higher than houses. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 14, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_121411.asp
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The city council recently adopted a $540.3 million spending plan for the 2012-13 fiscal year that raises the city's tax rate by 2.5 mills. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 29, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052912.asp
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In sharp contrast to last year's drawn-out budget process, the city council adopted a $544.4 million budget for 2010-11 that includes no increase in the tax rate. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 24, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052410_1.asp
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Five years ago, legislation was needed to prevent a massive tax increase for Hartford property owners. Legislators are again seeking a means to soften a blow that could mean a 100 percent tax increase for the city's residential taxpayers next year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 10, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041011.asp
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Mayor Eddie A. Perez and the city council reached an agreement recently on a $544.4 million budget for 2010-11 that cuts spending by $9.8 million and requires no increase in the tax rate. Officials hope to offset the $7.1 million reduction in salaries and benefits with union concessions, salary adjustments for nonunion employees, a retirement incentive program and adjustments to the pension contribution. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 21, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052110_1.asp
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Taxable property owners in Downtown and a portion of Asylum Hill recently voted in a city referendum to reauthorize the Hartford Business Improvement District (BID). Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: July 18, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_news_071813_7.asp
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Hartford will have to grapple with a deficit of more than $50 million in the fiscal year starting July 1 and ending June 30, 2013. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 18, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031812.asp
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Virginia Iacobucci loves running her small coffeehouse on Capitol Avenue, but the poor economy and prospects of a 5 percent increase in city property taxes make her worry about her business. Since she doesn't own the building, her tax bill arrived last year, it was nearly $1,000. That figure would go up under Mayor Eddie A. Perez's budget for 2010-11. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 07, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_050710.asp
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The city's proposal to seek bids for a long-term lease of its parking system has been indefinitely tabled. Council members, who set aside the idea a second time earlier this week, said it's not likely to come up for a vote anytime soon. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 31, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_033111.asp
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The Hartford city council recently cut $4.4 million from Mayor Eddie A. Perez's $552 million recommended 2008-09 budget, saying that the reduction was needed to blunt the impact of rising tax bills on city residents already struggling under a weakening economy. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 28, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052808.asp
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Hours ahead of a charter-imposed deadline, members of Hartford's city council narrowly passed a $535 million budget that none of them said they liked. The compromise budget will increase the tax rate by 4.44 mills, or 6.5 percent. That is higher than council members had wanted, but half the increase originally proposed by Mayor Eddie A. Perez. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 01, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_060109.asp
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The city council's budget work is not yet done, but one thing is all but certain: Mayor Eddie A. Perez's proposed 13 percent tax hike for the average homeowner stands little chance of passing. The city council has spent the month of May going through Perez's budget, department by department. Now, the council is set to begin its deliberations. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 15, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051509.asp
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City officials are considering furloughs for all Hartford employees as a way to drive down Mayor Eddie A. Perez's proposed 5 percent tax increase for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2010. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 11, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051110.asp
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For several weeks the Hartford City Council has been mulling a proposal that could secure as much as $150 million for depleted city coffers by leasing to a private company � for half a century � the city's parking facilities. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: March 14, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_advocate_031411.asp
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The city council recently approved a new, four-year labor deal with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 4, Local 1716, one of the largest city employee unions. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 23, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_102312.asp
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The city council recently approved a new, six-year labor agreement for the Hartford Police Union, which has been working under an expired contract for two years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 29, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_052912_1.asp
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Two years ago, voters narrowly approved an $11,650 salary increase for city council members, from $15,000 a year to $26,650 starting in 2012. Now they may have the opportunity to rescind those raises. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 14, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_021411.asp
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With less than three weeks until Mayor Pedro Segarra releases his 2012-13 budget, the city council looked for ways to close a $56.2 million projected deficit. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 28, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032812.asp
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The city council cut an additional $1.25 million from the proposed school budget recently, and the board of education is prepared to choose from several options to close the gap. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 21, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_052110.asp
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The Hartford city council recently cut $4.4 million from Mayor Eddie A. Perez's $552 million recommended 2008-09 budget, saying that the reduction was needed to blunt the impact of rising tax bills on city residents already struggling under a weakening economy. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 20, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052008_1.asp
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The city council postponed its meeting to amend Mayor Pedro Segarra's proposed 2013-14 budget. Council President Shawn Wooden said that council members need more time to talk about priorities and draft resolutions for amending the budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 15, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_051513_1.asp
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The plan to end the practice of awarding bonuses to many city employees, sponsored by Mayor Pedro Segarra and all nine members of the council, was introduced earlier this month. Both sides agreed to eliminate the practice after council members raised concerns about some employees � high-ranking officials who are allies of Segarra � receiving more than one bonus over a short period of time. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 19, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041913_2.asp
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Faced with the prospect of raising taxes on city residents by a total of 8.5 percent, the Hartford city council finally upholstered its red pencil. The council completely eliminated a 5 percent tax increase proposed by Mayor Eddie Perez, leaving no increase for commercial taxpayers and a 3.5 percent increase for residential property � mandated by the phase-out of a surcharge on commercial property. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 24, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052410.asp
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Hartford City Council minority leader, Larry Deutsch, wants employees at the top of the city�s pay scale to take a harder hit than those at the bottom when it comes to sharing in the sacrifice of the city�s budget. Looks like Segarra may do otherwise. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 23, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/jcohen_052312.asp
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More than a week before its deadline, the city council adopted a $545.9 million budget for 2011-12 that lowers the city's tax rate by half a mill. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 24, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052411.asp
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The city council recently postponed taking a vote on the 2013-14 budget while members try to figure out whether Mayor Pedro Segarra has the legal power to reject their amendments to his $543.9 million spending plan. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 28, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052813.asp
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Members of the city council want to take a closer look, as the city continues to face large budget deficits, at which city employees receive bonuses from the administration and why. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 20, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032013_1.asp
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Raising parking fees, closing city hall on Fridays and eliminating a fund set aside for civic and cultural services were among the suggestions that city council members recently shared to help close a looming $17.8 million budget deficit in 2011-12. Councilors were asked to present their ideas for raising revenue and reducing expenses to the mayor and the public during the third of six scheduled budget workshops at city hall. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 09, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030911.asp
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City employees will no longer receive bonuses for exceptional on-the-job performance, unless previously agreed upon in a union contract. The city council voted recently to abolish the practice of handing out the financial awards. Members have said city officials shouldn't be giving out bonuses at a time when the city is facing budget deficits. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 22, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_042213.asp
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Signaling that it wants greater fiscal accountability as the city faces a projected $70 million deficit next year, the city council recently voted to override Mayor Pedro Segarra's veto of a proposal calling for a freeze on all overtime pay and hiring that exceeds the city budget unless approved by the council. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 08, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_040813.asp
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The city council recently adopted a $538.8 million budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year that keeps the tax rate flat and decreases spending by $1.5 million over the current budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 31, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_053113.asp
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Councilman Kenneth Kennedy recently introduced a proposal that would ban the use of all city purchasing cards or credit cards used by city employees for travel, dining and other expenses. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 08, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_040813_1.asp
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Responding to projections that show staggering budget deficits in coming years, Councilman Kenneth Kennedy called for a citywide freeze on hiring and overtime pay unless approved by the city council. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 06, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_030613.asp
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Less than two weeks after the city froze all spending in the registrars of voters' office, saying it was nearly $120,000 over budget, Mayor Pedro Segarra and city council members have proposed cutting the registrars' salaries and reducing their deputies' hours to part-time. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 25, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_062513.asp
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City council members recently introduced legislation calling for an audit of city-issued credit cards to be referred to the chief state's attorney's office and the Hartford Ethics Commission. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 08, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_050813.asp
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Some state, local and business leaders are praising new sweeping reforms to Hartford�s property tax system as a step in the right direction that aims to gradually relieve businesses from continuing to pay a disproportionate share of the city�s tax bill. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: June 27, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/hbj_062711.asp
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Connecticut products - like Connecticut Beer � are sold at the XL Center. A similar effort should be made at Rentslear Field, the Convention Center, the local hotels. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: November 08, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_news_110812.asp
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One of the largest city employee unions has approved a new labor agreement that calls for a 9 percent pay raise over four years and for furlough days. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 27, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_092712.asp
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City officials spent tens of thousands of dollars on travel and dining over the past two years � including visits to high-end spots such as Max Downtown and The Hartford Club � a Courant review of city purchasing records show. The expenditures, charged by Hartford employees to their city-issued credit cards, have come under increasing scrutiny as the city grapples with a $70 million budget deficit. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 24, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_042413.asp
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Two pieces of legislation that would each provide the city with about $8 million in property tax revenue needed to balance Mayor Pedro Segarra's 2012-13 budget are still in limbo with fewer than two days left in the regular session. Segarra, who supported both bills during various stages of the session, said at least one of the bills must pass to get the roughly $8 million he has already built into his budget proposal for next year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 08, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050812_1.asp
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The city may be facing a budget deficit of $56.2 million, but Mayor Pedro Segarra has gotten a $7,650 pay increase and he gave his chief of staff a raise of about $20,000. Both raises were effective in January 2012. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 02, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_040212.asp
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The city warned its registrars of voters recently that they could spend no more money � including funds for payroll � for the remainder of the fiscal year because they are nearly $120,000 over-budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 13, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_061313_1.asp
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City officials say Hartford's grand list has grown. The Grand List for the City of Hartford has grown overall for the sixth year in a row. It is up almost 4-percent from last year. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 02, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/cityline_020211.asp
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The Hartford legislative delegation wants to know the impact of a proposal to cap small business tax increases at 6 or 7 percent this year, but city officials have not provided the assessment information legislators say they need to determine the effects of such a measure. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 12, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041208.asp
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Whether or not a bill that would allow the city to collect $8 million needed to balance its budget is revived during a special legislative session, some city leaders said they're not counting on the money, looking instead to spending cuts or a larger tax rate increase. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 10, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_051012.asp
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Mayor Eddie Perez of Hartford must think he's the top dog at AIG, the way he's handing out bonuses while his "company" teeters on the brink of economic disaster. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 01, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_090109.asp
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Despite a still faltering economy and a looming budget crisis on the state and city level, Mayor Pedro Segarra was upbeat about the city of Hartford's prospects for 2013. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: January 10, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_011013.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra said recently that he has laid off 14 employees, mostly from middle management, and eliminated five vacant jobs in an effort to balance the city's 2012-13 budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 20, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_092012.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expressed the opinion that Hartford leaders were in the midst of a difficult budget debate. Mayor Eddie Perez proposed a potentially back-breaking tax increase, and the city council tried to get that increase down to zero. The negotiations were nuanced and complex. The Courant suggested that for Mr. Perez to take part in the process because of his trial on bribery and extortion charges. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 12, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051210.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra presented his budget recently for the year that starts in July 2012. Segarra says the task in front of city leaders is unprecedented. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: April 16, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_041612.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra recently presented a $546.6 million proposed budget for 2012-13 that decreases spending but still raises the city's tax rate by 3.5 mills. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 16, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_041612_1.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra said recently he would ban the use of all city-issued credit cards for business-related entertainment, following a recommendation by the city's internal audit commission. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 06, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_050613.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra recently floated several proposals designed to save the city money by adjusting the retirement age and pension amounts for non-union city employees hired on or after Jan. 1, 2011. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 13, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_121310.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra has proposed an agreement with the developer of the former Bank of America tower on Main Street that calls for a fixed tax assessment during and after construction. Becker and Becker Associates, Inc., which plans to convert the tower at 777 Main St. into residential and commercial space, would have its real estate assessment fixed at $2.17 million beginning when the developer buys the property and starts construction. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 02, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_100212.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra recently rejected more than half the cuts made to his proposed $543.9 million budget by the city council, opting for an additional $3.9 million in reductions instead of the $8.6 million approved by the council. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 23, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052313.asp
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Calling it "one of the most difficult fiscal challenges," Mayor Pedro Segarra unveiled a $543.9 million budget proposal for 2013-14 that keeps the tax rate flat but calls for $47.7 million in cuts and $3 million in employee concessions. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 15, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_041513.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra proposed a budget recently that includes little to no increase in the tax rate, he said, but that will come at a price � tens of millions of dollars in cuts to city departments and hoped-for concessions from city unions. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 12, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041213_2.asp
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Amid what he called an "economic tsunami," Mayor Eddie A. Perez recently proposed his vision of the next fiscal year: A $554.3 million budget that increases spending and raises property taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 20, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_042010.asp
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Facing a projected $70 million deficit in the next fiscal year, Mayor Pedro Segarra has asked all city department heads to submit three proposed budgets: one that keeps spending flat, one that reduces spending by 5 percent and another that reduces it by 10 percent. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 25, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_022513.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra opened his third annual "state of the city" speech recently by pledging to close a projected budget deficit of about $70 million and to remain diligent about the city's finances. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 11, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_031113.asp
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Hartford is chock-full of talented people who work with numbers. If only a few of them could be lured to city hall, perhaps the city could successfully collect money it is owed and desperately needs. This remains a recurring problem. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 01, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_040113.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that with Hartford facing a projected $9.8 million budget deficit this year and a $17.8 million gap in 2011-12, there must be sacrifice aplenty. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 27, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_022711.asp
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When a city, like a family, is beset with financial difficulty, the sensible thing is to cut back, stretch every buck, manage tightly until things get better. Hartford has the looming red ink and is, finally, embracing the needed austerity. The city faces a shortfall of $9.4 million this year and a projected deficit of $70 million in the next fiscal year. Mayor Pedro Segarra presented a budget proposal with draconian cuts in some departments. But if the city developed a culture of thrift, such severe cuts might not be necessary. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 12, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041213_1.asp
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As the city council prepared to finalize just how high taxes will go, the third floor of City Hall was getting a new amenity. A gym. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 28, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_052809_1.asp
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Three weeks into its amnesty program, the Hartford Parking Authority has collected roughly $116,000 from drivers with outstanding parking tickets. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 22, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032211_1.asp
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Hartford is paying $600,000 to a local non-profit to plant 1,000 trees across the city. The money will begin to replace some of the trees lost in the October 2011 snow storm. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: April 10, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_041012.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that the Hartford city council has finally applied long-needed restraints on the pension plan for non-union employees. The new plan will save money � but not enough for a city staring at annual budget deficits. Real savings won't occur until the city can bargain for more realistic pension rules with city employee unions. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 01, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_020111.asp
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The city council approved a new, six-year labor agreement last week with the Hartford Police Union, whose members have been working under an expired contract for two years. The new contract includes wage freezes for the two fiscal years since the last agreement, and raises in the coming four years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 08, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_060812_1.asp
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A Trinity student was brutally assaulted just off campus in March 2012, and police say one possibility they're looking into is that his attackers may have been Trinity students. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: April 05, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/crime/jcohen_040512.asp
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The Hartford Police Union has signed off on a new six-year labor agreement with the city that includes wage freezes in its first two years and raises in the subsequent four years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 18, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_041812.asp
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In the first of six scheduled budget workshops, the city council learned recently that the city is on a pace for a $9.8 million budget deficit this year and a $17.8 million gap in 2011-12. The city's chief operating officer, David Panagore told the council that he has a plan for dealing with this year's deficit. It includes an additional $1 million in tax collections, $600,000 in rent reimbursements from the pension commission and $500,000 from property sales and billboard rent from city property. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 25, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_022511_1.asp
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As the city struggles to close a projected $70 million gap in next year's budget, early projections show that deficits will continue to worsen in coming years, to as much as $82 million in 2016-17. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 04, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030413_1.asp
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Former City Manager Saundra Kee Borges admits that she was a few months late on about $3,600 in 2007 real estate taxes. But when she went to pay the bill on her Terry Road property in June, the city told her that it had already sold her lien to an outside tax collector - roughly four months after the bill was technically overdue. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 31, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_083109.asp
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The city's registrars of voters, who for months have requested additional funding to help offset budget overruns, may finally receive some relief. But, under a new proposal by Mayor Pedro Segarra, the registrars would still have to cut their budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 15, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_031513.asp
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Residents at a public hearing recently praised Mayor Pedro Segarra for crafting a budget proposal that does not increase the tax rate, but urged him to be cautious about where he chooses to make spending reductions as the city seeks to close a deficit. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 24, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_042413_1.asp
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The city hopes to save roughly $1 million with a voluntary retirement incentive program in which 30 employees have opted to participate. The savings would help offset a projected $10 million shortfall for the current fiscal year, said David Panagore, the city's chief operating officer. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 01, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_120110_1.asp
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In the last few years, Hartford has entered each budget season with a deficit projected in the tens of millions of dollars, yet somehow managed to patch something together and call it a balanced budget. Two years ago the projected deficit was $33 million. Last year if was $50 million. How long can the city keep doing this? How many rabbits are left in the hat? As a first step, we urge Mr. Segarra to pluck the low-hanging fruit. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 12, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_031213.asp
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Hartford faces its annual go-around with the reality that expenses outrun the city�s ability to pay. Every year it seems that the city faces disaster but somehow balances the books. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: April 04, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_040413.asp
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Hartford recently offered about two dozen parcels of vacant, city-owned land at a public auction in the atrium of city hall. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 25, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052510_1.asp
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Hartford's city treasurer says Mayor Pedro Segarra's budget under funds the city's pension fund by 11 million dollars -- and that may be a violation of the city code. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 02, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_050212.asp
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The city of Hartford is facing a ten percent budget deficit next year. City officials say they may ask bigger non-profits to lend a hand...and write a check. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: March 06, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/jcohen_030612.asp
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Since the Hartford Parking Authority began cracking down on unpaid parking violations in June 2012, it has collected more than three times the money from penalties than it did during the same period last year, parking officials said. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 12, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_091212.asp
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Despite dips in tax revenue on manufacturing equipment and motor vehicles, Hartford officials said the October 2008 grand list grew by $17.5 million, marking the fourth consecutive year that the list of all taxable property has increased. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 05, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020509.asp
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The city's grand list of taxable property grew by 4 percent in 2009 to a total of $3.6 billion, city officials said. The $138.3 million overall increase was attributable to growth in the value of real property, which increased by 5.95 percent. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 08, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020810.asp
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With a state government growing and a business community shrinking, it seems we see our future path in the Capitol City. The problem is that the basis of local funding continues to be the out-of-date property tax. Either we, in Hartford anyway, drastically shrink basic services - police, fire and public works - or we find alternative revenue. Raising property taxes will lead to, as in the past, a lower tax base. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: June 13, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_061313.asp
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An internal audit of the City of Hartford revenue management unit of the city finance department was completed recently. The unit is responsible for the oversight of general fund revenue due the city, about $550 million this year. The audit found that its policies, procedures and controls relating to revenue processes needed improvement. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 05, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_070513.asp
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The Hartford Parking Authority has announced an amnesty program good for all of the month of March. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 01, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030111.asp
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Hartford has been fiddling with its tax structure for decades, shifting the burden among residential, apartment and commercial taxpayers, trying to find the right formula to bring prosperity back. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 18, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_121811.asp
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Revised revenue projections have allowed the city to lower its tax rate, Mayor Pedro Segarra said recently. The reduction is equal to half a mill as the rate drops from 72.29 mills to 71.79 mills. A mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 07, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_070711.asp
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This Hartford Courant editorial expresses the opinion that the state should not oversee Hartford's finances. But that is not to say there aren't deeply serious concerns about the city's financial picture. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 02, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_060209.asp
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Candidates for state office discussed a range of pressing issues facing the city of Hartford recently at a forum held at the Hartford Public Library. Some of the candidates were long-time veterans of political campaigning and public policy, while others were running for the first time. Generally, the issues remained consistent, however, more than once, the conversation turned to the topic of Connecticut�s tax structure and its disparate effect on cities like Hartford. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: October 18, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/realhtfd_101812.asp
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Dead, comatose or just fine, thanks? When the obscure website 24/7 Wall Street recently declared Hartford among "America's 10 Dead Cities" it provoked a variety of reactions. That range of attitudes � from love it to leave it � is more than evident from the seven people who we asked, "Is Hartford dead?" Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 05, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_090510.asp
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Hartford's registrars of voters office � which was nearly $120,000 over budget with about two weeks to go in the 2012-2013 fiscal year � was recently ordered by the city finance director to stop spending money. Not another penny. Not even for payroll. The real, permanent problem is the tripartite nature of the office. There should not be three registrars; there should be only an efficient, nonpartisan one. Hartford's charter revision commission has recommended just that. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 18, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_061813.asp
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City residents had the chance to weigh in recently on Mayor Pedro Segarra's proposed 2013-14 budget, which keeps the tax rate flat and includes deep spending cuts. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 18, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_041813.asp
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A public hearing on Mayor Pedro Segarra's $547.7 million budget drew praise recently from people who were pleased that it doesn't include a tax increase. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 27, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_042711.asp
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By 2030, Gov. M. Jodi Rell's office predicts, the population of people 65 and over in Connecticut will exceed 900,000 � a jump of more than 70 percent. The working-age population won't increase at all. Part of the problem is the high cost of housing, which makes it difficult for young families to afford to live here. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 27, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052708.asp
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Commuters and retailers in Enfield and Danbury share one reaction to the idea of highway tolls at the state's borders: "Forget it." Charging drivers who use Connecticut's highways is among the more controversial proposals before the General Assembly this year. Advocates aren't united on exactly who to charge or where to charge, and opponents have a time-tested argument to any plan: People don't like tolls. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 19, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021911.asp
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Robert Thorson, a professor at the University of Connecticut comments on the gigantic TV screen perched above the westbound exit of I-84 at Sisson Avenue. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 9, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_020906.asp
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The conversion of the old Sonesta Hotel in downtown Hartford into nearly 200 much-needed apartments could have been underway by now, if it wasn�t for one piece of financing that doesn�t normally draw a lot of attention: federal historic rehabilitation tax credits. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 10, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_051013.asp
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The nine city council members sworn in at the start of 2012 spent their first year largely in step with Mayor Pedro Segarra. The council approved numerous proposals set forth by the mayor, and both sides communicated regularly on major issues. But recently, reeling from staggering budget deficit projections and with mounting frustration, council members have taken a stand against Segarra. The council late last month passed an ordinance requiring the mayor to get the panel's approval for any overtime pay or for hiring not already budgeted � a measure that Segarra quickly vetoed. Council members followed up by voting to reverse the veto � a move that hasn't happened in years, possibly even decades. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 28, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_042813.asp
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The relationship between Hartford city hall and the governor's office might well warm up when Dan Malloy, a former 14-year Democratic mayor of Stamford, takes office as governor next month. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 16, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_121610.asp
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The state hotel tax would rise from 12 percent to 15 percent under a bill that passed the state House of Representatives by an 88-50 vote recently and is headed for action in the Senate. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 30, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_043010.asp
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The House of Representatives granted final legislative approval to Gov. Dannel Malloy's budget recently, but the debate that emerged will likely echo through the end of the legislative session and into future election campaigns. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 04, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050411.asp
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The Connecticut House of Representatives voted recently for a 277-page omnibus tax bill that repeals the cabaret tax, caps the cigar tax, provides relief for Bridgeport's pension fund, postpones fare increases on the Metro-North Commuter Railroad and closes the final budget gaps for the next two years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 07, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_060711.asp
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The state Senate and the House of Representatives recently approved a $19 billion budget compromise that increases spending by 0.9 percent, borrows nearly $1 billion for operating expenses and introduces no new taxes in an election year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 06, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050610.asp
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Tim Sullivan got everyone�s attention at a city council meeting earlier this month when he gave a short presentation on the city�s pension plan during the public comment period. Sullivan, a local businessman who served on a task force formed by the city council to examine the city�s finances, characterized the pension plan as �outrageously generous� with �six-figure pensions� for former employees who retire after 20 years while still in their 40s. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: September 27, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_advocate_092710.asp
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In this opinion piece, the authors suggest that Connecticut's lawmakers must confront the reality that the seeds of this current budget deficit were sown many years ago and it is a direct result of their past overspending. Fortunately, they can lay the groundwork for preventing future budgetary train wrecks by putting in place a Taxpayer Bill of Rights. More important, Connecticut's beleaguered taxpayers could look forward to the day the income tax is finally laid to rest. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 15, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_121508.asp
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Students came to the Capitol by the busloads recently to praise their state and private colleges and universities and to tell legislators that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's proposed budget cuts would negatively impact their hopes for the future. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 01, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_030111.asp
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Students who are undocumented immigrants at Community Colleges in Connecticut pay out-of-state tuition because they do not qualify for the lower tuition rate available for state residents. Often, they were brought here as infants or children, and have been residents of the state for years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 15, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_031511_1.asp
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Mike McGarry provides a variety of ideas to alleviate the effects of the coming property revaluation in Hartford which will increase taxes for both businesses and home owners. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: November 11, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_111110.asp
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The Community Development Block Grant program is one of those grant operations that the left loves and the right loves to hate. It funds all kinds of local programs, and like so many other funding categories, it�s on the chopping block this year as Congress tries to deal with a yawning, multi-trillion-dollar deficit. The Obama administration�s proposed 2012 budget calls for a 7.5-percent reduction in funding to the program, while a proposal from the Republican Study Committee calls for its complete elimination. In Connecticut, that would mean a loss of about $44 million statewide The two parties in Washington will have to come to some sort of compromise, and actual cuts will probably fall somewhere in the middle. But while the negotiations are going on at the federal level, local officials and groups are watching closely. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: February 22, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_advocate_022211.asp
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Rick Green comments that when � and if � this voting mess settles down, the story of Dan Malloy's apparent victory over Tom Foley in the governor's race will be a tale of the "two Connecticuts." Foley's popularity lies in the suburbs. Malloy owes his victory margin � if it holds up � to voters in the cities. On election day, Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport delivered astounding and unexpected knockout punches to the Greenwich Republican's chances in the race for governor. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 05, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/democracy/htfd_courant_110510.asp
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The state's unanticipated $400 million budget surplus for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2013 "should be a sign of cautious optimism for the future -- a good outcome," says Comptroller Kevin Lembo. But the comptroller, who announced the surplus this week, was right to warn people not to draw too many conclusions from it. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 05, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_090513.asp
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Connecticut's latest fiscal crisis roared to the forefront recently with patterns that say a lot about what we can expect to see not just this month or even in the coming year, but for the rest of Dannel P. Malloy's term as governor. The big picture is that the state faces deficits averaging $960 million a year in each of the coming three years, even after it fills a $362 million shortfall for 2012-13, all caused by a rise in Medicaid and other social services, health and pension costs and disappointing tax receipts in a balky economy. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 02, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_120212.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra has proposed changes to retirement and pension rules for city employees. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 20, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_122010.asp
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Even if death and taxes are the only things certain in life, state legislators say they can never be certain about death taxes. With no crystal ball and no idea when spectacularly wealthy Connecticut residents might die, state officials make an educated guess each year about how much they will collect in inheritance taxes. They were way off this year. Legislators expecting to collect about $150 million were stunned recently when the projection soared to $428 million � the highest amount, by far, in state history. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 11, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051113.asp
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What do Sen. Barack Obama, commentator Bill Moyers, actress Lynn Redgrave, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Charles Townes and novelist Marilynne Robinson have in common? All are members of the United Church of Christ, and all spoke to the UCC General Synod last June in Hartford. Now the presence of one of those speakers, Sen. Obama, has resulted in the Internal Revenue Service investigating the tax-exempt status of the denomination. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 02, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/faithcommunity/htfd_courant_030208.asp
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As a Connecticut state employee expresses the opinion that all state employees carefully consider the implications of a rejection of the tentative agreement between the unions and Governor Mallow, and to think about more than just themselves when casting their vote. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 22, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052211.asp
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Connecticut businesses have the lightest tax burden in the nation, according to a new study that is being hailed by some as proof that companies are overly coddled by the state, and slammed by others as misleading and dangerous. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 04, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_080411.asp
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Mike McGarry comments that everybody seems to be mad at everybody in Hartford City Hall. Here we have a situation of the city on the brink of financial ruin and once the drum beat of disunity starts, the perception of a failed city could become a reality. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: April 25, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_042513.asp
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Connecticut, one of the richest states per capita in the union, just can't seem to get on the plus side of the budget ledger. Despite a special session of the General Assembly called in December to eliminate a projected state budget deficit in the current fiscal year, revenues are lagging again and the state most likely will end the year in the red on June 30. A recent report from the Connecticut Business and Industry Association concludes that the red ink is the product of state spending policy. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 25, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_012513.asp
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City Councilman Kenneth Kennedy was one of the four on the council who voted against the recently adopted budget. Since then, he says he's taken some heat and heard the critiques of the council. Kennedy recently issued a statement about it. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 05, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_060509.asp
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Call it the tax cut that never was. When a scheduled Jan. 1 2010 sales tax cut, from 6.0 percent to 5.5 percent, was passed by the legislature in September, its approval was contingent on tax revenues staying within 1 percent of projections. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 25, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_112509.asp
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The city raised $67,000 through a public auction last week, exceeding the target of $42,000 that it had hoped to take in. About 24 parcels of vacant, city-owned land were up for auction, and three-quarters of the properties sold, said David Panagore, the city's chief operating officer. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 02, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_060210.asp
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There's a bill before the General Assembly that would allow Connecticut cities of more than 80,000 souls to implement a split-rate property tax system in which land could be taxed at a higher rate than buildings. We now do it the other way around: Hartford buildings are taxed about three times more than the land on which they sit. The idea promotes a principal planning goal in the state - carefully increasing density in city and town centers and along transit corridors. This would encourage affordable housing, which in turn would help the economy. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 30, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_043006.asp
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Recently, the Connecticut General Assembly passed one of the most important pieces of legislation in Hartford�s history. After months of negotiations between the Hartford delegation, City officials and Metro Hartford Alliance, a deal was reached that will hopefully lead Hartford and its residents and businesses down a path of stability and lower taxes. The bill that passed the legislature limits the amount that residential properties can increase as a class as a result of revaluation to approximately 3.5% Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: June 23, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_062311.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra does not have the authority to reject or amend the city council's cuts to his proposed budget, an independent lawyer hired by the council wrote in an opinion issued recently. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 30, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_053013.asp
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A measure that would have provided the city with $8 million needed to balance its 2012-13 budget and called for a state review of Hartford�s tax structure died on the House calendar when the legislative session ended at midnight. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 09, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050912.asp
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The legislature's transportation committee voted Friday to approve a bill that would enable any Connecticut municipality with a population of more than 60,000 to install cameras to take pictures of red-light violators at intersections, and to impose a fine of $124 for each violation. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 19, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031911.asp
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The 2009 Connecticut legislative session may be remembered more for what lawmakers didn't do than for what they managed to accomplish. As lawmakers stumbled toward an adjournment to finish five months worth of work, both the House of Representatives and the Senate debated relatively minor bills that were not among the year's most pressing issues. The biggest failure was clearly the lack of a state budget, as Republicans and Democrats have been stuck in gridlock over how to close a deficit projected as high as $8.7 billion over the next two fiscal years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 04, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_060409.asp
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Every few years, Hartford legislators have to weigh the concerns of homeowners and city businesses in order to figure out a way to avoid huge residential tax increases. Residential property taxes are based on a percentage of a home's assessed value. In most places, that's 70 percent. In Hartford, it's about 26 percent. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: June 03, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/jcohen_060311.asp
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The deal Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra needs to balance his budget is did not pass. Segarra has to find between $7 million and $9 million in next year�s budget by the end of the month. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 10, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_051012_3.asp
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Connecticut lawmakers recently approved a measure that nearly eliminates the state's $365 million deficit by cutting funding for hospitals and education, among a myriad of other programs. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 19, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_121912.asp
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With the clock running down on the legislative session, both chambers of the General Assembly approved a tax plan designed to allow officials in Hartford to ease the sting of increasing property values on homeowners in the city. But even as lawmakers were putting the final touches on the bill, it remained unclear whether Mayor Eddie A. Perez's dire threats last week helped - or hurt - the efforts to broker a compromise between city officials and the business community and get the legislation passed. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 4, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_050406_a.asp
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Stan Simpson expresses the opinion the legislature should not extend the temporary increase to the municipal real estate conveyance tax. The nickel-and-diming of home sellers has actually been a cash cow for municipal leaders, generating $40 million in revenue this year alone. While the municipalities have milked, home sellers are getting bilked at the closing table. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 17, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051708.asp
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With real estate values declining in the wake of the sub-prime crisis and school budgets continuing to put upward pressure on local property taxes, it should come as no surprise that even affluent towns are rejecting proposed budgets, many by wide margins. Perhaps it is time for lawmakers to consider a remedy: encourage high school students to voluntarily graduate in three years, a policy that could ultimately save property owners billions in taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 01, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_060108.asp
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This Hartford Courant editorial expresses the opinion that with the clock ticking on the 2007 legislative session, it's not too late to find common ground on needed property tax relief. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 17, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_041707.asp
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Money-saving ideas as diverse as consolidating school board functions with other city departments and purchasing sport utility vehicles for firefighters to use during medical calls have been sent to the mayor of Hartford for consideration. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 21, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032111.asp
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From Connecticut's small rural towns to its big cities and in all the suburban communities in between, Main Street is hurting. The economic distress that has marked the past year will probably get much worse before the state and its 169 municipalities begin to recover from the economic challenges they face. In the year ahead � and perhaps beyond � towns will no doubt be asked to do more with less by citizens caught in the throes of financial uncertainty. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 17, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_011710.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that Gov. M. Jodi Rell was wise in bringing to an end her long fight with legislative Democrats by holding her nose and letting their latest budget bill pass into law without her signature. She doesn't like the budget but she was right in concluding it isn't worth it to prolong the stalemate. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 02, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_090209.asp
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Rick Green comments that the summer of 2010 marks the return of the bear, Lowell P. Weicker, who is back like Rip Van Winkle and swinging at pretty much anyone within earshot, including those he likes. The message from the father of our state income tax is a grim one: If you thought his tax was a drag, wait till you see what the next governor is going to have to do. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 13, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_071310.asp
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As blunt and as feisty as ever, former Gov. Lowell P. Weicker ripped the state for failing to tackle the state's fiscal problems by spending and borrowing too much money. Weicker decried the practice - passed this year by Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the Democratic-controlled legislature - of borrowing money for operating expenses, which prompted a Wall Street agency to recently downgrade the state's bond rating. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 17, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_061710.asp
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The state's latest budget figures show tough times ahead over the next two years, placing added pressure on Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state legislators as they try to craft a budget compromise in the coming weeks. The newest numbers contained some good news: a one-time spike in tax collections for the current fiscal year. However, they also project nearly $500 million in tax shortfalls over the next two years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 30, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_043013.asp
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In the face of the hard sell from outsiders from other states who are looking to poach businesses from Connecticut, state leaders must stay focused on assets that are critical for private employers and on the need to address our major shortcomings. Led by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and several key bipartisan initiatives, Connecticut is thinking and acting again as an aggressive competitor. Exploiting assets and addressing deficiencies requires a Connecticut team captained by an energetic governor supported by an enlightened legislature and an engaged private sector. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 14, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_061413_1.asp
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After the last remnants of the once-mighty Seth Thomas Clock Co. moved out of Thomaston nearly 30 years ago, the town and state campaigned hard to attract smaller industries to the old clock factory and nearby sites. An obscure section of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's new budget plan would wipe out state grants that pay for ongoing incentives to lure manufacturers to Connecticut communities. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 28, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_022811.asp
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With towns and cities concerned about possible cuts in state aid, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said recently that he favors a local hotel tax and increasing taxing options for cities and towns. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 20, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_012011.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that the General Assembly meets in special session today to patch a $700 million hole in the 2012 state budget caused by state employees unions' failure to ratify a concession agreement. Gov. Malloy wants lawmakers to finish their work by tomorrow, the first day of the new fiscal year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 30, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_063011.asp
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Fulfilling his promise of offering shared sacrifice, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy unveiled a $19.7 billion budget recently that spreads the pain among constituency groups and generated criticism from businesses, senior citizens and Republicans. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 16, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021611_2.asp
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Seeking to close a growing budget deficit in a sluggish economy, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy recently ordered $170 million in cuts that will reach most major state agencies. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 28, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_112812.asp
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Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said recently he is working on an alternative budget in case state employees do not agree to $1 billion in givebacks and other savings next year, calling his options "nasty and ugly." Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 25, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032511.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy offered a $43.8 billion two-year budget proposal recently that eliminates most car taxes, retains corporate taxes due to expire and raises state spending by nearly 10 percent. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 06, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_020613.asp
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If you earn a middle-class salary, drive a car, get a haircut, buy clothing, sleep in a hotel, smoke cigarettes or drink beer, your taxes would go up under a plan by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. In one of the largest and most wide-ranging tax increase proposals in Connecticut history, taxes on income, alcohol, gasoline and estates would all increase under Malloy's plan, which the governor released to the state legislature recently. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 14, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_021411_1.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy handed the General Assembly a strategy to reduce the state budget deficit by $243 million recently, slicing deeper into programs that serve children and the needy. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 07, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_120712.asp
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Capping months of secretive talks, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state-employee union leaders reached a deal to save $1.6 billion over the next two years in exchange for a promise not to lay off unionized workers for the next four years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 14, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051411.asp
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Time froze for an instant during Gov.-elect Dan Malloy's speech to business executives in Hartford recently as he finished a dramatic setup line that would lead perfectly into a sop to the business community. It would be a grand gesture by a self-described conciliator at the height of his powers, a fairly liberal Democrat at the cavernous monthly gathering of the fairly conservative MetroHartford Alliance, whose leader, Oz Griebel, had run for governor as a Republican. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 15, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_121510.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy reassured dozens of Connecticut's municipal leaders recently that their communities' revenue-sharing funds for the next fiscal year appear safe. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 14, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_121411_1.asp
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Facing strong opposition from Democrats in both houses of the legislature, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy dropped plans to cut $54 million in state aid to cities and towns and instead called for laying off as many as 1,000 additional state employees. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 01, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_070111.asp
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Just days after a key Wall Street rating agency downgraded the state's bonds, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy called upon the state legislature to pour more money into the state pension plan. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 23, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_012312.asp
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Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in his budget speech recently that leaders of state employee unions haven't offered "nearly enough" money-saving ideas � and if they don't come across with savings and concessions adding up to $2 billion for the next two years, the alternative is "to completely shred the safety net and lay off thousands of state workers." Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 16, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021611_3.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said recently that the state budget he unveils in February 2011 will fully fund state pensions and not rely on borrowing money to pay operating expenses � two departures from recent years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 25, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_012511.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has repeatedly called for the shared sacrifice of everyone in the state to help pull Connecticut out of its projected $3.5 billion budget deficit. But in his first full day in office, Malloy said that he hopes that cities and towns can avoid any cuts in education cost-sharing funds from the state. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 07, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_010711.asp
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Early signs show that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is a solid manager, more of a listener than an ideologue, with a balanced, rational philosophy about making up the state's $3.7 billion shortfall. The tax increases announced recently seem to spread the pain around evenly without making Connecticut's precious employers head for the Virginia hills. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 16, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021611.asp
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Municipal leaders' reactions to the governor's proposed budget correspond not only with their political affiliations, but also with the amount of tax-exempt property and the number of retail stores in their communities. In recent interviews, officials in several towns and cities said they were happy that Malloy did not hack into state education aid and other municipal grants, but still worried about losing revenue from payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, programs. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 22, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_022211.asp
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When Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell proposed eliminating the local property tax on automobiles in 2006, then-Stamford Mayor Dannel P. Malloy and other Democrats criticized it as a gimmick. Now, Gov. Malloy has proposed his own plan to partially eliminate the car tax � and he says it is "very different from Jodi Rell's'' proposal. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 17, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021713.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is commendably intent on creating jobs in Connecticut with grants, tax credits and loans. It's confusing, then, that he would have a different approach to a group of employers � hospitals � that provide great-paying jobs. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 18, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_041813.asp
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Taxpayers are angered by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy�s proposed tax increases of $1.5 billion and some are questioning whether he can receive an expected $2 billion in savings over the next two years from the state employee unions. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 15, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021511.asp
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Just a few months ago, Connecticut's Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was being compared unfavorably with fellow Democrat Andrew Cuomo. Mr. Malloy took a different route to balancing a budget that raised taxes. This week, Mr. Cuomo admitted that New York's financial situation is "collapsing," and he spoke of possibly having to raise taxes by $3 billion or more to balance the budget. Meanwhile, in Connecticut, the legislature's nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis has projected a $101.2 million surplus this fiscal year, and much larger surpluses in each of the following four fiscal years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 02, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_120211.asp
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Democrats and Republicans argued recently over whether the legislature is planning to blow through the state's mandated spending cap in order to balance next year's budget. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 28, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052813.asp
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After weeks of negotiations, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced a budget deal recently that raises income, corporation, inheritance, gasoline, alcohol, and cigarette taxes but avoids various sales tax increases that he had proposed two months ago. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 21, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_042111.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy recently proposed sweeping changes in the state's school construction program � reducing reimbursements for magnet schools and new public schools. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 12, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_021211.asp
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Commercial property owners from throughout the city have seen their building values lowered, but, many are not satisfied with the adjustments, including landlords in some of the most recognizable office towers in downtown Hartford. They are appealing the market values assigned by the city in last year's revaluation, hoping to shave their tax bills in times when it remains tough to attract tenants and large blocks of space remain vacant. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 13, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041312.asp
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From legislators to state agencies to cities and towns, officials from around the state are roundly criticizing Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's Plan B budget options that include laying off more than 4,700 state employees. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 10, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051011.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra approved the city council's amendments to his 2012-13 budget, which call for a tax rate increase of 2.5 mills and cuts in spending. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 22, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052212.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra has begun cutting the city's fleet of take-home vehicles, reducing the number of cars from 73 to 45. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 19, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_091913.asp
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In his second "State of the City" speech, Mayor Pedro Segarra said he wanted to address many of Hartford's "truths" -- its accomplishments and its challenges. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 13, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_031312.asp
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In anticipation of a hotly contested battle for virtually every dollar of funding in the state�s upcoming budget, Mayor Pedro Segarra has drawn up a specific set of goals for the city in the current session of the legislature. Segarra announced his priorities recently. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: February 23, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_022312.asp
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Faced with an $8 million revenue shortfall in his proposed 2012-13 budget, Mayor Pedro Segarra has proposed a mitigation plan to close the gap. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 16, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_051612.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra has proposed that the city reduce the cost of building permits to help attract businesses and expand the city's tax base. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 13, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_021312.asp
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Though it has not been a week for good news, there was a flicker of the positive in Hartford. Mayor Pedro Segarra released a $543.9 million budget proposal that would not raise taxes and would retain essential city services. For taxpayers who have seen substantial increases over the past decade, that is good news � even if there's a little wishful thinking thrown in. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 17, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041713.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro E. Segarra issued this statement in response to the Court of Common Council's 9-0 vote to adopt the FY 2011-12 Budget. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 24, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/cityline_052411_1.asp
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The city is facing a $9.4 million shortfall for the current fiscal year and a roughly $70 million deficit for 2013-14, according to early projections released recently. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 21, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_022113.asp
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When the city adopted its 2012-13 budget in May, it set aside roughly $20.6 million for contributions to the municipal employees' retirement fund. The mayor and the city's pension commission subsequently drew up a memorandum of understanding saying the city would pay an additional $11 million into pension fund after city Treasurer Adam Cloud raised concerns about not meeting pension obligations, which require that the city pay $31.6 million. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 08, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_110812.asp
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The mayor has traditionally solicited public opinion about the proposed city budget after it is released. This year, Mayor Pedro Segarra isn't waiting. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 27, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_032711.asp
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The city of Hartford, which had a projected deficit of $12.5 million in its 2010-11 budget as of last July, is now on track to finish the fiscal year in the black and possibly have a surplus to return to its reserve fund, Mayor Pedro Segarra said recently. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 14, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041411_1.asp
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Despite tough fiscal times, Mayor Pedro Segarra managed to come up with a budget proposal that doesn�t raise taxes � but does include some drastic measures. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: April 18, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_041813.asp
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With cities and towns facing cash shortages and potential layoffs in a tough economy, mayors are asking the legislature to install a regional sales tax for the first time in state history. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 16, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031610.asp
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Connecticut's small-town and city mayors agree Gov. Rell's proposal to cap property tax increases at 3 percent is a bad idea. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: April 12, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Government/htfd_advocate_041207.asp
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Specifically referring to the possibility of the federal government cutting the block grant program, Mayor Perez said he expects a $3 million loss in federal revenue to the city, money that has been spent on homeownership programs, development subsidies for new housing, urban revitalization programs, riverfront development, and even public safety. One option is to increase property taxes to make up the difference. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 12, 2005
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021205.asp
Related Link(s):
Budget Carries Bush Stamp
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State Braces For Pain From Bush Plan
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The mayors of two of Connecticut's largest cities - Hartford's Eddie A. Perez and New Haven's John DeStefano - on Monday attacked Gov. M. Jodi Rell's proposed cap on local property taxes, saying it threatens the financial stability of their cities. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 3, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_040307.asp
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The burden of paying for a $1.6 billion Metropolitan District Commission sewer upgrade project could end up flooding local property tax bills, unless legislation that failed to pass in the General Assembly's regular session is revived in a special session. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 8, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Environment/htfd_courant_060807.asp
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The last time the Metropolitan District Commission needed more office space, it built a new headquarters at Main and Wells streets in the late 1970s. Now the company, which provides water and sewer service to eight member cities and towns, is looking to expand again and has offered to buy the office building just to the south for $2.1 million. The three-story building, at 525 Main St., is owned by the city of Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 12, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_091213.asp
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Despite Republican state legislators� claims of an ongoing exodus of the rich, the ranks of Connecticut�s wealthiest households surged dramatically during the five years prior to the recession in 2008. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: August 24, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/hbj_082409.asp
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Worried about shortchanging school budgets, statewide groups representing teachers, superintendents and school boards are calling for a compromise to a measure that would allow school districts with dwindling enrollments to cut school spending by $3,000 a student. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 27, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_052711.asp
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Matthew Davis, has worked as a planner in both the public and private sectors, expresses the opinion that in the debate over smart growth in the past year or two in Connecticut, one assumption has gone unchallenged: that the tax system is a cause of sprawl. This is false. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 17, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/SmartGrowth/htfd_courant_121706_a.asp
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The state income tax is becoming a burden more and more to Connecticut's poorest working families, a report issued recently by a nonpartisan research group says. When Connecticut's state income tax was implemented in 1991, the threshold at which a family of four started paying the tax was 73 percent above the federal poverty line at that time. It was the highest threshold in the nation for a state income tax. Today, that threshold stands just 17 percent above the poverty line, a drop of 56 percentage points. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 31, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_033107.asp
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State Rep. Kelvin Roldan's camp has sent out another release about his plans to introduce new legislation. This time, Roldan said he intends to draft a measure that would prevent significant tax increases on Hartford homeowners. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 22, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_122210.asp
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Mortgage rates are hovering near historic lows, and Connecticut's home sales are making a strong showing this spring as buyers display increasing confidence that the market is on the mend, two recent separate reports showed. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 27, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_052710_1.asp
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A single large number demonstrates that Connecticut hospitals are making self-indulgent spending decisions: $701,956. That's how much Jennifer Jackson, the head of the Connecticut Hospital Association, made in 2009, the most recent year the information is available. But wait, there's more. CHA deploys a small army of lobbyists at the Capitol to make sure the money keeps flowing. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 15, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_051511.asp
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Outspoken Franklin Avenue businessman Paul Mozzicato is running for Hartford city council. When the giant tax bills were delivered for Hartford small businesses recently, bakery owner Mozzicato quickly emerged as the front man for the alliance that sprung up in reaction to the crisis. So it's not too surprising that now Mozzicato is running for city council. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: July 26, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Government/htfd_advocate_072607.asp
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With the end of the General Assembly session approaching, legislators need to do more - quickly - to help financially struggling municipalities, according to members of the Council of Small Towns. Dozens of mayors, first selectmen and town managers gathered at the Capitol recently for a last-chance lobbying drive to win votes for a new hotel occupancy tax, a local sales tax and rollbacks of burdensome state mandates. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 29, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_042910.asp
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Property taxes are likely to rise for huge numbers of Connecticut residents during the summer of 2009, and city and town leaders warn of worse news ahead if state lawmakers tear even deeper into municipal aid. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 09, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_040909_1.asp
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After concurring that the state's priority is to close its projected budget gap of nearly $550 million, a panel of town and city leaders recently immediately disagreed about whether the best strategy to accomplish that is through spending cuts, mandate relief or new taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 04, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_120409.asp
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Big-city mayors and small-town first selectmen who frequently fight among themselves joined in an emphatic message recently to Gov. M. Jodi Rell: It's time to stop cutting municipal aid. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 10, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_121009.asp
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Property owners throughout the state can expect tax increases this year as cash-strapped towns and cities run out of one-time solutions to their fiscal problems, municipal leaders told a state legislative committee recently. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 03, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030310.asp
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With municipal budgets reeling, cities and towns are hoping for better-than-usual progress this year on waiving some costly state mandates. The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities took its case to a key legislative committee recently, asking it to suspend many state-set rules and block new ones. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 21, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_032111.asp
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New England Music at 470 Prospect Ave. is one of thousands of small businesses that call Hartford home. But in October, New England Music plans to move to West Hartford. The three-story, yellow brick building on Prospect Avenue has housed an independent music store for more than 20 years, although its owners and name have changed. One reason for the move: A new landlord has raised the store's rent twice in 18 months, said David Henry, the owner of New England Music. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 26, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_092607.asp
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Democrats on the Hartford City Council are working on next year's city's budget. The city's budget isn't yet final, but according to the latest proposals, what you think of it will depend on what kind of property you own. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 18, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_051812.asp
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Although he's been in office for only a couple of months, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra seems to understand the city's dire fiscal outlook. He has eliminated two positions, had one department head double up, merged some offices and employed other cost-cutting measures. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 23, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_092310.asp
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About 13 percent of Connecticut households worked either so little, or at such low-wage work in 2011 that they were eligible for the new state Earned Income Tax Credit. The average filer's income was $17,957, according to an analysis released recently by the fiscal policy center at Connecticut Voices for Children, an anti-poverty nonprofit. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 10, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_011013.asp
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The state's new income tax credit for working poor families helped nearly 182,000 households last year. But with the state's continuing struggle with red ink, some advocates fear the Earned-Income Tax Credit (EITC) could become a target for cuts this spring. Published by CT Mirror
; Publication Date: January 11, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/ct_mirror_011113.asp
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In this opinion piece, Dan Haar comments that Democratic lawmakers and the Republican governor recently celebrated another state budget pasted together with IOUs and chewing gum, postponing doomsday. They blew a chance to do something responsible. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 06, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050610_1.asp
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The author of this opinion piece suggests that political observers will undoubtedly compare this year to 1991, when it took seven months and the obstinacy of a third-party governor to close a budget deficit of unprecedented proportions. What lies ahead, however, may well be worse. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 11, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_011109.asp
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The two authors of this opinion piece suggest that Connecticut faces two crises. The immediate crisis is the staggering deficits the new state budget must address; the underlying crisis is the undeniable long-term decline in Connecticut's economic performance. How the governor and the General Assembly address the immediate crisis will profoundly affect our success in addressing the more important question of Connecticut's economic future. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 12, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_071209.asp
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Last minute negotiations to spare Hartford's small business owners from a crippling tax increase broke down recently, leaving owners to face tax bills on July 1 that in some cases have doubled. The talks between the Hartford Small Business Alliance and the MetroHartford Alliance, representing big business, had gone on for weeks in an attempt to reconcile two competing bail-out plans and present a united front to the legislature. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: June 28, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/EconomicDevelopment/htfd_advocate_062807.asp
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If you closed all the prisons and all facilities for abused and delinquent kids, you�d slash spending by $1.5 billion. And that wouldn�t solve even half of the Connecticut budget crisis. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: November 02, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_110210.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant comments that the recent short legislative session has been a big letdown because of a failure of leadership. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 06, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050610_2.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses support for a recent appeal from 15 moderate Democratic lawmakers urging the General Assembly to take quick action together with Gov. M. Jodi Rell to eliminate this year's projected budget deficit of $518 million without borrowing was welcome on two counts. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 17, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031710.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that a collective sigh of relief comes from Connecticut's Democratic legislators and a host of unionized state workers happy that their party's two-decades-long absence from the governor's office seems � after a wild three days of ballot-counting in Bridgeport � to have come to an end with the election of Dan Malloy. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 06, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_110610.asp
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While states across America and many Connecticut municipalities have responded to the economic recession by making significant long-term structural changes to their employee retirement and benefit plans, Connecticut has missed a significant opportunity. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 22, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_052211_2.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that small and entrepreneurial firms are a vital part of Connecticut's economy. Yet the state has a poor record of supporting them and needs to be careful not to form budget policies that would hinder them in the coming years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 27, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_022711_1.asp
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The recent Occupy Hartford march snaked through Downtown during evening rush hour. The few hundred protestors walked from along Bushnell Park to Gold Street, Main Street, and then Asylum Street; they ended in �Turning Point Park,� the former location of Hartford High School, on the corner of Asylum and Broad Street. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: October 07, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/realhtfd_100711.asp
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Occupy Hartford protesters recently gathered outside Bushnell Park to march for economic justice. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 07, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_100711.asp
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Hoping to mobilize support in colleges and universities, the Occupy Hartford protesters have organized a student "walkout" and rally at the Capitol. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 25, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_102511.asp
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A woman requesting to remain anonymous donated $100 worth of gift cards from a local deli to Occupy Hartford.. And small group of women came to the park recently to donate soup and a blanket. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: October 10, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/realhtfd_101011.asp
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On the first night that activists slept in the park on the corner of Broad and Farmington/Asylum, someone in the apartment building across the street shot BBs at protestors. Originally told they could not erect structures in the park, Occupiers set up tents. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: October 09, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/realhtfd_100911_1.asp
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Mayor Segarra has issued a press release on the march that Occupy Hartford has planned. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: November 04, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/realhtfd_110411.asp
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Some activists used November 5th as an opportunity to loudly and visibly protest Bank of America, but those behind Bank Transfer Day want less talk, more action Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: November 03, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/realhtfd_110311.asp
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The Hartford City Council recently voted to support the exercise of democracy by Occupy Hartford. It seems that the ultimate goal of Occupy Hartford is not to bring attention to economic injustice, but to erect a tent city on an otherwise vacant piece of land. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: October 12, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/realhtfd_101211.asp
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More than an hour into the recent evening General Assembly meeting, a longtime activist told the group, �I don�t understand why we�re here. I know why I�m here.� This summed up the sprawling discussion among 30-35 Occupy Hartford activists. A proposal was made to march against Bank of America, go out with a �bang,� and end the camping segment of the movement. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: October 12, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/realhtfd_101211_1.asp
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Three police on horseback kept themselves at a respectful distance from activists near the Bank of America on Park Street. The Occupy Hartford march had been billed as a family-friendly, law-abiding event, yet a speaker from Occupy New Haven threw around phrases that could be interpreted otherwise, at one point telling the throng to �seize the banks,� while the crowd stood opposite one. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: November 06, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/realhtfd_110611.asp
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The tents are still up at Turning Point Park, but Occupy Hartford has shown few signs of life in recent weeks. After a strong showing at their kickoff march in early October, active participation has waned. There has been high turnover of activists, both those living in the tents, and those dropping by or showing support from afar. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: December 06, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/realhtfd_120611.asp
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Occupy Hartford calls itself a leaderless movement, as a recent protest demonstrates. Protestors began walking toward Bank of America only a few minutes after the planned start time. The group�s energy level drooped temporarily, but regained a sense of optimism when encouraged by honking horns. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: October 15, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/realhtfd_101511_1.asp
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A recent meeting of Occupy Hartford involved 40 people, most of whom had not been involved before. Among those speaking out: a man wearing a �Don�t Tread on Me� hat, another in a button-down, collared shirt, and a local postal worker, who informed activists that those he delivers mail to, in one of Hartford�s poorest neighborhoods, �don�t know you�re here.� Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: October 18, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/realhtfd_101811.asp
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About 40 people, many holding signs and chanting, marched from Bushnell Park to the Bank of America branch on Main Street Friday as part of the "Occupy Hartford" movement. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 15, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_101511.asp
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As dozens of Occupy Hartford demonstrators converged on the grassy area near Farmington Avenue and Broad Street recently, one man said was preparing to fight against the world with which he had once been so familiar. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 06, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_110611.asp
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A mega tax increase for Hartford's small businesses will go ahead, as the Connecticut legislature stalled. The regular session of the legislature came and went without a bill to help Hartford�s tax-beleaguered small businesses. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: June 21, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_advocate_062107.asp
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The charter revision process invites new ideas, but new ideas aren't always good ideas. Take for example the audacious and spectacularly tone-deaf idea put forth by Hartford councilwoman Cynthia R. Jennings to the city's charter revision commission. She has proposed that council members become full-time and be paid $90,000 a year, plus $15,000 for expenses. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 30, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_013013.asp
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The city has reached a tentative agreement with its 47 professional and technical unionized workers, but is still in talks with at least for other unions, a union spokesman said recently. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 16, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_061609.asp
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Throughout much of this year's budget debate, a lot of myths and misconceptions were bandied about as facts. On the theory that good information begets a good outcome, this article examines some of those myths. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 15, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051511.asp
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Overstock.com said it is exiting the Connecticut market for online advertising, in retaliation for the state's plan to begin charging sales tax on purchases from Internet retailers on July 1. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 25, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052511.asp
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Overstock.com said it is exiting the Connecticut market for online advertising, in retaliation for the state's plan to begin charging sales tax on purchases from Internet retailers on July 1. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 25, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052511_1.asp
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A key legislative committee rejected Gov. M. Jodi Rell's tax package recently, opting instead for a plan that centers on increasing the property tax credit to $500 and making it more available to both the poor and the upper-middle class. The Democrat-controlled finance committee scrapped Rell's proposals to eliminate the property tax on cars and the estate tax, along with her plan to accelerate the phase-out of the 15 percent surcharge on corporate income taxes - a key priority for business. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 4, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_040406.asp
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In this opinion piece, the Hartford Courant suggests that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's car-tax proposal should go back to the drawing board. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 22, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032213_1.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Business Journal expresses the opinion that in proposing to sell its parking assets, Hartford is following in the footsteps of other troubled governments in mortgaging its future for one-time cash now. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: March 15, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/hbj_031510_1.asp
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No one should fault retired Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts for getting a cushy pension. He was a top executive with hundreds of people under his command. He worked for decades under contracts with the city and fulfilled his part of them. But his case presents yet another argument for restructuring public sector pensions. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 05, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030512.asp
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Mayor Perez outlines his 2005-06 budget, including a property tax increase and health care benefit reductions for the School District and Library. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 19, 2005
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Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_041905.asp
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Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez has vetoed several of the city council's recent amendments to his proposed $547.6 million budget, he said in a press release. And, in a letter to the City Council, he says he is anticipating $3.2 million -- roughly 1 mill -- in concessions from the city's unions. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 22, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_052209.asp
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Almost two years after the General Assembly passed a temporary tax-relief plan to allow municipalities to delay property tax revaluations, cities and towns across the state are still trying to find a way to ease the residential taxpayer's pain. Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez is proposing tying property taxes to a homeowner's income. Those who own and live in one-, two- and three-family properties would pay no more than 4 percent of their income on that property. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 16, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_031606.asp
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The city's efforts to solve its property-tax woes have provoked a showdown between the mayor and the newly elected city council. The council approved some of Mayor Eddie A. Perez's recommendations for property tax reform. But council members said they wanted to gather more information before voting on a key administration-backed proposal to lift the 3.5 percent cap on some non-owner occupied residential properties. Council members said they were concerned that lifting the cap would raise rents for poorer residents; Perez thinks that unlikely.
Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 21, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_022108.asp
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In a bid to borrow time against a looming tax crisis in the city, Hartford officials were quietly working on cutting a deal with legislative leaders to blunt, once again, the dreaded effects of property tax revaluation. But instead of sealing a deal behind closed doors and declaring city homeowners safe, Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez dropped a public bombshell recently - a threat to close schools and lay off cops and teachers if the General Assembly didn't act. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 28, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_042806.asp
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State Representative Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey comments that Hartford residents are facing an unprecedented increase in property taxes this year. Mayor Eddie Perez has proposed raising the tax rate by 8.89 mills, or 13 percent for the average Hartford homeowner. He has raised the tax rate for five consecutive years. The mayor recently said, "They [the state] are increasing the tax bill of every small business and homeowner in the city." That is simply untrue. Blaming Hartford's troubles on state government is irresponsible and wrong. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 17, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051709.asp
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In a press release, Mayor Eddie A. Perez urged the city council to act on a proposed $535 million budget. Not doing so, he said, would have "catastrophic" results. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 30, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_053009_1.asp
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As a coalition of city unions presented a plan to Mayor Eddie A. Perez to save millions of dollars, Perez said in a press release that the city's fire union had agreed to concessions of its own. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 04, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_060409_1.asp
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There was a time when "regionalism" was a four-letter word in Connecticut, the home of home rule and long-standing local traditions. As costs have risen and revenues have shrunk, municipal leaders have gotten more open to seeking economies with surrounding communities. But � one of Connecticut's great unanswered questions � does regional sharing of services actually save money and maintain quality? The answer is that for some services, yes; for others, no. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 19, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021913.asp
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David Medina expresses the opinion that it's immensely safer and less thought-provoking for legislators to simply let towns continue to relieve the agony of property taxes by expanding their grand lists with big-box stores and luxury subdivisions than to institute property tax reform. As long as people will pay whatever it takes to live in the splendor of suburban homogeneity, property tax reform is just a gimmick to raise voter anxiety and put state lawmakers on the spot. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 28, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/TAXES/htfd_courant_032806.asp
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Faced with a budget deficit, the Hartford Police Department is asking some downtown bars and restaurants to help pay the overtime costs for police officers assigned to maintain order in the city's entertainment district during the busiest nights of the week, when large crowds of partygoers pose the most risk for public safety threats. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: December 17, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/hbj_121712.asp
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The Hartford Police Union has reached a tentative agreement with the city on a new labor contract, Mayor Pedro Segarra said recently. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 06, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_040612.asp
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Many voters seem to believe that some tax increases are fine � as long as someone else is paying. That's one finding from the latest Quinnipiac University Poll, released as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is asking Connecticut residents to pay $1.5 billion in tax increases in the coming fiscal year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 10, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031011.asp
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Jim Horan, executive director of the Connecticut Association for Human Services, suggests two things that the state could do now that would encourage people to work and boost employment in low-income neighborhoods. First, Connecticut could follow the lead of the federal government and create a state Earned Income Tax Credit. A second idea to encourage work is to restore funding for the state's child care subsidy program. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 17, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_011706.asp
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Recently, Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez unveiled what he called his "toughest budget ever," a $547.6 million plan that keeps overall spending flat and raises the tax rate by 8.89 mills, or 13 percent. That translates into a 13 percent increase for the average city homeowner. But it means higher taxes for many others. Restaurants, general retail, carwashes, parking garages, service stations, supermarkets, health spas, fast food joints, auto dealers, medical offices � all of them face, on average, a higher percentage increase in the taxes on their properties than those faced by homeowners, according to data provided by the city. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 26, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_042609.asp
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The tumult at the Community Renewal Team (CRT) may offer an opportunity. What if the governor were to appoint a group to take a big-picture look at the whole 1960s-vintage community action agency model, and ask if it is the best way to renew communities? A successful anti-poverty agency would put itself out of business. CRT boasts of its growth. It's been about the only growth industry in North Hartford for 40 years, and something seems wrong with that. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 13, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_021312.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant suggests that, in the absence of true property tax reform, the General Assembly should extend the Connecticut real estate conveyance tax increase indefinitely. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 03, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030308.asp
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Tension is mounting at the state Capitol this week as legislators battle over Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's proposal for a budget that would take effect as he is running in his 2014 re-election campaign. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 15, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_051513.asp
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Tom Condon writes that at a recent conference on housing, two legislators reminded the crowd that the state has no money. This caused Hartford city councilman Larry Deutsch to stand and say that there needs to be money for the cities. He is right to be concerned. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 07, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_020710_1.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that it is the immoral nature of the property tax system that not only allows for, but encourages and protects, educational inequalities in Connecticut. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 03, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_050311.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that a property tax cap, as proposed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, would impact low-income small towns, and exacerbate inequalities in municipal services. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 06, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020608.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Business Journal expresses the opinion that running a major American city is no picnic. Hartford�s Pedro Segarra has taken over a decaying city battling an exodus of jobs and residents, awful schools, eroding state aid, a commercial property vacancy rate around 30 percent and a budget outlook that�s bleak at best. Among the unsolvable problem he has inherited is a tax system that�s been broken for decades. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: May 09, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/hbj_050911_1.asp
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Residential properties not occupied by the owners should be taxed at higher rates than owner-occupied dwellings, according to a recommendation by Hartford's Property Tax Task Force. Under a 2006 revaluation, tax increases on properties not occupied by owners � whether multifamily homes, apartments or condos � are capped at 3.5 percent. But the task force's plan would eliminate that cap and generate an additional $23 million in tax revenue by 2010. In turn, the city's commercial property tax owners would see a significant drop in their tax burden. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 22, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_122207_1.asp
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Possibly surprising to some, the Sierra Club has now taken on tax reform. It is at heart a critical environmental issue, one of the most important on Sierra's agenda. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 22, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Environment/htfd_courant_042207.asp
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Members of the capital area community gathered at the Hartford Public Library recently to discuss inadequate school funding. The discussion focused on the need for greater funding to make urban school systems more successful. Panelists and community members expressed concerns that too much of a burden is being placed on the local government to raise this revenue from property taxes. Under this system, they said, the burden of school funding falls most heavily on some of the poorer residents of Connecticut�s cities. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: July 6, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_news_070606.asp
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For years, Hartford�s business community has complained that it�s paying a disproportionate share of property taxes and that the inequity is one of the factors sapping the business vitality from the Capital City. Now the debate over who should be paying the bulk of the city�s bills � residents or business is heating up. A push to maintain caps on property tax increases for homeowners and continue to allow residential property to be assessed at a lower rate than commercial buildings is stirring concerns from businessmen. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: May 09, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/hbj_050911.asp
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Downtown Hartford's high vacancy rates have wreaked havoc on the property values of nearly all Class A office towers in the central business district, some of which have lost up to 70 percent of their value over the past five years, a Hartford Business Journal examination of city records has found. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: March 26, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/hbj_032612.asp
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In April, when the city's internal audit commission reported that at least five Hartford retirees had been back on the payroll for longer than six months -- in violation of a city ordinance -- concerns about double-dipping began to surface. Now, Councilman Kenneth Kennedy has created a plan that would eliminate the practice -- by cutting retirees' annual salaries by the amount of their pensions. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 07, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_080713.asp
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In Colonial Connecticut, farmers saved seeds each growing season to plant the following year. But if the winter was harsh and food stocks thin, they might be tempted to eat the seed corn necessary for their future survival. If they had taken such shortsighted actions, they would likely have not survived. State budget line-item cuts are like that today. "Eating our seed corn" by making imprudent reductions in critical fields will stifle our ability to compete economically. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 01, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_120109.asp
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More than 100 people chanting and carrying signs marched through downtown Hartford yesterday, calling for jobs, public safety and infrastructure investment, and an end to corporate greed. The march was part of a national protest to declare an economic emergency. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: November 17, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/jcohen_111711.asp
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As soon as manicures, pedicures, waxing and facials began to be taxed at 6.35 percent in July, owners and managers of nail salons started to see fewer customer visits, and lower tipping. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 26, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032612.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that the Hartford city council took the wise path when it recently decided not to pursue a monetization of the city's more than 6,000 metered and off-street parking places. City officials had for months considered leasing the spaces to a private operator for up to 50 years in return for a hefty upfront payment. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 14, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_041411.asp
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Mayor Eddie Perez has recommended a budget of $491,478,000 for the City of Hartford for the upcoming fiscal year. Perez said the budget puts more financial resources behind his two top priorities for the city: Public Safety and Education. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: April 26 - May 3, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Government/htfd_news_042606.asp
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Public space offers the kinds of social interactions that can enrich the lives of the city's residents. They are possible because the investment in public space and public goods were made years ago. For that space to endure, we must continue to invest in them. Many people take something as basic as sidewalks for granted. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 13, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_071312.asp
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A dozen people, including some with SEIU, CCAG, and the machinists� union, were peacefully arrested recently after blocking the Broad Street on-ramp to I-84 East as part of an Occupy Hartford protest. Although there were over 200 activists participating in the legal aspects of the action � rallying, picketing, and marching � a dozen, who had been prepared for civil disobedience, took part in blocking the entrance ramp. Before the event got underway, those planning to be arrested gathered in a small circle in front of Aetna on Farmington Avenue. Published by Real Hartford
; Publication Date: November 17, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/realhtfd_111711.asp
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Helen Ubi�as writes about the new $535 million Hartford city budget. She sees city officials trying to rationalize a budget that increases the tax rate by 6.5 percent, while there are lots of people feeling trapped in a city that continues to offer less while asking for more. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 04, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_060409.asp
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The state legislature is expected to pass an extension of the state's real estate transfer tax that generates as much as $25 million per year for cities and towns. Without an extension, the portion of the conveyance tax payable to cities and towns would expire as of July 1st. The issue has prompted a long-running battle between real estate agents and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, which represents most cities and towns. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 20, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_062010.asp
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Putting red light cameras at intersections is big business. And it's a business that could be coming to Connecticut soon, if the governor has his way. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: February 13, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/transportation/hbj_021312.asp
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When the General Assembly convened Jan. 3, Mayor Eddie Perez asked legislators to take a bold step forward and adopt a property tax reform plan that provides property tax relief for all Connecticut families. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 21, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_122106.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that in a state such as Connecticut that is heavily reliant on property taxes to fund local government, revenue-sharing may help create more cohesive metropolitan regions. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 30, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/smartgrowth/htfd_courant_123009.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that for as long as most of us can remember, "regionalism" was treated as a four-letter word in the Land of Steady Habits. Towns went it alone, more or less. But with the state and most municipalities in dire fiscal straits, there is a growing sense that regional cooperation can save money without damaging cherished community ties. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 05, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050510_1.asp
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Hartford has three registrars, while every other municipality in the state has two. Hartford doesn't need, and cannot afford, three registrars of voters. Change, finally, is afoot. The city's charter revision commission advocates switching to a sole nonpartisan professional appointed by the city council. The council recently adopted the proposal. Two more things must happen. The change must be approved by voters in November, and the General Assembly must make a small change in state law. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 28, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/democracy/htfd_courant_072813.asp
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Governor M. Jodi Rell discusses her tax cap proposal. It would cap the amount that towns can raise their property taxes at 3 percent a year, permit growth above the cap indexed to above-average growth in a town's grand list, make exceptions to the cap for emergencies such as natural disasters or fires and allow voters in each town to override the cap. It lets the decision be made by the people who actually pay the taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 6, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/EducationFunding/htfd_courant_050607.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that state workers are close to making a tragic mistake by rejecting the proposed concession agreement our union leaders negotiated. This would inflict significant damage on taxpayers, state workers and Connecticut's economic future. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 24, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_062411.asp
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By executive order, Gov. M. Jodi Rell created a new state office to help control "rampant, ill-conceived" development that she says is threatening the character of Connecticut communities. Rell unveiled the Office of Responsible Growth that will coordinate numerous state agencies that oversee land use and will attempt to stop the spread of what is commonly known as "sprawl." The new office will operate within Rell's budget department, and she hopes it can be handled by the existing staff. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 7, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/SmartGrowth/htfd_courant_100706.asp
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Recognizing Democratic opposition to her car-tax elimination proposal, Gov. M. Jodi Rell offered a compromise plan recently that would allow senior citizens to keep their $400 property tax credit and pay no taxes on their cars. Rell's new plan, offered in the days before two legislative committees will begin voting on her budget and tax proposals, extends an olive branch in an election year to one of the most politically potent voting blocs: senior citizens. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 29, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_032906.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that Gov. M. Jodi Rell has backed away from an unpopular plan to sell some future revenues at a discount to cover a $1.3 billion budget shortfall in the next fiscal year. Her change of heart is wise. It's bad policy to use tomorrow's income to pay today's bills. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 02, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_050210.asp
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Rick Green writes that here is a governor with 25 years of Capitol experience, arguably the most popular elected leader in Connecticut and a woman who has nothing to lose because she isn't running for re-election. What an opportunity. Instead Gov. M. Jodi Rell gave us a state budget that just kicks the can down the road. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 04, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_020410.asp
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It all sounded so good on Feb. 7, 2007. But then state lawmakers and town officials started to read the fine print in Gov. M. Jodi Rell's landmark education proposal and discovered what she failed to mention in her annual budget speech. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 25, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_032507.asp
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In a stunning turnaround, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said recently that state tax revenue is so robust that the legislature can pass a budget this year with little or no tax increase. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 10, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/EducationFunding/htfd_courant_051007.asp
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Gov. Jodi Rell unilaterally cut $160 million from the state budget in June 2008, slashing millions from jail diversion programs, AIDS services and grants for the homeless. With major problems in Connecticut�s cities, state aid is drying up. Under Rell's administration, non-school construction-related bond funding for Connecticut's five biggest cities�Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Stamford and Waterbury�has dropped dramatically, both in real dollars and as a share of the annual largesse. More money flows to municipalities each year, but the largest cities see less and less of it. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: July 10, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_071008.asp
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Reviving an idea that was rejected by Democrats more than six months ago, Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell said recently that she will reintroduce her plan to cap property taxes in cities and towns. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 20, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_122007.asp
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In a historic move that caught legislators off guard, Gov. M. Jodi Rell recently proposed that local property tax increases be capped at 3 percent annually - except in extraordinary circumstances. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 29, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_032907.asp
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Rick Green expresses the opinion that the state leaders should take Governor M. Jodi Rell�s proposed property tax cap as a starting point for discussing real reform, instead of obfuscating for another year. He supports the proposed 3 percent tax cap plan because he believes that property taxes are the wrong way to fund the biggest local expense � Connecticut schools. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 08, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020808.asp
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Expanding state loan guarantees, lending directly to small businesses and offering tax credits to more companies for hiring workers are the heart of Gov. M. Jodi Rell's vision for economic development � three strategies used by the state for years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 04, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020410_1.asp
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In a dramatic change that broke a political logjam, Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell offered a new budget plan that would raise the tax on millionaires, eliminate the inheritance tax and cut the sales tax from 6 percent to 5.5 percent. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 27, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_082709.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses opposition to Gov. M. Jodi Rell's plan to eliminate the projected $504 million deficit in the state budget for this fiscal year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 07, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030710_1.asp
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Gov. M. Jodi Rell called Wednesday for education spending that would break the state-mandated spending cap and lead to a 10 percent increase in the state income tax. In doing so, she co-opted traditional Democratic issues such as education, but also increased her leverage in dealing with a potentially hostile legislature that has veto-proof majorities in both chambers. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 8, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_020807.asp
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Governor M. Jodi Rell explains the reasons behind her proposed tax hike. She states that the only long-term solution to reducing crime, reducing violence in our cities, reducing the dropout rate and improving education is increased education funding. If Connecticut invests in our children from the ground up, it will be a great place to learn, and a great economy is likely to follow. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 25, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Government/htfd_courant_022507.asp
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Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Democratic leaders have reached a deal on a $19 billion budget that does not raise any additional taxes during an election year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 05, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050510.asp
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Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who is not seeking re-election, spent much of her final State of the State speech urging legislators to choose civility over the partisanship that marred last year's lengthy budget battle. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 04, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020410.asp
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In a surprising turnaround from her previous stance of avoiding any tax increases, Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell proposed $391 million in tax hikes recently on cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, alcohol and businesses. The largest single hike would be in the state's cigarette tax, which would jump sharply to $3 a pack from the current level of $2 a pack. The proposed increase would take effect on Oct. 1 and would generate more than half of the money to be raised by the new tax hikes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 31, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_073109.asp
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The state will save more than $120 million in borrowing costs thanks to the recently announced surplus from the budget year that ended June 30, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Friday. The surplus will be used to ease the budget crunch in fiscal 2011, which started July 1. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 04, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_090410.asp
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Americans paid a smaller percentage of their income in taxes in 2009 than in any year since 1950, according to data collected by the U.S. Commerce Department � even as the volume of anti-tax voices grows louder. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 13, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051310.asp
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Connecticut teacher salaries are reasonable even though they're among the highest in the nation, and the combined size of state and local government is too small in this state. Those were two of the conclusions published in a quarterly journal by researchers from the University of Connecticut, who picked hot-button topics to coincide with the state's budget debate. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 15, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_031511.asp
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The city's internal audit commission, after reviewing more than 400 purchases made with city-issued credit cards, recommended better oversight and enforcement of spending policies, and urged a ban on use of the cards for business-related entertainment. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 03, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_050313.asp
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Connecticut's wealthiest families pay less than 5 percent of their income toward state and local taxes, while the state's poor and middle-income families pay as much as 10.9 percent, according to a report issued recently by Connecticut Voices for Children. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 15, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041508.asp
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City Republicans want the state to take over the city's finances, because local elected officials don't have the political will "to do what needs to be done" Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 23, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_042309.asp
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Frustrated Democrats have been asking the same question for months: When are the rich going to pay their fair share? But Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-Greenwich, says the rich are already paying their fair share. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 27, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_072709.asp
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The Hartford city budget billed as a compromise plan, passed by a 5-4 vote and includes a 4.44-mill increase in the tax rate, to 72.79 mills, a tax increase of 6.5 percent. City residents expressed their displeasure in the city council chambers, angry about the increase, which will mean an additional $188 for the average taxpayer with a home assessed at $172,000. The news for businesses was worse, with taxes going up 7 percent for the average high-rise office building, 12 percent for the average restaurant and 17 percent for the average mixed-use business. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 02, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_060209_1.asp
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This is Council President Shawn T. Wooden�s response to an open letter from Mike McGarry that appeared recently in The Hartford News. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: March 21, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_032113.asp
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A bill which recently passed the Connecticut House limits assessment increases for many Hartford residents to 3 1/2 percent in the first year (the tax bill residents would receive in July 2012). Beyond that, assessment increases would be tied to how much the city collects in taxes. If this bill does not pass the state Senate, many homeowners would fact tax increases of 100 percent or more because of the recent property revaluation. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 03, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/cityline_060311.asp
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The city ran numbers to figure out whether it makes sense to delay the phase-in of this year's property revaluation. And it apparently doesn't. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 11, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_061109.asp
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A review of the city finance department's revenue management unit found that policies and procedures need improvement, from discrepancies in the amount of revenue budgeted and received to record-keeping for various operations. The city's Internal Audit Commission reviewed cash receipts, daily deposits, management practices and other issues. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 02, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_070213.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that in Connecticut, the rich pay less of a share of their income than do the poor in taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 07, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030710.asp
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An analysis of Connecticut's regressive system by the national Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy finds that the wealthiest 1 percent of taxpayers pay about half the share of their income in state and local taxes (5.5 percent) that middle-income (10.5 percent) and lower-income residents (11 percent) do. Although Connecticut's income taxes are somewhat progressive, our regressive sales and property taxes hit the middle class and poor harder than the wealthy. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 19, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041913_1.asp
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Colin McEnroe comments on the current acting City of Hartford COO Saundra Kee Borges and the controversy surrounding Mayor Pedro Segarra�s New Year's Eve party at a downtown restaurant when seven hundred dollars' worth of oysters, caviar and rack of lamb wound up on a city credit card. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 17, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_051713.asp
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The state is scheduled to roll back local conveyance tax rates on July 1, a prospect that has municipal leaders anxiously lobbying the General Assembly for help. On the opposite side of the debate are the lobbyists for real estate dealers, mortgage brokers and home builders, who insist that the rollback is overdue. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 21, 2005
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_022105.asp
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The current financial crisis is catching up with the state's public schools. Gov. M. Jodi Rell is requiring state agencies to shave at least 10 percent from their budgets. This means that the proposed state budget will slash more than $200 million in aid to local school districts. Communities rely on these funds to keep local taxes in check and to pay for the basic necessities of public education. In this opinion piece, the authors suggest that to avoid this crisis, the burden must be shared. State government and municipalities must take bold steps, and they propose five possible solutions. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 11, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_011109_1.asp
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The city of Hartford was close to selling millions of dollars in tax liens to the third-highest bidder before the high bidder cried foul, suggested undue influence, and caused the city to reopen the process. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 13, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Government/htfd_courant_061307.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that with cities and towns facing budgetary nightmares, mayors have asked the legislature to create a first-ever regional sales tax. The idea at this point is to raise the 6 percent sales tax to 7 percent and give the added 1 percent to regional organizations that would distribute the money to area towns. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 21, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_032110.asp
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Rick Green writes about an interesting question: Are we safer because of harsher state drug laws -- such as strict penalties for drug arrests near schools -- or are we just corralling more people and filling up prison cells with inmates who ought not to be living at taxpayers' expense? Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 18, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/prisonerre-entry/htfd_courant_111810.asp
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House GOP leader Robert Ward says it's time to scrap the existing educational funding formula and write a new and fair formula for distributing Connecticut's wealth. The formula includes more than 20 different factors, including the number of students on welfare and in special education, mastery test scores, per capita income, and the three-year average of the town's "net equalized grand list,'' among others. The discussion has pitted wealthy towns against disadvantaged cities. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 5, 2005
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Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_030505.asp
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The Democratic-controlled education committee rewrote part of Gov. M. Jodi Rell's education plan recently, approving a complicated proposal that provides both additional education money and the option for property tax relief on a sliding scale for all 169 towns in Connecticut. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 27, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_032707.asp
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School leaders from throughout the state warned Thursday that local schools face an impending crisis this summer when federal stimulus money that has buoyed education spending disappears. The officials, meeting at the state Legislative Office Building, urged lawmakers to take action during the upcoming session to protect education funding, which could suffer a $270 million shortfall for each of the next two years when stimulus money vanishes July 1, 2011. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 07, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_010711.asp
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Recently, a state commission on education finance made a bold recommendation: boost the state's major school-aid grant 75 percent by pumping an extra $1.2 billion a year into the public schools. The hefty price tag will be a daunting political challenge to Gov. M. Jodi Rell and state lawmakers as they consider how to revise a 17-year-old school finance formula that critics say is underfunded and unfair. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 21, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_122106.asp
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A new coalition made up of municipal officials and educators from 22 towns, Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, calls for a radical revision of Connecticut's school funding formula. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 1, 2004
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Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_120104.asp
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The leaders of union local 1716 of AFSCME Council 4, which represents roughly 310 municipal workers, have reached a tentative contract with the city - the second union to do so since the city approved a budget with $3.2 million in cuts to salaries and benefits. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 18, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/cityline_061809.asp
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With a looming deficit now projected to be about $56.2 million for 2012-13, Mayor Pedro Segarra's administration is asking that all city department heads prepare budgets that are no higher than last year's. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 22, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_022212.asp
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The city of Hartford is facing a roughly 10 percent budget shortfall next year -- more than $50 million. But, Mayor Pedro Segarra is also giving out raises. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: March 30, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_033012.asp
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In Hartford, Mayor Pedro Segarra ordered an end to the Occupy Hartford encampment just off I-84. Segarra says that reports of violence and drug abuse made the site a threat to public safety. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: December 06, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/jcohen_120611.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra gave his annual state of the city address and reported that the biggest issue facing the city of Hartford isn't the state of the city, but the state of its budget. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: March 12, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_031212.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra met recently with city unions to ask them to do their part to close next year's ten percent budget hole. This comes at the same time as he's giving raises to his staff. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: April 05, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_040512.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra presented his first city budget recently, a $547.7 million plan that raises spending but doesn't require an increase in the tax rate. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 19, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041911.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra has a plan to close a multi-million hole in next year's city budget. The mayor is hoping to cut some programs, make more money, and raise the city's tax rate. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 15, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/jcohen_051512.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra is proposing changes to the pension and benefits system designed to save the city money. City leaders have said pension contributions and the cost of benefits are among the city's biggest expenses. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 07, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_060713.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra has proposed a budget that doesn't raise the tax rate -- but most homeowners will still see an increase in their tax bills. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: April 18, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_041811.asp
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He drives his city-issued car himself, pumps his own gas at the public works yard, and has yet to use his city-issued credit card or traveled at taxpayer's expense. That's the kind of tone that Mayor Pedro Segarra is trying to set at city hall. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 16, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_091610.asp
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Government budgets across the country are feeling the crunch. That�s true for the city of Hartford, too. Recently, when Mayor Pedro Segarra presented his budget that closed a roughly $50 million deficit, he included $1 million in new revenue from what he calls a voluntary PILOT program. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: October 10, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/jcohen_101012.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra recently vetoed a proposal by the city council that would freeze all hiring or overtime spending not already budgeted, unless approved by the council. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 02, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_040213.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra wants mattress makers to play a bigger role in what happens when those mattresses are thrown out. But, legislation to that end failed in the Connecticut General Assembly. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: June 06, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_060612.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra and State Rep. Matt Ritter both say that the MetroHartford Alliance, and it�s leader Oz Griebel is responsible for the failure of proposed legislative bills that could have generated $8 million in revenue for the city. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 10, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_051012.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra says that the city will likely end the year with money to spare. And in a week where the mayor has faced some of his toughest questioning, Segarra was happy to report good news. Segarra has faced concerns about his ethics disclosures raised by paid consultants to his political opponent -- all of whom were advisors to convicted former Mayor Eddie Perez. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: April 13, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_041311.asp
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Mayor Pedro Segarra�s proposed budget trimmed his office with some real savings, but some of the savings he claims come because he farmed out some functions to other places in the city budget. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 02, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_050212_1.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra�s budget reportedly includes anywhere from $7 million to $9 million in tax revenue that only materializes if certain legislation passes the general assembly. But, to date, it hasn�t passed. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 08, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_050812.asp
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Responding to the highly publicized Election Day problems of November 2010 in municipalities including Bridgeport, where a shortage of paper ballots contributed to a days-long delay in the declaration of a new governor, the Connecticut Senate has approved a bill establishing standards to ensure local registrars buy enough ballots. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 08, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_060811.asp
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The Senate granted final legislative approval recently to a two-year, $44 billion spending plan that extends tax increases, cuts college scholarships and increases spending for a variety of programs. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 04, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_060413.asp
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After battling over the state budget since February, the Senate granted final legislative approval on June 25, 2007 to a two-year, $36 billion plan that raises the levy on cigarettes, but makes no changes in other major tax rates. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 26, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_062607.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that this fall, high-speed rail became the focal point of attack by Republican candidates for governor in several states. Most of these candidates won and are now pledging to kill rail projects in their states. This is short-sighted, with the country needing desperately to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gas emissions. For states in the Northeast, however, killing the Silver Streak offers a silver lining. If Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey and Florida don't want the money, put it on the fast track to New England, please. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 21, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_112110.asp
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Governor Dannel P. Malloy writes about his budget and the speech he gave when he presented it, and reiterates that, "Connecticut is open for business." Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 27, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_022710.asp
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The campaign to alert the new C.R.D.A. Board and other officials to opportunities for improving the �town/gown� relationship between the big state investments and the city seems to be getting some attention. The responses to the RFP for the XL Center is the best place to start. Which organization cares the most about the impacts on the citizens and businesses in the city of Hartford? Of all the factors involved, the answer to that question should be number one. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: November 22, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_news_112212.asp
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The just-ended 2007 session of the General Assembly took off amid soaring expectations but landed just short of a fizzle. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 8, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_060807.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that the lamentable session of the 2009 General Assembly, which expired recently, died without agreement between lawmakers and Gov. M. Jodi Rell on the most important item by far on the agenda: a state budget for the next two years. Each side has pronounced the state to be in the worst fiscal crisis in its history. Yet progress on a budget agreement has proceeded at a snail's pace since the session's opening gavel some five months ago. Paralysis has been the pathetic response to crisis. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 07, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_060709.asp
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When Mayor Pedro Segarra released his proposed 2012-13 budget recently, he will have to have plans on how to offset a revenue shortfall of $56.2 million � roughly 10 percent. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 14, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_041412.asp
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Homeowners in New Haven and several dozen other towns and cities could get a break on tax bills as early as July through a new state law allowing municipalities to delay revaluation or the phase-in of higher property assessments set by recent revaluations. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 27, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052709.asp
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State lawmakers recently declined to act on a bill to move forward funding to upgrade the Metropolitan District Commission's faulty sewer system. And although it was an unrelated issue, legislation to give Hartford small-business owners relief from property tax increases found its fate linked to the MDC bill as part of late-night political theater. As a result, it, too, died. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 7, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_060707.asp
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This Courant editorial expresses the opinion that Mayor Eddie Perez is using shock therapy to bring attention to the looming property tax bombshell in Hartford and other municipalities. Mr. Perez has come out for turning the burdensome property tax into a surrogate local income tax. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 17, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_031706.asp
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The battle between Mayor Eddie Perez and City Council over the 2009-2010 budget continued in earnest on May 26, 2009 and was taken up again at a special Council meeting onMay 28. The budget must be finalized by the end of this month. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: May 28, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_052809_1.asp
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Connecticut�s small business community is warning that state Democrats� proposals to increase income taxes and eliminate dozens of sales tax exemptions will hit them especially hard at a time when they are already struggling to retain jobs. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: April 06, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/hbj_040609.asp
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Small business owners and others gave Hartford City Council an earful on the city�s continuing tax crisis at a public hearing recently. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: July 11, 2007
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Link: /Issues/Documents/Taxes/htfd_news_071107.asp
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This Courant editorial expresses the opinion that state lawmakers should allow Hartford to delay revaluation for a year, as requested by the city council and Mayor Eddie A. Perez. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 29, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_052907.asp
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The Hartford city council�s decision to phase in the 2006 property revaluation over five years was not an ideal solution to the city�s tax problems. But it beats the alternative, which was to do nothing. Doing nothing would have slapped many small businesses in Hartford with immediate tax increases of as much as 200 percent, perhaps enough to drive more than a few of them out of the city or into bankruptcy. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 22, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_062207_a.asp
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According to Franklin Avenue business owner, Paul Mozzicato, about 800 small commercial businesses in Hartford are facing a significant financial squeeze if city and state officials don�t remedy the impact of the Hartford�s 1999 property tax revaluation. Mozzicato and several others are calling for a one-year moratorium in the implementation of the revaluation because of its potentially devastating affect on the small business community. City officials say the number of affected businesses is much smaller � about 200. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 21, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/hbj_052107.asp
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Small-town leaders blasted Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's proposal to eliminate the car tax, saying it would lead directly to higher property taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 04, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_030413.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that with Gov. M. Jodi Rell's plan to cut state services and aid to municipalities, followed by the General Assembly's "now you see 'em, now you don't" response to her call for a special session, Connecticut is set for a serious dust-up between those who believe there's no alternative to shrinking state government and those eager for some way � any way � to avoid it. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 20, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_122009.asp
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Officials in Maryland have, unlike most of their counterparts in Connecticut, figured out that sprawl is expensive. They are doing something about it. Connecticut, not so much. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 03, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/smartgrowth/htfd_courant_100311.asp
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The author of this opinion piece suggests that Connecticut must learn to focus on its problems holistically and examine which regional environmental, land-use and transportation planning practices and mechanisms will maximize fiscal efficiency and yield the greatest return for citizens. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 26, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_102608.asp
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Sixty-seven thousand dollars worth of vacant lots owned by the city were sold recently by the City of Hartford. The City sold them at an auction held recently in the atrium of city hall. About 30 people attended the auction, which hasn't been done in Hartford in 10 years or so. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 28, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/cityline_052810.asp
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Cityline reported earlier this week that 30 employees have applied for the city's voluntary retirement incentive program, which gives workers four additional years of pension credit or a number of years of free medical coverage. Three of those employees will stick around until June because of an extension from the mayor. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 03, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_120310.asp
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More than $12,000 in cash collected from Hartford taxpayers went missing during a six-month period from July 2007 through December 2007, and to this day the city has not figured out what happened to the money. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: July 20, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_072010.asp
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For years, ideas such as regionalizing school calendars, reforming special education funding and other proposals to trim the cost of local government were given brief discussions at the state Capitol -- though nothing more given to their controversial nature. But since Connecticut's cities and towns may have to get by with less state funding in the next budget, the time for delicately avoiding politically sticky cost-cutting ideas is over, House Speaker J. Brendan Sharkey pledged recently. Published by CT Mirror
; Publication Date: January 24, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/ct_mirror_012413.asp
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Legislation proposed earlier this year would have authorized Connecticut's large cities to levy a two-rate tax, also known as a "split tax," on land and buildings. Mayor Eddie Perez supported the idea, and is likely to push for it again next year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 17, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_121706.asp
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Larry Dorman and Matt O'Connor the official union coalition spokesmen for Connecticut state employee unions have a difficult task to explain the death of the expected union concessions deal. Union members voted down the $1.6 billion concessions plan. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: June 30, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_063011.asp
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Connecticut Senate Democrats are proposing a five-point economic-stimulus plan that would provide $250 in property tax relief for middle-class homeowners and $10 million to help senior citizens and lower-income families pay their fuel bills. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 29, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_012908.asp
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The General Assembly finally ended the longest budget battle in state history with the recent passage of bills to implement the state's two-year, nearly $37.6 billion budget. But the bickering isn't over. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 04, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_100409.asp
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The state House of Representatives recently approved a Democratic-written budget bill that would cut estate taxes for the wealthy, reduce the sales tax for everyone and increase the state income tax for couples earning more than $1 million a year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 01, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_090109.asp
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In more bad financial news for the state, the legislature's nonpartisan fiscal office now says the state budget deficit has grown to a projected $144.5 million. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 25, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_012512.asp
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Despite the largest tax increase in Connecticut history, the state is projected to finish the fiscal year (2012-2013) with an operating deficit of $192 million, officials said. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 05, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_070512.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant suggests that the "framework" state budget agreement reached over the weekend by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and legislative Democrats is not gimmick-free, no matter what the deal-makers say. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 29, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_052913.asp
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With the recent credit downgrade from Moodys and the specter of budget deficits at the end of the current fiscal year and the next, more work needs to be done, according to this Hartford Courant editorial. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 24, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_012412.asp
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With the economy improving, the state is now expecting a surplus of nearly $243 million for the current fiscal year � up sharply in the past month. The improvements caught some by surprise because Connecticut residents have been hearing mostly bad economic news since the collapse of the Lehman Brothers investment bank and the ensuing Wall Street downturn starting in September 2008. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 23, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_062310.asp
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With Wall Street rebounding sharply and tax collections better than expected, the state is now scheduled to end the 2013 fiscal year with a surplus of nearly $400 million. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 04, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_090413.asp
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For more than four months, Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Democratic legislators clashed over the state budget constantly � questioning deficit projections, battling over raising taxes, and wrangling over how deeply to cut social programs. Then, on June 28, the talks moved inside the governor's mansion in Hartford's West End, and the squabbling has been replaced by near-total silence. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 10, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_071009.asp
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Governor M. Jodi Rell comments that there is a continuing battle at the Connecticut Capitol over the state budget, and those with the most at stake are the families living in Connecticut, the businesses operating in our state and the men and women they employ. This fight is not about political ideologies or economic theory. How much government should spend, how much it should tax and what kind of budget will move us toward economic recovery are questions that affect every Connecticut family � and the answers will determine the future of our state for years to come. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 02, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_080209.asp
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From nursing home operators to the mentally ill, more than 300 people spoke at the state Capitol complex recently to protest Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell's proposed budget cuts to a wide variety of services. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 10, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_121009.asp
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The menu of difficult issues confronting the new General Assembly beginning this week is daunting, even to veteran lawmakers. This issues includes skyrocketing electric rates, universal health care, correcting problems within the state police, car taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 1, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Government/htfd_courant_010107.asp
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Despite the largest tax increase in state history last year, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said recently that the state now faces the prospect of a $1.2 billion deficit next year � a figure far worse than most legislators had expected. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 15, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_111512.asp
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The state's economic forecast worsened considerably recently, with the Malloy administration confirming a $365 million budget deficit and a Hartford financial research firm declaring that Connecticut has the worst credit quality in the nation. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 14, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_111412.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy raised the stakes Friday with the release of a "Plan B'' budget plan that includes 4,700 layoffs of state employees and more than $550 million in additional spending cuts that could include the shutdown of some state offices and cutbacks in all three branches of government. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 07, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_050711.asp
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State legislators battled all last year over the state budget, but they will be back at it when the General Assembly session opens. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 01, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020110.asp
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Proving that it's possible for all parties to work together in a spirit of compromise, Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the General Assembly agreed recently on a plan that eliminates most of the projected state budget deficit for the fiscal year 2010, which ends June 30, 2010. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 15, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_041510_1.asp
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State Senate leaders and Gov. M. Jodi Rell are vowing to approve an extension of the real estate conveyance tax, a measure that was left stranded in the hectic last minutes of the legislative session. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 07, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050710.asp
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Ending the longest budget battle in state history, the General Assembly approved the final nuts-and-bolts details of the spending plan, opting to preserve educational programs and deciding to postpone a controversial in-school suspension program by one year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 03, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_100309.asp
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Roughly 50 years ago, Connecticut built highway bridges with a 50-year life span. At about the same time, the state and New York took over commuter rail service that ran on the bones of a century-old railroad. So perhaps it is not surprising that the state faces $3 billion in transportation infrastructure improvement projects. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 24, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_122412.asp
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In this op-ed, the author suggests that it's time the General Assembly got serious about making substantial and lasting changes in our tax system. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 13, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021308.asp
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Rick Green writes that to run government more efficiently, leaders from chambers of commerce around the state say consolidating school districts and other substantial regionalization initiatives must be on the table. They want to discuss taxes that would actually pay for vital services to build an economy around - such as high-speed rail. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 10, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_121009.asp
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This Hartford Courant editorial expresses the opinion that Gov. M. Jodi Rell had warned that her recent State of the State speech would contain no big surprises, but there were two: Her welcome idea for a bipartisan commission to look for efficiencies in state government and for a four-person board to accept or reject the recommendations by Dec. 1) The General Assembly would vote on the recommendations early next year. 2) Her taking a page or two from President Obama's book. The commission seems modeled after Mr. Obama's idea for a bipartisan fiscal panel whose recommendations Congress could accept or reject with an up-or-down vote. Sadly, that bill failed to get support in the U.S. Senate. The Connecticut legislature should show more courage than that. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 04, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_020410_2.asp
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In the short term, the sale of the Morgan Street parking garage to the state looks like a good deal for Hartford. Though the deal is still being negotiated, details reported thus far indicate the city will receive a total of $26.2 million for an asset that is barely in the black. But, the deal could raise long-term issues that could work against the city. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 05, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_080513.asp
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Connecticut must cap state employee retiree health benefits and sharply raise fees for all sorts of state services in order to halt a long-term fiscal slide that is, in some ways, the worst in the nation. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 18, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041813.asp
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After barely getting a "C" in the first round of the Race to the Top competition, the state hopes to get a better grade and win millions of federal dollars with a revised application strengthened by the state's new school reform legislation. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 26, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_052610.asp
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Connecticut's constitutional spending cap is a study in inadvertent consequences. Its flaws are congenital. It was born of the longest, nastiest fight in Connecticut political history, the battle over the state income tax in 1991. It was written hurriedly and under great pressure by people � income tax supporters, mostly � who didn't really want a cap. It was meant to contain the political damage of adopting the tax as much as it was meant to contain spending. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 07, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_060713_1.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that the earned income tax credit, or EITC, is one of the best domestic policy tools ever invented. Since it can only be claimed by people who work and pay taxes, it encourages and rewards work. It keeps low-income wage earners out of poverty. The money saved goes right back into the local economy. It would be a shame to cut it, even temporarily. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 12, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031213.asp
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In flush economic times, the legislature could leave untouched the huge number of exemptions from the state's 6 percent sales tax: haircuts, prescription drugs, boat repairs, car washes, and food purchased at supermarkets, to name a few. But with a looming budget deficit, projected at $3.5 billion in the next fiscal year, "everything is on the table," Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has said repeatedly. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 26, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_012611.asp
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Income tax filing day has just passed, which generates the usual talk about how much we pay. We can expect tea party followers to hold rallies that focus on what they pay and how much they dislike paying it, instead of all the good things they get in return. We will also hear about "Tax Freedom Day," arrived at by an anti-tax group called the Tax Foundation that attempts to calculate how many days we work to earn enough money to pay our taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 26, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_042611.asp
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A key Wall Street rating agency downgraded the state's bonds recently as Connecticut teeters toward a deficit in the current fiscal year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 21, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_012112.asp
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The latest news from the state confirms what Connecticut families already know: the Great Recession is not really over. Thousands of us are still out of a home or a job, and many are still tallying losses from 2008 and 2009. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 04, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050412.asp
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A lot of people thought the state's seven-month budget crisis was finally over recently when Gov. M. Jodi Rell said she would allow a spending plan to become law, even without her signature. But the crisis is not over � at least not completely. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 06, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_090609.asp
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Mayors of the state's three largest cities are calling for the sale of alcohol in package stores and supermarkets on Sundays, continuing a running controversy on a long-banned practice in Connecticut. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 11, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_021110.asp
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Prompted by an increase in estate and gift taxes and slower growth in state spending, Connecticut is now projecting a surplus for the last fiscal year of $312 million. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 02, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_080213_1.asp
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This legislative session will be memorable if for no other reason than that House and Senate Republicans offered an alternative no-tax-increase budget proposal to the two competing plans already on the table. It is time to consider a third approach, one that meets the needs of Connecticut without raising taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 6, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_050607.asp
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As Connecticut hospitals increasingly flirt with the for-profit model of health care, the pros and cons of such conversions are weighing heavily on the minds of city and state officials. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: February 11, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/health/hbj_021113.asp
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Mike McGarry is chairman of the Hartford Republican town committee comments on Hartford budget. Most Hartford residents understand two basic facts about the city: Hartford's responsibilities outweigh its resources and its government has shrunk. The most startling and underreported statistic is the continuing over-taxation of small businesses � the heartbeat of the city. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 07, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050708.asp
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The $1.6 billion irony was lost on no one: Gov. Dannel P. Malloy had to sit out part of his "jobs tour" this week to oversee the slashing of 6,500 jobs. That will erase much of the hard-won gains the Connecticut economy has eked out over the last year. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 02, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_070211.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant staff suggest that when it comes to anti-poverty programs, even the toughest skeptic ought to have a soft spot for the federal earned income tax credit, which gives low-wage workers a leg up in the world. Connecticut should build on that success by enacting a state credit. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 30, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_033006.asp
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Connecticut�s largest corporations have accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars in unused research and development tax credits that could be used to spur an economic revival in the state, according to some local experts. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: April 19, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/hbj_041910.asp
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Hartford property taxpayers who hoped the City would ease up on its new accelerated tax collection this year should know this: City lawyers have declared that doing so is illegal. Find out more in this Hartford Courant news article written by Staff Writer Oshrat Carmiel. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 24, 2004
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/courant_092404.asp
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The staff of the state-owned Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, lobbied the state legislature to have the center exempted from the state-mandated admissions tax, which is charged for every ticket that is bought to enter any place of amusement, entertainment or recreation in Connecticut. The legislature approved the exemption, with an effective date of July 1, 2007. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 2, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_courant_070207.asp
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The city of Hartford aims to get more revenue from local businesses and homeowners alike through increased taxes. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: May 05, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_050509.asp
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The Hartford city council unanimously rejected a proposal by the city's property tax task force to lift a 3.5 percent tax cap on apartment buildings and homes not occupied by their owners. The proposal, the city council said, could hurt the city's most financially vulnerable residents � renters. Chancing harm on those most in need of help was not a risk the city council was willing to take, its members said. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 26, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_022608.asp
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The General Assembly acted last week to avert huge property tax increases on homeowners in Hartford, but while minimizing pain in the short term, it was only a stopgap measure. Unfortunately, it does nothing to solve the problem of the over-reliance on property taxes to pay rising costs of public education. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 15, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_051506.asp
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Corporate Hartford has weighed in on a proposal to spare small businesses from crushing tax increases and delay property revaluation for a year. And it doesn't like it. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 31, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_053107.asp
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Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) can be a real help to those in need. They can also lead to questionable tactics by scam artists and sky-high interest rates for un-knowing taxpayers. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 16, 2005
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031605.asp
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A task force formed by the mayor in September wants the state to bear some of the responsibility for the city's property tax woes. The task force formed by Mayor Eddie Perez in September 2007 to address the city's property tax mess is suggesting the state pay for lost revenues on tax-exempt properties in the city, such as state-owned buildings. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: December 20, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_122007.asp
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This op ed expresses the opinion that, although not a perfect system, the traditional property tax system is a reasonable proxy for the income of those who own the property - and an effective measure of the market value of the asset. A hybrid income tax complication would lead to unintended and unfortunate consequences. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 22, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_032206.asp
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This Hartford Courant editorial encourages Gov. M. Jodi Rell to introduce a smart growth budget in which the state assumes a larger share of education costs. It will get towns out of the taxing rat race and protect our quality of life. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 17, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/SmartGrowth/htfd_courant_121706.asp
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A 3.5 percent tax cap on some city apartment buildings has emerged as a sticking point between the city council and leaders of a task force trying to figure a way out of Hartford's property tax tangle. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 16, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021608.asp
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Despite a current state surplus of $917 million and prospects for a continued healthy revenue stream, taxpayers will see virtually no relief this year under terms of the tentative budget deal reached recently. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 20, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_062007.asp
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Hartford's small businesses are facing ruinous tax increases of up to 90 percent, but a fix may be in the works. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: June 7, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_advocate_060707.asp
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However, at two candidate forums held recently, the author got to the nub of what affects us every day in Connecticut - taxes. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: October 18, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_101812.asp
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In an effort to blunt the impact of the 2006 property revaluation on small businesses, Hartford's city council recently approved a phase-in of drastic tax increases over the next five years. The council and Mayor Eddie A. Perez also moved to form a task force to study long term solutions to the city's property tax predicament. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 9, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_060907.asp
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Rick Green comments on the crippling property tax bills that face dozens of small businesses in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 1, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_060107.asp
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Once again, this year, the council struggles with a budget it can do little with � expenditures outrunning current revenues � leading to de-structure tax increases. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: May 08, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_050808_1.asp
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Throughout Connecticut, towns are scrounging for ways to limit tax increases as they pull together their budgets, and many have been asking teachers to consider giving up raises and benefits. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 14, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_051410.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion opposing the move by the U.S. House of Representatives to cut all funding for the Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, which assists more than 100 programs across the country, including Hartford's. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 28, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_022811.asp
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With commonsense, the court of common council, directed the mayor to cut the expected increase in Hartford�s taxes from about 10% to about 7%, a 2 mill decrease. These cuts will certainly reduce city services as they were across the board � 8% for most departments � affecting the actual delivery of many benefits currently expected from city government. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: May 22, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_052208.asp
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Time was running out, with just 12 hours to go until the city's midnight deadline to pass its budget. But as the city council and Mayor Eddie A. Perez were stuck in deadlock, the mayor had sudden good news. He had found $3.2 million in revenue. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 05, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_060509_3.asp
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Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra asked his legislative delegation for a legislative fix for the city budget. Without it, he�d have to find between $7 million and $9 million in his budget to fill a new hole. The city�s house delegation have passed the bill. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 09, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_050912.asp
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Last week, Mayor Eddie A. Perez praised his 311, non-emergency phone line. This week, some on the city council say they'd consider cutting it. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 23, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_042309_1.asp
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The Hartford City Council passed a resolution Feb. 28 condemning a congressional spending bill that will mean deep cuts in federal funding. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: March 08, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_advocate_030811_1.asp
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The Hartford City Council had its first budget workshop of the year on Feb. 24. The city faces a $17.8 million shortfall, which amounts to around 3.2 percent of the total budget of $544.4 million. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: March 01, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_030111.asp
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Connecticut lawmakers are seeking to reduce the prison population because cost has become a major driver in criminal justice policy. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 15, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/prisonerre-entry/htfd_courant_051511.asp
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Of all departments in the city, the one office that should be calm, cool and collected is the Registrar of voters office. Turmoil in the voting system is not what the voters want - elections are too important to be bandied about like third world attempts at democracy. The whole idea of pay cuts, staff changes and council oversight of elections and election officials smacks of overreaching by a council that has lost its way. The voters spoke - they elected the current three registrars and expect them to serve under the conditions (and pay) that the election results demanded. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: July 18, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_071813.asp
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A year ago, Hartford small business owners warned they wouldn't survive a 100 percent increase in property taxes. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: May 15, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_051508.asp
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With the advent of the new political year, Mayor Eddie Perez has come out with his legislative agenda � not only for the city but for the state, which, after all, pays for almost half of the city�s $470 million annual budget. For next year, he wants the legislature to increase funding for Hartford�s schools and general government by another $15.5 million. And he wants legislators to make big, expensive changes in the tax code, in part by creating a new income tax credit for local property taxes. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: January 11, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_advocate_011107.asp
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As Connecticut takes its first steps toward allowing for initiative and referendum on state issues, Massachusetts is conducting a live experiment this Election Day. For the second time in six years, voters are being asked at the ballot box whether the state should abolish its income tax. In 2002, a similar measure got about 45 percent of the vote. So this time, both sides are taking the matter very seriously. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: October 06, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/government/hbj_100608.asp
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If you voted in the governor's race in November 2010, you marked a ballot without knowing how either Tom Foley or Dan Malloy would deal with a $3.4 billion state budget shortfall that hits Connecticut in eight short months. Both candidates ducked an issue that was arguably the biggest of the campaign. Both knew the truth would help neither of them. But here's a post-Election Day news bulletin: Barring an economic miracle, your state taxes are going up next July regardless of who won the governor's seat in the November election. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 03, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_110310.asp
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Because it is so heavily dependent on cars and highways, Hartford has sometimes been thought of as a smaller version of Los Angeles. It would be hard to spin that as a compliment. But as with many stereotypes, this one is dated. Los Angeles has begun to drastically change how citizens interact with its built environment. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 05, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_120510.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that a state-mandated cap on the growth of property-tax revenue is the wrong solution for the problem of the Connecticut tax system. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 17, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021708.asp
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Beginning May 23, 2007, people who go to downtown Hartford and the Asylum Hill neighborhood will be seeing blue. That's the color of the uniforms that will be worn by 15 security and cleaning ambassadors whose job it will be to make the streets cleaner and safer. The ultimate goal is to attract more people to Hartford to shop, play and live. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 18, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_courant_051807.asp
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Bill Curry, former counselor to President Clinton, expresses the opinion that Mayor Eddie Perez's leadership style is the reason most people cite for the serious challenges he faces in the upcoming election. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 22, 2007
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Link: /issues/documents/Government/htfd_courant_072207.asp
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A 13-year-old initiative that helps needy people move from welfare to work is the latest victim of Connecticut's budget impasse. Programs ranging from on-the-job training to child care stopped as of July 1, 2009 for thousands of people � mostly women � who receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, a state cash assistance program that can last 21 months. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 09, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_080909.asp
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An anti-bailout, anti-stimulus "tea party" at the state Capitol in Hartford recently drew an estimated crowd of 3,000 to protest what they consider excessive government spending on the day that many Americans pay their federal and state taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 16, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041609.asp
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Hartford's three registrars of voters can't get along and are squabbling among themselves. This is not new, but things have gotten so bad that Mayor Pedro Segarra has offered to serve as a mediator to resolve disagreements. The city shouldn't have three registrars. It does because of a quirk in state election law. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 21, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_102111.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that a proposed tax plan would give Hartford property owners a reason to watch spending. Hartford homeowners have been somewhat insulated from that unfortunate reality for decades, because the city has capped tax increases for residents and passed the difference on to commercial taxpayers. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 16, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_061610.asp
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The jaw-dropping impact that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's "Plan B" budget revision would have on state services should come as no surprise � least of all to those politicians, lawmakers and governors who have been the architects of a sprawling and expensive edifice of government that taxpayers can no longer afford to maintain. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 09, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_050911.asp
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Oz Griebel comments on the need for property tax reform in the City of Hartford. Hartford has labored under a tax system that differs significantly from all other Connecticut towns due in part to the city�s large amount of tax-exempt properties, its low percentage of residential homeowners, and the fiscal impact of repeated delays in revaluation. The Hartford Property Reform Task Force recommendations would be a major and constructive reform to strengthen Hartford as an attractive option for both residential and business investment. Published by The Hartford Business Journal
; Publication Date: February 25, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/hbj_022508.asp
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A possible solution to the state's $1.1 billion budget shortfall for the coming year could be borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars to make ends meet. But, the usual ways of filling a budget gap are not very doable this time around. Cutting that much spending in a $21 billion spending plan is neither good policy nor feasible. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 09, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_010913.asp
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After years of pitching the same idea, Rep. Tony Guerrera, D-Rocky Hill, has heard all the objections to levying tolls on Connecticut highways. As co-chairman of the General Assembly's transportation committee, Guerrera this winter is introducing yet another legislative proposal to put up high-tech, all-electronic tolls at eight key entry points to the state: two each on I-84 and I-95 and one each on the Merritt Parkway, I-91, I-395 and Route 6. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 19, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_011911.asp
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The suburban sprawl that characterized the decades after World War II eviscerated Hartford and other cities, drawing businesses and middle-class residents to the suburbs. Curiously, Hartford now is in the act of abetting sprawl, despite its painful experience. The city owns an 86-acre parcel of wooded land in Farmington. Officials from Hartford and Farmington have agreed to work together to develop the site into a large office complex, possibly including a hotel. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 07, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_120712.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that Connecticut taxpayers and businesses should be encouraged by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's efforts to get spending under control and put our state government back on solid financial footing. The governor's newly unveiled budget proposal shows a willingness to embrace efficiencies and spending cuts that are essential to closing a $3.2 billion budget gap. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 27, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_022711_2.asp
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Things are tough in Windsor. Kate Lubin, a caseworker for town social services, says she fielded 65 phone calls last month alone � 20 more than usual � asking for energy assistance. Many of the callers are first-timers. Things are tough all over, which makes Gov. M. Jodi Rell's proposed budget that much more the bitter pill. Overall, the governor's proposed cuts aren't as deep as the ones she suggested in December 2009, but her target remains children, youth and families. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 14, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_021410.asp
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Governor Dannel Malloy's original budget plan would keep state aid flowing to cities and towns, and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities is lobbying hard to keep it intact. Faced with the possibility of devastating cutbacks if the governor's plan fails, leaders of big cities and rural towns put aside differences and endorsed it. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 14, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_041411.asp
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It is looking increasingly likely that an all-important budget deal between Governor Dannel Malloy and state union leaders will fail. One union has already rejected the labor savings and concessions deal. It's possible another will do the same. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: June 22, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/jcohen_062211.asp
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Before the governor proposes a budget or legislators start changing it, the chief lobbyist for Connecticut's municipalities is issuing a plea: Don't cut aid to towns and cities. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 07, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_010713.asp
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As legislators edge closer to decision time on a new budget, Connecticut's towns and cities are stepping up their campaign to suspend or terminate state laws that they blame for driving up local property taxes.
Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 26, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_032613.asp
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Economic blues will linger in many towns and cities during the upcoming budget season, with little or no growth expected in October 2009 tax bases. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 07, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_090709.asp
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When Gov. Dannel Malloy was forced by the then-recalcitrant state unions to produce a Plan B budget to cover a $1.6 billion deficit, the cuts that didn't make sense were the fare increases on Metro-North, Shore Line East and transit buses. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 24, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_072411.asp
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The Senate recently approved a $20.5 billion budget deal that raises Metro-North commuter fares, increases overall state education spending for municipalities by $100 million, blocks bus fare hikes, and creates a new state office to promote affordable housing. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 08, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050812.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that with the recession hammering tax revenue, it's worth noting two recent efforts of eastern Connecticut towns to pool services and save money. The Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments has worked methodically throughout the year to get all of its towns to agree on a region-wide system of real estate revaluations, beginning next year. State law requires revaluations to take place every five years. This may be the first time that one Connecticut region has pooled resources to negotiate one contract to complete this predictable municipal chore on behalf of multiple towns. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 27, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_112710.asp
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With the economy clearly slowing down, everyone from the Republican governor to Democratic legislators to business lobbyists is calling for a cut in business taxes this year to help struggling mom-and-pop stores. The mechanism is the elimination of the state's "business entity tax" of $250. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 23, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_022308.asp
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When you consider current liabilities, underfunded pension and unfunded retiree health obligations, 44 states with more liabilities and obligations than assets per taxpayer, with Connecticut at the very bottom. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 20, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_072012.asp
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Kevin Lembo writes that Connecticut is engaged in a historic debate over how to promote Connecticut job growth and reinvigorate Connecticut's financial power � overcoming one of our nation's worst economic downturns since the Great Depression. In an effort to eliminate wasteful spending, strengthen budget transparency and deliver government services more efficiently, he recently proposed legislation that would shift the Department of Social Services' drug purchasing operations to the comptroller's office. This consolidation of purchasing would immediately save the state approximately $66.5 million. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: February 16, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021611_1.asp
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said recently that he was moving "full steam ahead'' with plans to lay off 7,500 state employees, as leaders of the AFSCME union announced that their members had officially rejected a savings and concession deal that would have given them layoff protection for four years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 24, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_062411_1.asp
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On the eve of the city council's meeting to begin deliberations on Mayor Eddie A. Perez's $547.6 million budget and its hefty homeowner tax increase, some of the city's unions offered possible concessions - but only if they get labor guarantees and information first. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 19, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_051909_1.asp
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Here's a new concept, a state employee concession plan that everybody can understand: guarantee jobs for a shorter workweek. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 12, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_071211.asp
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After a weekend of deliberations, the state employee unions asked Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to "reconvene discussions as soon as possible" to reach a new agreement on concessions and savings. The move by the unions is their latest attempt to avert about 6,500 layoffs and the resulting cutbacks in state services. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: July 06, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_070611.asp
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A committee of the city council met recently for what amounted to another - albeit shorter - public hearing on the city budget and Mayor Eddie A. Perez's proposed tax increase. Attending the meeting were representatives from the Hartford Public Services Coalition - a largely union-based organization whose members haven't seen eye to eye with Perez on the budget. The coalition came with a Freedom of Information Requests - a list of 27 data requests that touches on political hot points like lists of city paid-for cell phones to city contracts for the former head of the city's Democratic party to a listing of all consultant contracts. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: May 11, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/cityline_051109.asp
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In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that the leaves have barely begun to turn, but the lobbying on next year's state budget has already started. The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, lobbyists for local governments, has begun pressuring gubernatorial candidates to maintain state aid to cities and towns, or else municipalities will have to consider raising local property taxes. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 13, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_091310.asp
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On Jan. 1, 2008, the twin engines that fuel the weight-loss industry and tax-preparation companies roared into life with an onslaught of television and print ads. Weeks before, 11 volunteers sat around a table at the Hartford office of Co-opportunity Inc. to learn to fill out tax forms for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. If a few post-holiday pounds are unavoidable, at least the volunteers would be prepared to complete forms for poor and moderate-income taxpayers � for free. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 09, 2008
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_010908.asp
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The earned income tax credit provides tax refunds, for those who qualify, of up to $5,891 for households with three or more qualifying children. For several years, an initiative called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) has offered help to taxpayers. VITA, which offers free tax help to households with an annual income of less than $50,000, is no small enterprise. Last year, more than 9,400 taxpayers in central and northeastern Connecticut received a total of more than $20 million in refunds and credits, including $6.5 million in earned income tax credits. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: January 14, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/homelessness/htfd_courant_011413_1.asp
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Hartford voters recently had an opportunity to save the city nearly $1 million over the next four year, by voting yes on the only referendum question on this fall's municipal election ballot. Voting yes essentially canceled a big raise that city council members voted for themselves three years ago. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: October 31, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_103112.asp
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A former Diggs Construction employee and city resident said he notified the Hartford School Building Committee and a member of the city council in 2011 that Diggs and city officials had failed to recoup millions of dollars in state reimbursements for school construction projects. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: April 02, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_040213.asp
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In this opinion piece, the author suggests that last year, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed a 3-cent-per-gallon increase in the state's gas tax. The General Assembly rejected it out of hand. This year, the lawmakers should find the courage to pass it, politically unpopular though it may be. The state's roads and bridges need to be repaired, and the people who repair them don't work for free. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 08, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/transportation/htfd_courant_030812.asp
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If you think of Texas as a land of sprawl and swagger, and maybe with a bit of an environmental problem, you're not wrong. Is it the whole story? Hardly. If you make $50,000 in Hartford, you have the same buying power as someone making about $36,000 in Houston, the fourth largest city in the country. In other words, your money goes a lot farther, and none of it goes into a state income tax. The untold story is the huge, diverse and thriving middle class. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: June 14, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_061413.asp
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Mike McGarry asks: How are the bills going to be paid by the City of Hartford? Projections show huge deficits in the next few years - but the city cannot run in the red. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: December 13 - 20, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Government/htfd_news_121306.asp
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Wyn Achenbaum, a tax reform activist, suggests in this commentary that there are many benefits to a two-tiered property tax system in which land is taxed at a higher rate than buildings. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: March 12, 2006
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Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_031206.asp
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The citizens of Hartford, East Hartford and all of Connecticut, those who live, work and play in Downtown Hartford and at Rentschler Field, deserve better. Better than they have gotten from the massive � taxpayer funded � investments in the Veterans� Memorial Civic Center (now the XL Center), Rentschler Field and Adriaen�s Landing. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: January 17, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_011713.asp
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After several calls to various city officials, Mike McGarry still can't get an answer to a simple question: when does the city of Hartford reach the 100 mil level of taxation? Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: April 30, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_043009.asp
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On July 30, 2009, Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Democrats who control the legislature unveiled budget proposals that for the first time used the same deficit projections and contained the seeds of an agreement. That made it possible � not likely, but possible � for the leaders, who had not met since July 21, 2009 to get down to serious budget talks and get their work done. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 09, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_080909_1.asp
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The state legislature was unable to agree on a law that that would have brought Hartford $8 million in tax revenue. And, there's a lot of blame going around. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR
; Publication Date: May 10, 2012
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Link: /issues/documents/government/jcohen_051012_2.asp
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In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that Gov. M. Jodi Rell gave majority Democrats in the legislature a verbal drubbing for being profligate spenders recently when she announced she was letting their budget become law without her signature. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 06, 2009
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Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_090609_1.asp
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That wariness of being sucked up by labor or left-wing activist groups such as MoveOn.org hasn't stopped the Connecticut Occupiers from reaching out to all those organizations for general support and cooperation. Published by The Hartford Advocate
; Publication Date: December 14, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_advocate_121411.asp
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Buyouts and early retirement incentive programs are a questionable and sometimes risky means for governments to achieve permanent savings. The retirement program currently under way in Hartford is illustrative � it could end up being a disaster for the city. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: December 02, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_120210.asp
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Connecticut's decision to boost the tax rate on cigarettes turns out to be a win-win for state revenues and residents' health. Last October, the tax rate jumped from $2 to $3 per pack. In the budget year that ended June 30, 2010, the state collected about $380 million in cigarette taxes, which was $5 million more than had been projected. At the same time, cigarette sales dropped. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: September 17, 2010
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_091710.asp
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With the largest tax increase in Connecticut history kicking in, the state is projected to generate a surplus of more than $100 million in the current fiscal year - finally pushing the state into the black. While the number might seem surprising after years of major budget problems, the surplus is attributable to the tax increases that started on July 1 - as well as the state income tax hikes that are retroactive to January 1. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: November 30, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_113011.asp
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Hartford's real problem, which affects the poor and working poor, is its high tax rate - 74.29 mills - that is ruining the chances for any opportunity for all of its citizens. Published by The Hartford News
; Publication Date: September 05, 2013
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_news_090513.asp
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State employee unions announced recently that on the second try they have ratified a labor savings and concessions agreement that will avert thousands of layoffs and, according to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, close a $1.6 billion budget gap in the next two years and save $21.5 billion over 20 years. Published by The Hartford Courant
; Publication Date: August 19, 2011
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Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_081911.asp
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