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The First Casualty

John Adams once said, “Facts are stubborn things.” Households in the 36th District received a Capitol Update 2016 mailer from State Representative Philip Miller. He trumpets the passing of a balanced budget that spends less without new taxes, has no withdrawals from the Rainy Day Fund, and fully funds past pension liabilities. Before fiscal year 2016-’17 began July 1, Governor Dannel Malloy targeted reductions of $190 million to bring budget into balance. If you passed a balanced budget, why the need to establish these reduction targets prior to the start of the fiscal year?

As for the Rainy Day Fund, it was not used because it will be emptied by a withdrawal of $315 million to close 2015-’16 deficit. Representative Miller’s assertion that past pension liabilities are now fully funded is woefully incorrect and demonstrates a lack of understanding of this critical topic. The total underfunding of the state’s pension liabilities is estimated at at least $26 billion,

Given the total State of Connecticut budget is approximately $20 billion, it is impossible to proclaim these past pension liabilities as fully funded.

And not to be forgotten, how is that reduced property income tax credit working for everyone?

The new economic reality endorsed by both Governor Malloy and Representative Miller in the 2016-’17 budget is harsh and indiscriminate in its impact. From educational to mental health and addiction services, from the judicial branch to economic development and tourism, all are adversely affected. Millennials flee the state while retired people seek out more favorable environments to stretch their fixed incomes. Combine these actions with internationally recognized companies seeking refuge elsewhere and the resulting economic reality is grim.

It is unfortunate these stubborn things called facts have become the first casualty of this election season.

Lynn Herlihy

Essex