"Hartford is feeling the pain on Main Street and in our neighborhoods," Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez said in his State of the City address to city leaders Monday.
He gave a realistic view of what the Capital City is facing: a financial crisis with less money coming in, but the needs of residents growing.
"This is an agenda that says we can pull together as a community. If we do that for the next two years and weather the storm, we'll be better for it," said Mayor Perez.
The Mayor's proposal includes moving forward in areas Hartford has already improved. Crime is at its lowest level in 43 years and students are showing significant improvement.
Creating jobs is another initiative for Mayor Perez. He wants to invest $1.7 million dollars into the Hartford Arts community and to accelerate city construction projects.
"Right now you can get your best bang for your buck, labor is relatively inexpensive, it always has been. And right now products are at your best price," said Martin Alvarenga, a representative for the Local 43 Carpenters Union.
Mayor Perez said there's no way to avoid a small tax increase. He's proposing a temporary half-mill increase. But some wonder how he can talk taxes and creating jobs when others in the city are losing theirs.
"It doesn't make sense to talk about jobs in the city and stimulus at the same time they're laying off teachers and city workers, in public works and so on. Especially because these people are taxpayers and have homes of their own," said City Councilor Dr. Larry Deutsch.
Mayor Perez is expected to announce his proposed city budget in about six weeks. The budget depends on how much money Hartford will receive from the state.
