"I will accept such criticisms ... for that is part of the price of leadership." (2/7/2007 - M. Jodi Rell)

Mixed opinions are floating around the state of Connecticut this morning as many saw on the news last night or read articles in the papers this morning that Governor Rell has opted to hike up the income tax here in CT. On Wednesday she addressed CT's budget, "offering to raise taxes and exceed the state spending cap for a massive infusion of $3.4 billion to Connecticut schools over five years."

Questions that infused my mind were, "Where is the money going to go?" "Why is it that states who have no income tax have a much better economy opposed to those states who have income taxes?" "Will more and more residents be driven out of the state of Connecticut because of this?" "HOW WILL THIS EFFECT DANBURY?"

This morning I read the 11 page text of Gov. Rell's budget address to the General Assembly (available on NewsTimes.com) and a majority of my questions were answered; taken directly from the speech.

• Education
• "It will save in terms of prisons we will not have to build, lower teen pregnancy rates, reduced high school drop out rates and more."
• "For years we have talked about a 50/50 cost sharing for education between the state and its municipalities - this budget gets it done."
• "Every town will benefit. For instance, by year 5 of my program, Bridgeport will be receiving 85 million dollars more a year for education. Danbury will be receiving 28 million dollars more. West Hartford will be getting 22 million dollars more."
• "A high school graduation exam will be put into place."
• "This investment will result in an additional 14,000 students receiving scholarships and aid."

• Health Care
• "But at any given point in time, about 220,000 people are without insurance. In December, I proposed the Charter Oak Health Plan and enhancements to the HUSKY program to make sure that every adult and child in Connecticut has access to health insurance."
• "Over the past thirty months, nearly 2,800 newborns were identified as having no insurance coverage. That number should be zero."

• Reasonable Development
• "increases grants to regional planning agencies"
• "Proposes 245 million dollars in bonds per year for clean water projects, along with $20 million to secure open space for the future"
• "provides 1.6 million dollars for enhanced global positioning information to help towns make informed land use decisions."

• Energy
• "immediate cost reductions"
• "energy efficiency"
• "making us a leader in alternative and renewable energy"
• "better coordination and integration of energy policy and planning."

• Final Comments

• "Education. Energy. Health care. Responsible growth. Four issues that all speak to the need for generational investment. These issues shape the quality of life we are able to provide for ourselves and our children.

  It’s time to honor our commitments. It’s time to show real leadership. It’s time to get it done.

  Thank you and God Bless the Great State of Connecticut." - M. Jodi Rell