A CT “Commuter Tax”?

I have attached an excerpt from Chris Powell’s recent Journal Inquirer column. 

Tell me what you think!

Please send me your comments at [email protected] and include your name and town – thank you!

COMMUTERS ALREADY PAY:

By Chris Powell

Fending off a call from the state Senate’s Republican leader, Len Fasano of North Haven, for an audit of New Haven city government, Mayor Toni Harp last week only confirmed that an audit might be useful.

Harp, a Democrat, suggested that Fasano, who represents suburban towns, has no business questioning city government’s operations.

But the mayor added that she would consider an audit if Fasano supported imposing a 2 percent tax on the incomes of suburban residents who work in the city and use its infrastructure.

Harp’s dodge was pathetic.

For state government already reimburses New Haven and other cities up to half their budgets, and most of this reimbursement is drawn from income taxes on suburban residents.

Most suburbs don’t receive anything close to such financial support from state government.

So suburbanites already are paying what is in effect a commuter tax.

That’s why even though they don’t always realize it, suburban residents have a powerful interest in the efficiency and integrity of city government throughout the state.

Resenting that interest, Mayor Harp has dared state taxpayers to reduce their subsidy to New Haven until her attitude and accountability improve.