New Haven Independent

posted by: Townie on June 2, 2010  7:58am

Since when is it a State Rep’s job to create employment? Government should have no role in the creation and elimination of jobs. Their role should remain focused on issues of infrastructure, environment and security/defense. Cut spending, do away with the state income tax and pressure the State’s cities to lower property taxes. Oh and privatize rail transport and the bus service. Let the market place grow without a dependence on government and maybe jobs will increase in Connecticut. The point is government should be as small as possible in order to effectuate any growth of commere, industry and trade.

posted by: Sergio's constituent on June 2, 2010  8:58am

Sergio is my alderman, and I have had no response from him when I emailed him with questions.  My neighbor has contacted him several times with no response, so I would disagree with his stance that he addresses constituent concerns.

posted by: Bruce on June 2, 2010  9:29am

Strangers in the niiight….

Creating jobs is very simple.  Lower taxes.  Done. Next question?

posted by: Doyens on June 2, 2010  9:32am

I have mixed emotions about both candidates. On a personal level I like them. Sergio did propose cuts to city spending this year which is key to the city’s sustainability and financial health. It is currently a complete mess and is not sustainable at current spending and debt levels.

Pat Dillon has been in Hartford a long time. The state’s financial problems in part, belong to her. They are just a bigger version of what’s wrong with New Haven. Extraordinary debt, crippling taxes and extraordinary expenses due to 50,000 employees and an every expanding menu of programs. With few exceptions, there are real questions as to the efficiency let alone the efficacy of many of them.

On one thing, let’s be clear. The energy bill noted by Dillon may have mandated a decrease in utility rates, but its pathway to such a reduction was highly dubious; its math questionable and the likelihood of costing us even more than we pay now quite probable. It wasn’t vetted well and the potential for unintended consequences because of that poor planning is too great a risk. It should have been vetoed by the governor.

In the next session, those supporting a real reduction in our utility rates, should start with how the electrical grid is stacked, and how much companies bidding for that business are paid. If the discussion starts there, and isn’t prostituted to subsidize alternative energy, consumers might actually see a decrease in rates next year rather than an increase.

posted by: Sean Martin on June 2, 2010  9:57am

I’m one of his constituents. And I’ve never seen him. Never met him. Never had him knock on my door.

I’m glad he wants to run for higher statewide office. And I’m surprised he’d be so blunt about it - if that’s why he’s running for state rep, that’s about the lousiest reason I can think of.

He probably has lots of ideas about how to spend my money, but I’d rather have someone in Hartford who’s serious about legislating and doesn’t see it as a stepping stone to something else.

Before he accuses Pat Dillon of neglecting constituent services (seriously? her office has always been amazing at following up with voters) maybe he should get his own house in order.

posted by: Townie on June 2, 2010  10:26am

Can someone explain how lowering taxes creates jobs? A property tax decrease would not automatically provoke businesses to open or existing businesses to hire more eomployees. They still have to deal with unemployment/ payroll taxes, health insurance fees, workers’ comp insurance, etc.  An unemployment tax deduction might help in creating an impetus to bring more jobs to the state. If I’m not mistaken CT has one of the highest Unemployment tax rates in the nation. Any supposition that states a simple solution is to cut taxes is flawed and myopic. Connecticut also needs to improve its roadways, public transportation system, municipal zoning regulations, as well as make improvements to our educational system. A reduction in crime in our cities (New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport) might also help lure industry and commerce.
Also, improvement of current systems (public transport, roadways) does not automatically mean an increase or maintenance of the current tax rate. We can maintain and improve what is in place by making funding cuts to other, unnecessary, programs and agencies. Elimination of the income tax would also mean an elimination of the Dept. of Revenue, which means a lot less people on the State’s payroll.
Cutting taxes is a necessary and fundamental element to job creation, but it is not the only one.

posted by: Bruce on June 2, 2010  11:15am

Hi Townie.  I can explain it.  Many businesses have a choice of where they open or expand their operations.  Taxes on real estate and real property are often a significant expense.  If the taxes are lower in another state (or another town, or another country etc), they have an option to move.  If they choose to stay here, more local jobs are available.

Obviously there are other things that factor in, but lowering tax burden on businesses provides incentive to stay.

posted by: Taxpayer on June 2, 2010  11:26am

Pat Dillion is a very powerful and effective legislator and a part of the house leadership. It would be a shame to lose such a good legislator. She is not afraid to challenge her own party even the leadership of the the City of New Haven. She supported a law that prevented development which diminished homeowners property values. Development being undertaken by the city of New Haven which “watered down” residential zoning restrictions.Planned Development Districts can no longer harm homeowners in residental zones. She sought aid to protect the values of the homeowners which where “sinking.” So far I see her opponent as one who has just voted to increase our taxes.

posted by: My Two Cents on June 2, 2010  11:34am

Sergio Rodriguez has spent the better part of his six years as an alderman “rubber stamping” the Mayor.  Did he just now realize that New Haven taxpayers are “overburdened”? If he wants to go to Hartford to do the Mayor’s bidding, he should take a shortcut and just apply for a job as yet another “legislative liaison”.

posted by: Townie on June 2, 2010  1:34pm

Quote from Bruce, “I can explain it.  Many businesses have a choice of where they open or expand their operations.  Taxes on real estate and real property are often a significant expense.  If the taxes are lower in another state (or another town, or another country etc), they have an option to move.  If they choose to stay here, more local jobs are available”.

I think there is an error in logic, correlation does not always mean causation. In the case of taxes and jobs, I have always maintained that we put too much emphasis on the role taxes play in creating employment opportunities. The concern is that candidates will also focus, incorrectly, on the issue of taxes and they will ignore the issue of spending. Democrats tend to do this more often than Republicans. By cutting costs we might not increase our income substantially, but we can better manage the funds that we do have. Instead of paying the salaries of unnecessary government employees we could be funding infrastructure improvements. Also, if we focused on cutting costs than any deficit created by tax cuts would be diluted. Basic economics, our income should not be less than our spending. Cut spending and create an economic environment that enables tax cuts (tax abolition!). This candidate, almost all Democrats, seem to not recognize that basic precept. They all want to promise tax cuts, when they get into office they soon realize cutting taxes would mean cutting social welfare programs and laying off government employees and Democrats get elected by the very people who depend on and expect the social welfare programs. Don’t vote for this guy, I’m sure he is like all the other politicians. What we need is someone who will promote common sense solutions to our State’s problems. Connecticut is a small state it should not be difficult to create a vibrant and efficient mode of governance and economy.

posted by: anon on June 2, 2010  1:52pm

The State can not create many jobs. The vast majority of job creation comes from the private sector. 

The State CAN help create the conditions necessary for private entrepreneurs to succeed: clean streets, good transportation, walkable neighborhoods, increased social equity to help reduce crime, reduce economic stress on middle and lower income residents so that they have more disposable income (e.g., redistribute tax breaks and other subsidies so that they go more towards working families, not primarily to the rich).

posted by: streever on June 2, 2010  1:56pm

Bruce: Strongly disagree. Does New York drive business away with taxes? No, it uses taxes in a smart & reasonable manner to create an incredible city which attracts businesses.

Businesses will go where they can make money. CT has played the tax deferral game for years, and suburbs and cities play it now. UI came here for a deal on taxes. Now they moved to Orange for another deal on taxes. Maybe if no one gave out tax deals, they’d pick a location based on good business sense, locating it near their employees.

Trying to compete on taxes is like cities trying to compete with suburbs based on parking. Never going to work. A suburb can always make more parking, another nation can ALWAYS have lower taxes.

IF it is as simplistic as taxes, why is any business in NY? Why aren’t they all located in Mongolia? It’s not that simple, and you can’t make it that simple with logic.

Business go where there are customers. There is a lot of complexity and nuance, it isn’t so simple as taxes. Taxes are simply one cost out of many to a business and one that factors into the bottom line price a consumer pays.

posted by: Threefifths on June 2, 2010  2:17pm

Stop voting for the crooked two party.Get rid of The North American Free Trade Agreement And companies who are Outsourcing there customer serivce departments boycott them until they bring tese job back to american.

posted by: streever on June 2, 2010  2:22pm

Bruce:
“clean streets, good transportation, walkable neighborhoods, increased social equity to help reduce crime, reduce economic stress on middle and lower income residents so that they have more disposable income”

couldn’t have said it better. didn’t, actually.

As long as taxes are well-spent (obviously they aren’t in New Haven) they create an environment which people want to live in & shop in & work in, which in turn creates profit and opportunity for businesses.

It would be silly to compete on lower taxes. Better to work hard to see that taxes are spent equitably and smartly and that they create a good environment.

All that aside, my vote is with Dillon. Rodriguez seems like a good guy, but I think Dillon has been fantastic. No need to vote her out when she is doing a good job.

posted by: Bruce on June 2, 2010  2:40pm

Streever, I strongly agree!  Whether it is a “break” a “deal” or just lower tax rate, lower expenses help a business thrive and allow it to take on new employees. 

Again, like I already said above, this is obviously not the only factor.  But lower taxes do attract business.

posted by: concernedwestvilleres on June 2, 2010  2:49pm

I have met both Pat and Sergio and they are both fine individuals.  That said, I believe Pat is doing a good job in Hartford and listens to our concerns.  She may not do what we ask, but she always has an open ear and a response as to what action can and can’t be taken and why or why not.  Sergio is an Alderman and he also listens to his constituents if they can find him.  He is only one Alderman on the Mayor’s rubber stamp board so he can’t do much on his own.
Unless Sergio can provide a compelling reason to vote for him over Pat, I will support Pat even though I am an Independent and can’t vote in the primary.

posted by: Cedarhillresident on June 2, 2010  4:15pm

Despite my battering of the Serg… he is a good guy. He took care of his ward.

I think it is a good thing when you have two candidates running, it is a great thing for democracy. I believe this will be a battle ground.

And as stated by some I like them both this should be an area to watch.

Good luck to both

posted by: Alphonse Credenza on June 2, 2010  4:27pm

The only “employment” a government representative can really create is a sinecure.  These are jobs people can’t and won’t get fired from, but which we don’t need and can’t afford. 

Government reps need to cut the size of government, reduce taxes and create business incentives for the real jobs-creators to get moving.

posted by: Politics as usual on June 2, 2010  5:04pm

There seems to be an air of racism in quite a few of the comments that have been posted thus far. The comments about welfare and those reliant upon the system voting Sergio into his current office is downright evil. Sergio lives next to the mayor. Are we to assume that the honorable mayor DeStefeno is one of those “low-class” recipients that put and kept Mr. Rodriguez in office? The ward that Sergio represents (and does quite a fine job of doing by the way) is comprised of constituents with several ethnic, racial and economic backgrounds. Sergio has come up with several ideas for bettering the district that speak to more than just one demographic. I honestly cannot claim the same for Ms. Dillon. I haven’t heard one single idea from her that involves creating opportunities young people to create small businesses, or enacting legislation to let municipalities create other revenue sources aside from property taxes. I have also never heard testemony from a Dillon constient that wan’t already middle class or affluent about how she has helped to uplift residents to a better station in this community. I think that if Sergio’s sir name was “Whitmore” rather than Rodriguez, his views and ideas would be a welcome breath of fresh air to the political discourse of the 92nd district. But since it is, he obviously doesn’t know what hes talking about, right?

posted by: Rep. Pat Dillon on June 2, 2010  7:12pm

Mr (or Ms) “Politics as Usual”  claims
“haven’t heard one single idea from her that involves..enacting legislation to let municipalities create other revenue sources aside from property taxes.”
That statement is not accurate. In the first year of this session I cosponsored:
1. HB 5189, AN ACT CONCERNING A LOCAL OPTION TO IMPOSE A LODGING OCCUPANCY TAX.
2. HB 5540, AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL REVENUE DIVERSIFICATION. 
Both would have created other revenue sources besides the property tax.

posted by: FacChec on June 2, 2010  8:07pm

“Sergio said his second main campaign issue is tax reform. Property taxes are a local issue, but they’re “state driven.” Property taxes are the only way New Haven has to raise money, Rodriguez said. He said he’d like to see local taxes as another option”.

Is that so Sergio…“hiccup”

More recently you served two years as chairman of the BOA Finance committee. During your rein you successfully managed to guide some of the more far reaching tax increases the city has ever experienced. You orchestrated increases to the general fund budget, increases to school construction cost over-run and bail-outs, increases to parking fees,lighthouse park fees, and city licencing fees.

While at the same time you were denying citizens their right to speak in a publicly in front of your committee.

You should be ashamed of your self to now change your spots before the silk screen is dry and try to re-package your self as a “tax reformer.

Don’t even try it!!!

No, you really need to get out of town.

As for Dillon, who righteously proclaims to go to tax meetings and who is a tax payer in the cityof New Haven, never once in all her taxpaying years, raised her voice in opposition to tax increases in general, nor under Rodriquez, nor during this years budget fiasco.

Dillon, you need to follow Rodriquez…outta here.

posted by: Westville townie on June 3, 2010  12:36am

Sergio is too my alderman.  Guess what?  He comes knocking only around election time.  And he hardly gets things done.  He is hot air, that has said for years he will accomplish certain things, and doesn’t.  He attempts token gestures, but nothing to affect real change.  At least be honest Sergio.  He can’t positively impact a ward, and you think he can do a State?

posted by: Townie on June 3, 2010  7:56am

Quote from Politics as Usual, “There seems to be an air of racism in quite a few of the comments that have been posted thus far. The comments about welfare and those reliant upon the system voting Sergio into his current office is downright evil.”

Oh please. All Democrats depend on the urban minority vote, most of whom depend on some form of government aid. It’s not racist or “evil” to make that observation. This candidate, like most Democratic candidates, will push the idea of tax cuts, but knows that tax cuts without spending cuts would create a larger deficit. Also, like most politicians, he knows that cutting programs that people expect and consider entitlements would be political suicide. So, his protestations about cutting taxes is just hot air, par for the course in American politics. And, just because he has wealthy supporters does not prove any error in this observation. All Democrats also depend on their wealthy bourgeois armchair-liberal allies. It’s a basic and simple concept. Liberals (Democrats) pretend to care about poor people and the working class, social issues, etc, in order to garner votes from that sector of the population. Conservatives (Republicans) don’t even pretend to care in order to gain support from the other segment of the population. 
It is not the government’s job to raise employment, it is not their job to provide housing or welfare. Their job should be to interfere with the individual as little as possible and to provide a safe and clean environment that enables socio-economic prosperity and growth.
The minute a candidate begins to call for a drastic government downsizing, cuts to State programs, abolition of the income tax and the creation of an efficient unicameral legislature, is the moment when I actually vote.

posted by: blue dog dem on June 3, 2010  8:36am

NY taxes are lower than those in New Haven.  My friend in Queens owns a home that is worth twice as much as mine in Westville and he pays almost half of what I am currently paying (not counting our coming increase) meaning his taxes are basically 1/4 of mine.  Even with sales tax and income taxes slightly higher, the residents are much better off financially there keeping more money in their pockets than here.  My taxes have almost tripled since we bought our house ten years ago and the only reason I stay is because my wife and kids like it here with their friends and neighbors.  Unfortunately that soon may not be a good enough reason to keep throwing money away.

Businesses want to be in NYC because of all it offers.  Quality of life in NYC is ten times better than in New Haven for residents and for those who commute in from outside the 5 boros use great transportation services to get to and from work.  Across the board each and every service necessary to attract businesses and residents is better there than here. 

Every voter should remember how their alder voted.  This isn’t Solomon-esqe in splitting the baby.  They either voted for an increase or not.  Not that they approved a lower hike than what was originally offered.  They still are responsible for picking your pocket without providing a reasonable benefit in return.  I was in NYC yesterday when Bloomberg negotiated no layoffs with the teachers by Mulgrew agreeing no pay raises.  That’s how its supposed to work – give and take and not JDS just giving away the store every time. 

New Haven will never be the economic equivalent (in a smaller scale) to NYC or any other important economic hub.  New Haven offers nothing for new businesses downtown except unfair taxation and no parking, and to it’s residents and those it wants to attract get high property taxes, schools that they can’t send their kids to and limited services.  My office equipment is depreciating yet my taxes on it are increasing.  Why should I keep an office here when the cost of doing business doesn’t equal to what this location brings in revenue?  My building went from 95% occupancy last year to 70% this year.  Why?

We’ll be lucky to tread water for the next decade, much less try to improve to be more like an actual urban mecca that you are wishing for.  Just because the mayor hides deficits from being on the budget doesn’t mean that they don’t exist.  In my opinion, the only manner and not just the quickest, to begin to get out from under the debt that JDS has put on each and every resident of New Haven is to declare Chapter 9 bankruptcy and renegotiate every contract bringing them more in line with what other major cities are responsible for and ending the waste.  Until that happens you’re putting a band aid on the budget while a tourniquet is necessary for the pension and health, and the patient, New Haven, is going to bleed out.

posted by: Sean M on June 3, 2010  9:39am

Blue Dog Dem -

Trying to say that taxes in New Haven are higher than in NYC because property values in NYC are higher is a pretty sorry attempt to understand this issue.

I understand that you feel your taxes are too high… so you want the city to lower taxes, but also improve services and schools, and whack the public employee unions. Because the economy is poor, you want lower taxes. But when the economy is booming, you will also want your taxes cut. In every scenario, you will want your taxes cut.

It sounds like you’d be better off in a city like Houston. Low tax rates. Low services. Very few unions.

Also, no real middle class to speak of.

You know what NYC has lots of? Unions. Everywhere. And a pretty good middle class. But it also has a tough school system and alot of potholes.

It’s silly to keep comparing the New Haven and New York economies. They’re different. Get over it. I get that being a Blue Dog means never having to explain your reasons for loving tax cuts, but let’s not forget that tax cuts COST MONEY. You have to pay for them somehow, and aside from getting rid of swimming instruction in schools (after all - why would we teach someone to swim? when will someone ever need that skill in life?) and giving a 20% paycut to city workers, the tax cut fanatics don’t have much in the way of ideas.

posted by: blue dog dem on June 3, 2010  11:04am

Sean M

I believe Bruce and Streever were the ones who brought up NYC, not me.  I just continued the conversation.  When my friend’s house is worth $950k and he pays $5,100 in taxes and mine is worth maybe $425,000 and I’m paying $7,200, that’s a big deal.

Second, I have never said that we should have property tax cuts, just eliminate the waste and the cuts would come naturally.  I stated that we should not have an increase and have never said otherwise.  Nor have I ever stated that we should cut school programs, just eliminate all the waste that occurs by patronage and no-show jobs.  Cut the administration and leave the programs alone.
By going bankrupt you can renegotiate the benefits portion without cutting salaries.  NYC has productivity bonuses wherein those who actually work get rewarded for their labors and those who sit on their rears are soon looking for employment or at least not promoted. 

I work with NYC unions all the time and they are my biggest clients.  I guess you don’t know who Bloomberg (Mayor of NYC) or Mulgrew (head of the teacher’s union) are.  As I said, I was in his office yesterday when the deal was announced.  Not your typical place for someone to be hanging out unless you are welcomed in. 

I’m a graduate of NYC schools and their “potholes” are a lot less than the craters here in New Haven.  I tried to send my oldest to a public school here and quickly pulled her, while my friends all have their kids in NYC public. 

So I appreciate you’re trying to read my mind, but you were basically wrong on all counts.  I suggest you actually read what I write, and as long as I don’t pull another Blumenthal, you should respond to what is actually written and not what your liberal mind thinks is there.

posted by: blue dog dem on June 3, 2010  2:58pm

Sean M - continued:

I work very hard to provide for my family.  I make sure that neither my wife nor children waste money, but I am supposed to accept, quietly, when the City that continues to raise my taxes mismanages money year after year.  I am all for social programs, especially those that emphasize benefits for children, the elderly and the handicapped, but am against waste in all shapes and sizes.  For example, if my wife and I celebrate our tenth anniversary and I buy her a watch.  The watch is worth $2,000, but I buy it for $1,200.  Most would consider that a good deal.  However, if I pay $3,000 for a $2,000 watch, most would consider me a sucker, especially if someone else paid $1,200 for the same watch.  My point is that we are overspending on benefits that we don’t have to.  Why do we have to count a police officer’s overtime when working a construction site as part of their pension?  Why can’t cops come to your house when your car has been stolen?  Is it because they are too tired from working the previous 8-12 hours overtime at a construction site?  Why are we paying $3,000 for a $2,000 watch?  Because contracts that JDS negotiated were back-ended and he didn’t have the foresight to realize that one day the bills would have to be paid, and the burden is on our backs, not his.

When it comes to the kids, and especially education, I am one of their biggest proponents even though my children attend private schools.  I believe that I was the only person who wrote about the inequity of New Haven selling the building to Amistad when it had given away another building to Planned Parenthood a few years earlier.  The existing school was never on the property tax list, but the building JDS gave away to PP came off the roles and we lost over $12,000 annually in tax revenue.  Additionally, a greater insult is that our federal and state tax dollars support PP so not only did we lose the tax revenue coming in, we now had a larger operation to subsidize when it took over most of the building it originally only rented space from.  No one else complained and, more importantly, no one else spoke up and supported my position.  You can’t keep giving away the store and expect your taxes to stay the same or go lower.

As far as tax cuts with no ideas, you are getting me confused with someone else.  The only cuts I want are from the waste and then the tax revenue collected will eventually lead to the elimination of the outstanding debt.  How about a twenty or thirty year tax freeze?  Not impossible if the waste is removed and never returned.

I have plenty of ideas and know that, unfortunately, there really aren’t too many people locally who would have the fortitude to implement the ones that are necessary and they probably would want the cover of a “committee” to take the onus off of them.  The Blue Ribbon panel really accomplished a lot with the town’s spending, didn’t it?  We see how well committees work by all the success they’re having down in the Gulf and shouldn’t expect much better up here when the issue is not life and death like it is down there.

posted by: Doyens on June 3, 2010  3:32pm

Sean M:

I have never asked for a tax cut. I have asked that taxes remain flat. I also have never asked that you improve services. Don’t touch the services except to cut and consolidate them. Get rid of the low performers, low demand and no results. The DeStefano Administration has made promises to the unions it can’t pay for in anybody’s lifetime - hundreds of millions of dollars on top of almost a billion in debt. As for schools, use the money you have and improve what you do. You just like DeStefano only think that improvement comes with more money. It doesn’t. Most of the time, it can come with a couple of buck and a lot more sweat. Excess revenues should be used to pay down debt which will free up more existing revenue. Open the union contracts and fix the pension and healthcare issues - they are unsustainable. All we ask, all we have ever asked, is for City Hall to use the same common sense we use at home and to tighten their belts when we do. Key words: Effective and efficient. Learn it. Live it.

posted by: blue dog dem on June 3, 2010  4:54pm

Question for Sean M:  Are you Sean Matteson and if so, will you be at Christies tonight?  Love to introduce myself to you if I can make it there.

posted by: cedarhillresident on June 3, 2010  5:57pm

hahaha…hey wait I want to meet you blue dog or have I already?

My favorite quote of the week
Effective and efficient. Learn it. Live it.

posted by: blue dog dem on June 3, 2010  6:15pm

CHR
I don’t believe so but it can be arranged.  I’ll be the guy with the vodka and olives complaining about no tax cuts .....

posted by: Sean M on June 3, 2010  6:15pm

Blue Dog -

I’m not Sean Matteson. I’m Sean Martin. I had to Google the other Sean to see who he was.

I grew up around here and moved back two years ago, from New York. Who is this Bloomberg person? I worked at Bloomberg, LLP - is it the same guy? None of us knew anything about taxation, economics, the city, or local politics - we’re all so liberal in finance.

I have no big love for DeStefano, but it’s odd that if you post anything on here that doesn’t take a whack at him, you’re immediately suspected of being a city employee or an associate of some kind.

Or even his chief of staff. I have no idea what I wrote that would lead you to that, aside from being insufficiently anti-DeStefano.

Anyway…

NYC has lots of ways to tax people. It also has a large geography (wide and high) to tax. I just don’t think it’s a very informative comparison to make, setting an NYC property and a New Haven property side-by-side. If you compare the purchase prices per sq ft, you could make the argument that New Haven is a bargain. The tax rates in CT seem roughly comparable with peer states and cities. And lots of cities need to reform their pension plans. So why act like New Haven is in this completely unique predicament, or that one mayor is to blame?

Pensions used to be pretty common in the U.S. It strikes me as misguided to blame unions for the fact that corporations have shortchanged their employees over the years.

And Doyens - seriously. You’re on the verge of thinking I’m the mayor himself. Who’s against efficiency? But then again, who runs a government (or their business) like a household? I have no idea what straw man you’re going after here.

posted by: Threefifths on June 3, 2010  9:17pm

posted by: Sean M on June 3, 2010 6:15pm

NYC has lots of ways to tax people. It also has a large geography (wide and high) to tax. I just don’t think it’s a very informative comparison to make, setting an NYC property and a New Haven property side-by-side. If you compare the purchase prices per sq ft, you could make the argument that New Haven is a bargain.

What planet are you from. This state is one of the most expense states to live in.Blue dog dem is right as far as NY taxes are lower than those in New Haven.I will show you the math on how New York is cheap to live than to live in New haven Or the state of conn. First New york has no car tax like this state does.Second check new york out for Retirement Living.

Guide to Taxes on Retirees, 2009–2010: New York Search Again

The Empire State offers very generous tax exemptions for retirees: It taxes neither Social Security benefits nor military, civil-service, New York State and local pensions. Also, qualified private pensions are exempt from state income taxes for taxpayers 59½ and older, up to $20,000; out-of-state government pensions are also entitled to the $20,000 exemption. Property taxes are limited to real estate. New York State law gives local governments and public-school districts the option to reduce the amount of property taxes paid by qualifying seniors 65 and older. Seniors can also take advantage of a partial exemption from school property taxes under the state’s School Tax Relief Program (STAR).

STATE SALES TAX
4% (food and prescription and nonprescription drugs exempt). Other taxing entities may add up to 5% in additional sales tax.

INCOME-TAX RANGE
4.0% – 8.97%

EXEMPTIONS FOR RETIREMENT INCOME
Social Security benefits and military, civil-service, and state- and local-government pensions are exempt. Up to $20,000 of qualified private pensions for those 59½ and older are also exempt. Out-of-state government pensions can be deducted as part of the $20,000 exemption.

PROPERTY TAXES
Property taxation is limited to real property. New York State law gives local governments and public-school districts the option of granting a reduction on the amount of property taxes paid by qualifying senior citizens. This is accomplished by reducing the assessed value of residential property owned by seniors by 50%. To qualify, seniors must be 65 or older and meet certain income limitations and other requirements. For the 50% exemption, the law allows each county, city, town, village or school district to set the maximum income limit at any figure between $3,000 and $24,000. Localities have the further option of granting an exemption of less than 50% to senior citizens whose incomes exceed the local income limit by less than $1,000 in three income ranges or $900 in six other income ranges. For example, in a community that has taken this “sliding scale” option and has adopted the $21,500 income maximum, an eligible resident whose income is more than $21,500 but less than $22,500 is entitled to a 45% exemption. If a person’s income is more than $29,000 but less than $32,400, the exemption is 5%.There is no general, statewide homestead property-tax exemption. However, a taxpayer’s primary residence may be partially exempt from school taxes under the state’s School Tax Relief (STAR) Program. Seniors can take advantage of this program that provides a partial exemption from school property taxes. All New Yorkers who own and live in their one-, two- or three-family home, condominium, cooperative apartment, manufactured home, or farm dwelling are eligible for a STAR exemption on their primary residence.

There are three parts to the STAR program:

The Basic STAR exemption is available for owner-occupied, primary residences regardless of the owners’ ages or incomes. Basic STAR works by exempting the first $30,000 of the full value of a home from school taxes.

The Middle Class STAR Rebate Program is an expanded property-tax-relief program that provides homeowners a benefit in the form of a property-tax rebate check. The program provides two types of rebates: (1) A Middle Class STAR rebate is available for homeowners who receive the basic STAR exemption on their property-tax bill. These homeowners must apply to receive this tax relief—the amount of the rebate is correlated to the homeowners’ income levels. The program provides benefits to taxpayers on a sliding scale based on income, with benefits declining as income exceeds $90,000 for upstate homeowners and $120,000 for homeowners in the higher-cost New York City metropolitan region. Taxpayers earning more than $250,000 are not eligible to receive a check. (2) A rebate also is available for homeowners who are 65 or older and receive an enhanced STAR exemption on their property-tax bills.

The Enhanced STAR exemption is available for the primary residences of senior citizens (age 65 and older) with yearly household incomes not exceeding the statewide standard. (The definition of “income” for this purpose is provided later in this pamphlet.) For qualifying senior citizens, the Enhanced STAR program works by exempting the first $50,000 of the full value of their home from school property taxes. For property owned by a husband and wife, or by siblings, only one of them must be at least 65 years old as of December 31 of the year in which the exemption will begin to qualify for the Enhanced exemption. Their combined annual income, however, must not exceed the STAR income standard.

INHERITANCE AND ESTATE TAXES
There is no inheritance tax. But for estate taxes, if the date of death is on or after January 1, 2004, the estate must file a New York State tax return if any one of the following conditions are met: (1) The decedent resided in New York State at the time of death and the total of the federal gross estate, federal taxable gifts and specific exemption exceeds $1 million. (2) The decedent did not reside in New York State at the time of death and the estate includes real or tangible personal property located in New York State, and the total of the federal gross estate, federal taxable gifts and specific exemption exceeds $1 million. (3) The decedent was neither a resident nor a citizen of the United States, the estate includes real or tangible personal property with a situs in New York State, and the estate is required to file a federal estate-tax return.

Check out your good old Connecticut.

Guide to Taxes on Retirees, 2009–2010: Connecticut Search Again

The Nutmeg State is a tax nightmare for many retirees. Its real estate taxes are among the highest in the nation, and it allows no exemptions or tax credits for pensions or other retirement income. Plus, the state taxes a portion of your Social Security benefits if you are single and your federal adjusted gross income is more than $50,000, or if you are married and your joint AGI is more than $60,000.

STATE SALES TAX
6% (food and prescription and non-prescription drugs exempt). But there are no local sales taxes.

INCOME-TAX RANGE
3% – 5%

EXEMPTIONS FOR RETIREMENT INCOME
Social Security is exempt for individual taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income of less than $50,000 and for married filing jointly taxpayers, with federal AGI below $60,000. All out-of-state government and federal civil service pensions are fully taxed. Connecticut exempts 50% of federally taxable military retirement pay from the state income tax. The exemption applies to federal retirement pay for members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Army and Air National Guard. Benefits received by a beneficiary under an option or election made by a retired member are also covered by this law.

PROPERTY TAXES
Taxes and real and personal property are assessed and collected by individual towns or other taxing districts. All assessments are at 70% of fair market value. An annual property tax credit or rent rebate is available to residents, age 65 or older, or to a surviving spouse of a previously approved applicant who is age 50 or older. Regardless of age, totally disabled persons are also eligible. Income parameters apply. Municipalities may provide additional tax relief for seniors.

INHERITANCE AND ESTATE TAXES
Connecticut imposes an estate tax which taxes the transfer of estates valued at $2 million or more at a progressive rate starting with 5 percent of the first $100,000 over the threshold and rising to 16 percent for the amount above $10 million.

Also somthing that New york has that Connecticut does not have and that is Rent control and rent stabilization

http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/faq/rentstab.html#difference

Also New york not like New Haven use is the Broken Windows Theory to fight crime.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1982/03/broken-windows/4465/

And last people in New york Stand up to King Bloomberg.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78_6T_HarE8

Here the People keep puting King John In office.

Hey Blue Dog Dem If you can get out,Sell you house and get your famliy out not. Because as soon as I can get a suck to buy mines I gone.

posted by: blue dog dem on June 3, 2010  11:41pm

CHR,

I stayed til 11pm looking to buy you a drink. Be back next TH if you really want to meet a BDD.

Sean M

It’s sad that Matteson actually can be googled as he is a non-entity except for fist bumping and making over $100k ...

I have a guy who delivers my inter-office mail that has a degree in finance, so I’m not sure what that really means or how it is relevant to this discussion.  If you tell me you create wealth or jobs, then I’ll be interested, but Bloomberg LLP has a lot of people, including janitors, and they aren’t relevant to economic discussions.  Don’t know too many people that worked for Bloomberg LLP and moved away to the great mecca of New Haven, so hat’s off to you for making the plunge. 

I don’t blame unions as they are my main clients as stated ad nauseum previously.  I do expect someone who runs on helping the middle class to actually do so (what a concept!?!).  The fact that I see waste all around comes from my managing money and not just being in “finance.”  I think when I leased my last car the guy who helped me also was in “finance” whatever that means.

And you’re wrong, btw, about putting New Haven and NYC properties side-by-side.  As someone who supposedly lived in NYC for a few years, you would realize that houses in NYC are actually smaller than those here, generally speaking, so square footage there are more expensive but when you include taxes and services, there is not much difference.  When you include education, the economics shift dramatically in favor of NYC over New Haven.  I assume that you rented there as opposed to owning, something that someone who grew up in a house owned by my father cannot relate. I’ve had rental apartments in NYC and square footage is similar to here. Therefore, per square foot, NYC is a better bargain not only tax-wise but also in services also.  Obviously costs are higher there, as who in their right mind would want to buy here if given the option there since services are not equal?

... My job is to create income so that UNION employees can keep their positions when the economy hits the fan.  I’ve never attacked you for not going after JDS, though your straw man is to fall back and claim that.  What Doyens wrote made me think that you were Matteson and not anything that you previously distorted. I frankly don’t care that you are not him, though I have seen him, Smuts and Egan drinking and laughing at Christy’s and was hoping that he would be there tonight.  ...

The mayor is to blame when he’s been in office for two decades and taken a surplus and made it a deficit.  Many cities have pension problems?  Who cares?  I don’t live in many cities, I live here and my main concern is the mismanaged money here, in New Haven.  Last, I’ve never blamed unions, so get rid of that straw man.  You’re very good at misdirection, but you haven’t answered anything that I previously posted.  I get tired of people who tell me what I mean when in black and white its there to dispute.  I’m still waiting for you to pull a quarter from my ear. 

I’m going to bed and then NYC tomorrow, so I’ll answer your response upon my return.  I can’t wait to hear what I’m blaming next.  Baby seals?  African orphans?  Must be something other than liberal mismanagement of our funds or those people in finance that are so brilliant that NYC had to let them leave so that they can distort other people’s positions.

posted by: anon on June 4, 2010  4:33am

Connecticut is a dense, urban state with beautiful towns and landscapes, and one of the most highly-educated populations of any state in the country. 

If it just upgraded its pathetic transportation system from a 19th century system to a 21st century system, it would have jobs aplenty.

Implement congestion pricing on roads, fix our cities’ broken parking policies, and require a solid 10% of state funding to go towards pedestrian, bike and transit improvement projects (instead of relying on Governor Rell to throw a couple million at those problems each year). 

For a state as wealthy and highly educated as Connecticut, it is absolutely pathetic that you can’t catch a bus on time or after hours on our busiest roads (Whalley, Route 1), can’t get from New Haven to Hartford to work unless you own a car, can’t ride a bike more than a few blocks without feeling like you are about to be run down, and can’t walk across more than a few streets without coming across a pedestrian death trap situation like Whitney and Audubon, or Route 34. 

And people wonder why there is no job growth. What company would set up shop in CT when there’s no decent infrastructure?

posted by: Bruce on June 4, 2010  10:14am

Let’s put this into perspective.  The government doesn’t ask for money—they take it away from you at the point of a gun.  And I mean that quite literally.  Try not paying your taxes and see what happens.  You will be forcibly dragged off to jail.

That said, taxes are necessary to an extent.  They should be used for services absolutely essential to the community.  Not for holiday decorations, concerts in the park, etc.  ALL of those things can be enjoyed without forcibly taking money from my pockets to fund them.

Anyone who doesn’t think CT and New Haven should decrease taxes dramatically is crazy.  We have among the highest in the nation (I believe CT is #3 and New Haven is #2 in CT).  Yet we do not enjoy spectacular benefits or services.  This discourages people from moving here and it discourages economic development.  Our local and state government should be taking drastic measures to cut waste and also reduce the burden on the taxpayer.

posted by: Sean M on June 4, 2010  10:38am

I thought only Hopkins was allowed to post 1000 word rebuttals to shout down other commenters.

Blue Dog - you really do get personal pretty quick. I wasn’t the one who first brought up “giving away the store” (your words) with regard to contracts or Bloomberg’s negotiations with the teachers. I can scroll down right now and see that you brought those things up, so I’m not sure how it’s something I invented.

I haven’t spent any time questioning your career or your work, or your credentials. I’m not sure why you think you have to question mine. I just don’t buy your New Haven - NYC comparison. The numbers don’t bear it out. Not everybody who disagrees with you is stupid. Your model just doesn’t make sense, but since you seem to think (or at least you write) by turning people and issues into caricatures, this is a worthless discussion.

If you made $100,000 in New Haven, you’d have to make $180,000 in New York to maintain the same material standard of living. That’s based on healthcare, groceries, utilities, transportation, etc. all being roughly 20% more, and lodging costs being about 200-240% more (in Manhattan, as a starting point, but jump quickly in certain neighborhoods).

If you think that the ratio of property value to property tax is a better way to make this comparison, nowhere is going to be as good a deal as New York. You should move to New York if that standard is so overwhelmingly powerful.

As another commenter noted, they have tax breaks for retirees (subsidized by working people) and no car tax. Which I guess is a real magnet for retired drivers.

And as we all know, New York’s state budget is in great shape, so it’s unlikely that any new taxes will ever be considered there (!?!)

posted by: blue dog dem on June 4, 2010  4:20pm

Sean M

Didn’t mean to be overly personal but a better part of a bottle of Grey Goose could lower the bar.  Apologies.  Nor do I consider you stupid nor others that disagree with me.  I’ve learned much from the postings here and that is why I continue to come back.  I only write something if I think I can offer anything, but usually read the site 4-5 times per week.

Housing costs—rent or own?  Rents are higher in NYC, but again, you get all of its services which you have to pay for ala carte here, so I’ll agree that they are slightly more but not to the extent you state if comparing the same kind of apartment.  You can’t compare a penthouse over Central Park to the top floor of a three family in Fair Haven.  The fact that there a more high end units in NYC surprises no one, but there are comparable units in the 5 boros to those found here and the costs aren’t that far off, just like the art deco building on Wall and Church is high end and the penthouse I believe sold for millions.

Housing prices are generally higher, but when offset by public schools and services and much lower taxes, in the long run the costs should break even.  It’s close to the weekend and I’m not one for researching stats like others, though I’m glad they do.  Based on housing appreciation and services, NYC housing is a much better investment than here.  There are no visible foreclosures in NYC and we have them here all the time.  When a house is foreclosed in NY it is on the market for less than a week, if at all.  There is demand.  There is no demand here, and won’t be, until the waste is removed and schools improved.

The fact that NYS is run by a bunch of liberals who have spent themselves into an almost insurmountable debt is unfortunate, especially in contrast to the job your former employer has done economically within the five boros.  The city’s only deficit is the amount typically funded by the state which as you know is not in proportion to the taxes collected from the residents living in the boros, similar to our PILOT problem.

The services offered in NYC, whether they have to be paid for (MTA subway or bus) or come free of charge by living there (garbage collection, police protection, etc.) are much better than what we have here.  The fact that almost all citizens can walk to the store of choice (food, laundry, bar, etc) as opposed to driving is something rare in New Haven, unless your down in the East Rock section of live close to downtown Westville, and both those areas offer limited selection of stores. 

Check the national scores for public schools in NYC and compare them to here, then check how each school is administered and see the waste here that doesn’t produce better results. 

I know a lot of people who live in NYC that don’t make $100k but they have their own houses and cars, so it must be doable working for a union in NYC and living the American dream.  Matter of fact, most of the people I know are 2 income families making between 100-120 combined and have one house, two cars and one or two kids living in four of the five boros. 

As you said, Manhattan is a different beast altogether.  I lived in the City for 18 years and still stay one or two nights a week in Stuy Town but don’t notice much difference in prices between there and here, though I’m sure that they are probably more.

All of this banter is still way off point of my original post, which was that New Haven is a poorly run city that has probably 30-40% waste in it’s budget and if removed would be much better off.  I agree with what Streever and Bruce wrote and only tried to further their positions based on personal info.  I countered your point re middle class and unions as I had mentioned being there when a great compromise was reached.  Saving thousands of jobs by giving up raises is the type of quid pro quo we need here.  If I was about to be laid off I would want my union leader to make the same choice.  I’m not saying that we need to break the unions or take money from their paychecks.  I am stating that there is much waste in the health and pensions that need to be addressed and the only way to remove JDS and the union from the table so that someone impartially can bring sanity to our situation is by Chapter 9.

With the weekend here and much to do, I really didn’t want to leave with bitter feelings towards someone or against me, so again apologies if I misread or misinterpreted what you posted.  As far as I’m concerned the matter is closed and we’ll agree to disagree as I think we are both locked into our respective opinions.

posted by: Threefifths on June 4, 2010  8:08pm

blue dog dem on June 4, 2010 4:20pm

Stick to your guns.New York Is ten times better and cost less to live then Connecticut.
look at night life in new york.Check out Carmine’s

http://www.carminesnyc.com/

How about Junior’s Most Fabulous Cheesecake and Desserts.

http://www.juniorscheesecake.com/

Check out Londel’s of Harlem

http://www.londelsrestaurant.com/home.htm

How about jazz spots in New York.

http://www.bigapplejazz.com/nycjazzclubs.html

How about sports parks like chelsea piers.

http://www.chelseapiers.com/

Or Washington Square Park, located in the heart of Greenwich Village

http://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/

And don’t let me start with central park and riverside drive. No way you will fint any of this in Connecticut.As I said I know people who live in apartments in new york who have three bed rooms and pay just seven hundred a month rent was gas and electric include in there rent because of the apartments being rent stabilization and Mitchell-Lama.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/apartment/mitchell-lama.shtml

And one more thing that New York Has that Connecticut don’t have and that is that bottle of Grey Goose that you talk about at least in new york I have up to Twelve midnight to make it to the Liquor Store to get the Grey Goose or a six pack seven days because the liquor stores in New York are open on sundays. But Here in Connecticut you will have a dry day if you don’t make it before 9:00 P.M.

posted by: blue dog dem on June 5, 2010  8:38am

Three-Fifths

Believe me he didn’t change my mind.  There is no place like NYC and, to me, is a much better value than New Haven or any place else in CT. I’m lucky to be there a couple days a week so I don’t miss it as much as my wife.

I definitely miss having liquor stores open on Sundays as a convenience.  Just another perk not available here.  Enjoy your weekend!

posted by: anon on June 6, 2010  12:51am

NYC public rent subsidies? Have you looked at how many young people and immigrants have access to those programs?

NYC is quite affordable if you don’t mind either living in a tiny, cockroach infested room, or spending half your life on the subway (or both, if you have the median household income, less than $50,000 per year). 

In return, New York does have a great nightlife, which incidentally may also be accessed via New Jersey Transit, Metro North, or the West Side Highway. As an added plus, you can get to Jones Beach from there, though only if you have a car and a $225,000 parking spot for it.

New York is also great if you want to spend half your life on a subway car and eventually get blown up in a terrorist attack.  There’s a good reason why, over the past 10 years, literally every single major corporation located there has established duplicate facilities and staff outside the city.

NYC has a few nice restaurants, though nothing as good as Le Petit Cafe in Branford, and also a few decent pizza places.

posted by: Threefifths on June 6, 2010  5:13pm

posted by: anon on June 6, 2010 12:51am

NYC public rent subsidies? Have you looked at
how many young people and immigrants have access to those programs?

Who said that they don’t have access to those programs.

Lists of City-sponsored Affordable Homes
HPD has developed several programs that enable New York’s families to purchase newly constructed or newly renovated homes and/or apartments. City subsidies and other financing tools are used to make these homes affordable to low-, moderate-, and middle-income families.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/buyers/lotteries.shtml#lists

And they have access to apartments.

With some of the lowest vacancy rates in the nation, New York City’s apartment rental market remains extremely tight. It can take persistence to find a new apartment within your budget. With this in mind, we have compiled lists of City-sponsored apartments that are currently accepting applications and a number of links to Internet sites to assist tenants in their search. This site is not intended to be comprehensive, but we hope that you will find the information presented here useful as a starting point for finding affordable housing

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/downloads/pdf/146th-west-Street-Cluster.pdf

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/downloads/pdf/Ellington on the Park 3-23-10.pdf

And you can find housing for Seniors. The Department for the Aging (DFTA) provides a comprehensive online listing of senior housing operating within the five boroughs. The information can be viewed by borough or by entering a zip code for the desired area.

The Department for the Aging (DFTA) provides a comprehensive online listing of senior housing operating within the five boroughs. The information can be viewed by borough or by entering a zip code for the desired area.

NYC is quite affordable if you don’t mind either living in a tiny, cockroach infested room, or spending half your life on the subway (or both, if you have the median household income, less than $50,000 per year). 

Not true. Check out these brand new apartments for median household income, less than $50,000 per year.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/downloads/pdf/Las Casas - Luna and Estrella.pdf

And you have Rat and cockroach infested rooms here.

http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/featured-news/foreclosures-new-haven-painting-the-town-red-apple-management

http://bedbugger.com/2008/09/17/bella-vista-residents-in-new-haven-are-getting-bed-bug-k9-inspections/

In return, New York does have a great nightlife, which incidentally may also be accessed via New Jersey Transit, Metro North, or the West Side Highway. As an added plus, you can get to Jones Beach from there, though only if you have a car and a $225,000 parking spot for it.

The good thing about New york Is that you have the five five boroughs that you can pick to live in.In fact More people are live in Brooklyn because it is cheap to park and there are more parking space on the streets.And also new york has 24r transit system.Connecticut does not.As far as paying parking for you car, most people who live in Manhattan take the train or bus or take a taxicab and get there grocery by Delivery Service.

New York is also great if you want to spend half your life on a subway car and eventually get blown up in a terrorist attack.  There’s a good reason why, over the past 10 years, literally every single major corporation located there has established duplicate facilities and staff outside the city.

And we can thank the state of Connecticut for sending the car bomber terrorist to blown up Times Square.

http://dnainfo.com/20100504/manhattan/faisal-shahzad-claimed-work-on-wall-street-instead-he-lost-home-foreclosure

I wonder how many terrorist got this hook up from here in Connecticut.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9505EEDD103FF932A15752C1A9629C8B63&sec;=&spon;=&pagewanted=all 

NYC has a few nice restaurants, though nothing as good as Le Petit Cafe in Branford, and also a few decent pizza places.

Le Petit Cafe in Branford can touch Rao.

http://www.raos.com/raos-restaurant-new-york.aspx

Le petit cafe can touch city Island ARTIE’S STEAK & SEAFOOD

http://artiesofcityisland.com/

Also did you know that Frank Pepe open its fifth outpost smack in the middle of Central Park Avenue in Yonkers New York and I hear That It taste better there they here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/nyregion/17dinewe.html

I will say it over and over New York has more thing that you can do and is still cheap to live in then here in Connecticut.

P.S. I forgot New York has the best Vegetarian-Restaurants.

http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/Newsletter/NewYorkCity.htm

posted by: blue dog dem on June 6, 2010  7:24pm

Threefifths

DAMN!  I thought I was pro-NYC but I’ve got to take second place to you.  I wasn’t going to respond but am glad you did.  The fumes in the burbs must cause dementia ....