Residents: Tax Hike Will Make Tough Times Worse
The average Hartford homeowner would pay nearly $400 more a year under the proposed budget.
Hyacinth Yennie has run Donchian Rug Cleaners in Hartford for 30 years and times are tough.
"It's the worst I've seen it, the worst," said Yennie.
She says a proposed property tax increase could force her to close up shop.
"That is going to hurt us awful," Yennie said. "The fact is that we are suffering already with the economy this bad, a lot of people have lost their job, a lot of people are not spending money anymore."
But Hartford home and business owners would be paying more under the city's proposed budget.
The 8.3% increase would amount to about $378 more a year for the average homeowner and some could pay even more.
"A lot of people laid off live in Hartford and if you're laid off and live in Hartford how are you going to afford to pay your taxes?" said David Ionno of Hartford. "It's like cutting your own throat when they do things like that."
Ionno was one of several people who spoke out about the property tax increase at a budget hearing before the City Council Tuesday night.
At nearly $550 million dollars, the proposed budget is the same as last year.
But with less state aid expected, Mayor Eddie Perez says the property tax increase is necessary to make up the difference so essential services like education and police aren't cut.
"If the state was meeting its obligation for education and pay in lieu taxes to the pilot program, this budget would be a lot different," Mayor Perez said before the budget hearing.
Mayor Perez said the property tax increase could be smaller, if municipal unions agree to concessions.
The unions have joined together and formed the Hartford Public Services Coalition. The coalition says it is in talks with the city and has proposed creative solutions, that don't involve a property tax increase.
"We don't want that to happen either," said Elizabeth Kavanah, a spokesperson for the Coalition. "We want to work together with all factions to try to stop the bleeding."
Posted Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 - 10:29 PM EST
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