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Legislature Doesn’t Act, Segarra Loses $8 Million Bet

By Jeff Cohen

May 10, 2012

We’ll have much more on this on the air later today. For now, here’s the statement of Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra on the bind in which he finds himself.

Any guesses as to whom the last line refers?

PEDRO E. SEGARRA

MAYOR

MAYOR SEGARRA ON NON-PASSAGE

OF A TAX BILL

— NEWS AND COMMUNITY STATEMENT—

(May 10, 2012) — Mayor Segarra issued the following statement following the adjournment of the legislative session and the non-passage of a critical bill that would have allowed the City of Hartford to generate an additional $8 million dollars in revenue:

“The result tonight is a reckless disregard for the residents and business owners of the City of Hartford. After months of meetings, proposals and conversations – and six days of continuous discussions with all stakeholders – the entire legislative delegation finally came together to support House Bill 5156 (LCO Amendment 5565). It was not a perfect bill, but it would have made essential technical corrections to Public Act 11-212 and allowed the City the ability to generate the additional revenue that was assured 3 weeks ago when a previous compromise was struck and my recommended budget was due. The continual back-and-forth, the brinksmanship, the willingness by some to kill a bill or concept simply because it wasn’t 100% of what they desired will only end up hurting residents and business owners.

While I am angry that an important action was blocked, I have already taken necessary steps to begin addressing what will be a significant revenue shortfall. Earlier this week I met with my finance team and began reviewing the most recent data, assumptions and projections available to see where modifications could be made with confidence and without causing unnecessary pain. However, this is a significant hole and I stand ready and prepared to make what may well be hard decisions; decisions that will be severe, noticeable and may impact the delivery of important services.

While other possibilities still exist, such as a request to include this issue in any call for a special session by Governor Malloy, tonight marks a very disappointing low in my tenure as Mayor. And to be clear, this is not because of the inability of the legislative delegation to come together for the benefit of Connecticut’s Capital City, it is because of disingenuous motives and an inexplicable unwillingness to compromise by those who would benefit from this bill the most.”