A New Day and a New Tax

The legislature in Connecticut is considering imposing a "digital download" tax. It would require anyone who downloads music, videos, or even a cell phone app to pay 6.35% to the state. It was truly all that was missing in Connecticut.

Connecticut has always had high taxes; it is just a fact of life here. That is probably the main reason why Connecticut is one of only three states that did not creat a single net job in the 21st century. That's right, eleven full years completed and not one net new job in the state. It is a sorry record of failure.

So, what is the answer of Governor Malloy and the Democrats in the legislature? You got it! More taxes! Do you buy tunes at I-Tunes? Do you subscribe to Netflix and watch old films? Do you own a smartphone and buy apps for it? If so, you will soon pay more for each of these items.

I would not mind the taxes as much if the state services were improving. But, the truth is that services have not improved even one bit since Malloy took office. Going to the DMV is still akin to visiting the ninth circle of hell. The roads still have potholes. The bridges do not seem in any better shape. The commuter railroads keep raising ticket prices to the point that it now costs $22.50 just for one round trip at rush hour from my town to New York. When I moved here in the 1980's it cost about $147 to get unlimited rides for a month.

Wouldn't it be nice if the state government would think about ways to save money rather than ways to squeeze more money out of the people of this state? It will never happen with this governor and legislature, but one can always dream.