CCM announces wish list for 2009

I'm in Hartford today for a Connecticut Conference of Municipalities press conference. Municipal officials (local mayors and first selectmen) represented the organization, relaying CCM's priorities for 2009 to the media.

The group doesn't want their funding reduced, but they are pushing for regionalization and want to have the power to levy regional taxes. Speaking of taxes, they also want to raise the state sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent, hoping to gain money for municipalities from the increase.

CCM says revenue is not keeping pace with costs, and something needs to be done. Those are two of the solutions the organization is proposing.

Let's take a look at the tax issue first. They want to have a regional tax on sales, hotels, etc., and they want to increase the sales tax. They say taxpayers can handle it as long as the money is used properly. Taxpayers don't want false promises from state government, they said.

As taxpayers, could you deal with a sales tax hike? Any travelers out there want to comment on a regional hotel tax? Are there are any tax increases you would favor?

Moving on to this whole regionalization idea. Regional cooperation could be good. These local leaders say it will cut down on costs if a good system is in place, but I do have to wonder if egos and tradition will get in the way. Afterall, politics is politics. Unfortunately, saying you will work together and actually working together are sometimes two different things.

Anyway, I'm certain this is not the last we will hear from our municipal leaders. The legislative session starts Wednesday, and the state budget is high priority. Local leaders will want to make their thoughts known as state lawmakers grapple with projected state budget deficits.