TO: Nick Carroll- News Editor, RJ Weeklies
FROM: Lou Arata
DATE: April 18, 2020
RE: Don’t Be a Hypocrite
Gov. Lamont likes to follow the lead of the Governors of surrounding state’s and he should keep his stripes and suspend the $353 Million-dollar SEBAC 5.5% pay increase for state employees, effective July 1, 2020.
For all tax payers and an already overburdened economy, in my opinion, we must provide some financial relief to the frustration and anxiety caused by layoffs and pay cuts to 1-in-7 workers. That figure may even get worse in the coming weeks.
Gov. Lamont has had no problem using broad strokes of his pen to contract law interpretation via his Executive Order No. 7X, extending COVID-19 restrictions of all kinds through May 20, 2020.
Connecticut still hasn’t fully overcome the fiscal losses sustained in the 2008-2009 Great Recession and fiscal uncertainty remains at our doorstep. I urge elected officials to Hartford, as I hope all who read this will do, that they collectively do the right, prudent and responsible thing for ALL citizens of Connecticut- suspend the pay increases. The argument isn’t whether increases are justified or not- it’s the timing and the State simply can’t afford them.
I further strongly suggest suspending HB 5004, the $1/hour increase, effective September 1, 2020 to the minimum wage. On October 1, 2019 a $1/hour increase brought our current minimum wage to $11 per hour. It’s certain that small businesses will have an uphill climb once they are allowed to open back up and this mandated payroll increase will likely put many permanently out of business.
The State of Connecticut fiscal picture is far worse now than when Gov. Lamont touted the “debt diet” after he took office. Be fair to tax payers and present real Leadership by holding the line on spending until such time all of us can begin, again, making financial contributions to our communities.