The Stakes in Connecticut

As we come down to the wire in the election season, it is worth looking closely at the race for governor between Democrat Dan Malloy and Republican Tom Foley. While there are numerous differences between the two candidates, the most important one by far comes on the issues of spending and taxes. Malloy has a track record of raising taxes and spending while mayor of Stamford. He currently talks about holding down spending and limiting the rise of taxes, but he speaks mainly in generalities on the subject. His few specifics -- like reducing the number of agencies that report to the governor -- do not explain how costs would be reduced. For example, if ten departments are merged into eight, there may be no cost reduction unless redundant workers are eliminated. Malloy, however, has made clear that he has no intention of reducing state employment, so there will be no reduction in spending. Foley has never held public office, but he has a record in private industry of knowing how to reduce costs effectively. He also has a plan to reduce spending by $2 billion per year which provides reasonable detail as to how it will be done.

On taxes, Foley has been crystal clear: there will be no new taxes or tax increases. Malloy has not made such a pledge and has indicated that the income tax could rise to 8%, a statement that he quickly took back when he saw the reaction.

Malloy has also made commitments to the state employee unions that he will not reduce their salaries or benefits; that is a commitment that Foley has not been willing to make. Since labor costs are the single biggest component of the state budget, Malloy has already given away one of his biggest potential tools for reducing spending.

The choise comes down to this: If you want to see this state be competative so that it can restore jobs through the expansion of the economy, you need to vote for Foley. If you want to keep taxes from rising, you need to vote for Foley. If you want to see the runaway spending by the state brought under control, you need to vote for Foley. On the other hand, if you want to see business as usual continue unchanged in hartford, you should vote for Malloy.