Looks like Connecticut's own "Ministry of Truth" is at it again.
This time, Ned Lamont's allies at the Journal Inquirer (as well as the CT Mirror) want you to believe that the state's economy is in great shape. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
The Inquirer even goes so far as to praise the governor on this issue. In a recent article, the publication stated that Lamont's first campaign ad "accurately portrays the state’s rapid turn from scary deficits to fat surpluses" (1).
Um....excuse me?
Allow me to break down the arguments at issue.
Lamont supporters point to the passage of a six hundred and sixty dollar "aid package" as evidence of a surplus in state funds. What they fail to realize is that this does not meet the definition of a "tax cut". Rather, it's more like a relief package; the General Assembly is attempting to alleviate (see definitions) certain emergency conditions that the COVID pandemic caused (3).
Certainly, this package intends to make things a bit easier for Connecticut residents, at least financially speaking. Nevertheless, most of the monies included in the plan are federal funds; in this case, dollars that have been earmarked for disaster relief. They come from Washington, not Hartford (4).
Thus, the statement that Lamont has cut taxes is misleading at best.
And what, exactly, is the definition of a "cut" in taxes? In this case, it is to remove or reduce a monetary charge or fee.
Therefore, in order to have "cut taxes", Governor Lamont must have reduced or eliminated most state taxes. Instead of doing this, the governor and the Democratic majority decided to add new fees, and raise many taxes from their already sky-high levels.
Some of the new taxes passed in 2019-2020:
- An increase in sales tax, as applied to the purchase of meals.
- A tax on digital downloads and internet usage.
- A two percent tax on capital gains.
- A tax on the purchase of alcohol.
- A tax on real estate services, as well as the services of agents and brokers.
- A hotel occupancy tax.
- A tax on dry cleaning and laundry services.
- Many more taxes not listed here (5).
- An increase in sales tax, as applied to the purchase of meals.
- A tax on digital downloads and internet usage.
- A two percent tax on capital gains.
- A tax on the purchase of alcohol.
- A tax on real estate services, as well as the services of agents and brokers.
- A hotel occupancy tax.
- A tax on dry cleaning and laundry services.
- Many more taxes not listed here (5).
The praise of the mainstream press notwithstanding, Connecticut is in very bad shape financially. Fiscally speaking, the health of our state's economy ranks fiftieth among all fifty states (6).
Let me say that again.
When it comes to economic conditions, Connecticut is absolute last; the worst state in the nation. In this, we are an abject failure; no amount of Lamont spin can refute this fact.
Now, I wouldn't assume that the staff of the Inquirer and Mirror believe this failure to be acceptable. So why are they covering for the shoddy condition of the state's economy? And why are they being apologists for "King Ned"?
This whole thing doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Perhaps, in reply, someone from the publications could explain themselves.
Definitions -
Alleviate: Verb, to make something more bearable.
Monies: Noun, plural form of money.
Earmarked: Verb, designated for a specific use or owner.
Abject: Adjective, sunk to (or existing in) a low state or condition (7).
Sources:
1. Pazniokas, Mark, and Keith M. Phaneuf. “Lamont’s First Ad: Accurate on Fiscal Turnaround, Less so on Taxes.” Journal Inquirer, 31 Mar. 2022, www.journalinquirer.com/news/lamont-s-first-ad-accurate-on-fiscal-turnaround-less-so-on-taxes/article_bdccdcf2-b0f2-11ec-ab59-d3a7077059ea.html. Accessed 17 May 2022.
2. YouTube User "Alexander Smith". WWE Roman reigns what did he say?. 24 Sept. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?t=4&v=sr2_6z5w4Fc&feature=youtu.be. Accessed 17 May 2022.
3. “Alleviate.” The Merriam-Webster.Com Dictionary, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alleviate. Accessed 17 May 2022.
4. Phaneuf, Keith. “Did Ned Lamont Offer the Largest Tax Cut in CT History? By One Standard, Yes.” CT Mirror, 14 May 2022, ctmirror.org/2022/05/13/did-ned-lamont-offer-the-largest-tax-cut-in-ct-history-by-one-standard-yes. Accessed 17 May 2022.
5. Wilson, David. “A Complete List of New...” State Representative David Wilson, 3 May 2019, www.cthousegop.com/wilson/a-complete-list-of-new-taxes. Accessed 17 May 2022.
6. Truth In Accounting. “Connecticut Received ‘F’ for Fiscal Health.” Across Connecticut, CT Patch, 28 Sept. 2021, patch.com/connecticut/across-ct/connecticut-received-f-fiscal-health. Accessed 17 May 2022.
7. The Merriam-Webster.Com Dictionary, www.merriam-webster.com. Accessed 17 May 2022.
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