Don’t drive seniors away

I worked at a wonderful public high school for decades dealing with parents’ most precious commodities — their adolescent children — and all the twisted concepts circulating around the paths for a successful transition out of high school.

Sometimes in a conference with I had to draw them back from a concept they should have never arrived at. I’d say: “You’re getting so far out on the lily pads you’ll never find your way back.”

I had the same reaction to “Senior tax breaks could widen the state’s wealth gap,” by Keith Phaneuf, who quotes a UConn economics professor about Connecticut’s sevenyear program to ease the tax burden on the elderly, with much of the relief targeted at seniors with pensions and annuities.

Senate Majority Leader Len Fasano said, “If they’re staying here, they’re buying groceries here, going to stores here and paying taxes here.” Yeah, Len!

Fred Carstensen the economist contends, “You don’t move to Florida just because you’re going to pay somewhat less in state taxes down there.” Really? I have three senior couple friends who I consider millionaires who have done just that after these hard workers retired. “The legislators addressed an issue many officials fear: the exodus of Connecticut retirees,” the article mentions. “Right on,” to quote my generation’s ability to use a limited vocabulary to get a point across.

The article goes on to discuss Social Security, pensions and family earning limits on incomes that qualify for deductions in years to come. It further notes: “retirees presumably don’t worry about business and their children are likely grown and independent.” Also the article states: “migration out of Connecticut ... accelerated following major tax hikes in 2011 and 2015,” not to mention the $10,000 deduction limit now on federal income taxes for their expensive property taxes that support this state.

And by the way, these retired folks built this state, and for decades paid taxes to the state of Connecticut.

Also, Connecticut seems incapable of keeping young folk. Do you really think that “senior tax breaks could widen the wealth gap” should even be recognized as a concept or counterbalance to helping the most productive residents ever here to stay here?

Mr. Economist: Please, get off the lily pads. Or maybe I should, before I can’t get back. If I take my pension dollars to another state, it won’t take my money and sadly Connecticut won’t get it either.

The draw is big. I can lease two brand new vehicles forever for my wife and I and pay state taxes elsewhere for less than my property taxes in Connecticut alone.

Your theories are in trouble if I conclude that we need two new cars in the family, and we can get them “free” forever simply by not living in Connecticut.