Cut State Spending or Increase State Revenue?

A forum Thursday sponsored by a state merchants association saw a panel of legislators chime in on a gloomy budget prognosis issued by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, and business owners who attended saw two different philosophies on how to address the crisis. While Democrats Chris Donovan and Don Williams talked about leaving all options open, Rep. Larry Cafero and Sen. Len Fasano were more pointed in their answers: Rather than foraging for new sources of revenue such as increasing taxes or creating new fees and fines for Connecticut businesses, legislators should consider spending cuts. “The debate has to be about spending, not revenue,” said Cafero, R-Norwalk. Roughly two dozen people were at the session, put on by the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association. State spending was a concern for several people in the audience, who questioned why legislators don’t run the state like a business. Discussion topics included early retirement for some state employees, eliminating the state’s sales tax and easing taxes and regulations on businesses. Spending, though, came up repeatedly. Both Cafero and Fasano, R-North Haven, talked about duplication of services in agencies.