Stefanowski’s recovery plan will work

Connecticut is in serious trouble, but it’s not too late to create a better future. Our last governor has already left the state and our current governor recently announced that he is taking a job out of state when he leaves office.

They are just two examples of the increasing number of people who are leaving Connecticut to retire or obtain jobs due to failed state economic and fiscal policies.

Shockingly, Connecticut faces a $4.6 billion budget deficit over the next two fiscal years.

This despite the fact that Governor Malloy proposed and the Democrat-controlled legislature passed two of the largest tax increases in state history during the past eight years. It’s time to change course. Bob Stefanowski rightfully recognizes that our state faces a real crisis.

He has promised to declare a “Fiscal State of Emergency,” and he recently released a five-step fiscal framework to balance the budget and provide room for the tax cuts that have been a centerpiece of his campaign. Those five steps are:

1. Rightsize — Connecticut has too many government entities, too many layers of management, too many outdated practices, and too much outdated technology.

State government also engages in many activities that can be performed in a more economical, efficient, and effective manner by non-profits and the private sector.

Bob will take the necessary steps to rationalize the size and scope of state government.

He will also take steps to rationalize existing state owned properties.

2. Reprioritize — Connecticut needs to build a budget from the ground up.

“Mandatory” spending continues to grow and now consumes more than half of the budget.

This is unacceptable and unsustainable.

Bob will adopt zero-based and performance-oriented budgeting practices to help improve performance, reduce costs and reprioritize state spending.

3.Restructure — Connecticut has more than $100 billion in state debt and unfunded pension and retiree health care obligations.

Connecticut’s current retirement plans are “at risk” due to years of irresponsible actions by career politicians and labor leaders.

Connecticut state retirement plans need to be competitive and affordable while ensuring that, after the needed restructuring, the state will deliver on what it promises.

Bob will restructure current state pension and health care plans in a fair, equitable and sustainable manner in order to help save the state, enhance retirement security and restore fiscal sanity.

4. Reform — Connecticut’s current welfare programs are very generous and subject to significant fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement.

Bob will modernize our state

Connecticut has too many government entities, too many layers of management, too many outdated practices, and too much outdated technology.

welfare systems while maintaining a solid social safety net for those truly in need.

He will vigorously pursue federal funding options to make sure that Connecticut obtains its fair share.

He will also develop clearly defined, consistently applied, and transparent criteria for providing fair and reliable educational assistance to municipalities.

5. Revitalize — At least four of Connecticut’s largest cities face serious financial and competitiveness challenges.

A strong Connecticut economy requires attractive and competitive cities that effectively address socio-economic and racial barriers.

Bob will pursue federal opportunity zones and alternative ways for cities to restructure municipal finances and reduce their property tax burdens.

By taking the above steps, Connecticut can save billions in the annual spending and significantly reduce unfunded retirement obligations.

This will enable us to balance the budget, provide much needed tax relief and invest in our future.

As governor, Bob will lead an effort to turn around Connecticut.

However, he will need a supportive legislature and a topflight cabinet to help save our state from further decline.

This election represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to elect people who will change Connecticut’s steady and bad habit of taxing and spending its way into economic weakness and fiscal unsustainability.

It’s important. Please vote