Dear Editor,
As pointed out by First Selectman Rooney in his letter to the Board of Finance, budgets are driven by data and metrics. As is typically the case during this time of year, the data and metrics shift from when we first start this process, to when the budget gets sent out to be voted on.
As pointed out in the first selectman’s letter to the Board of Finance, we have a real opportunity to see what direction our town wants or needs to head in for the future. I would encourage everyone to make their voices heard on May 5th, a strong turnout would allow everyone to have an accurate sense of what that direction should or will be.
This year’s budget process has also exposed the State’s role of the issues they have helped to create. This point has been made by towns and cities alike, as evidence in nearly all media outlets who are covering this story. All of us need to continue to exert constant pressure on this present State’s Administration in order to effect the necessary and positive funding changes our towns and cities need.
I have been impressed by the level of engagement by all of the stakeholders involved in this year’s budget process. It was special to witness.
Vote Tuesday, May 5th!
Best Regards,
Sean O’Rourke
Republican/Former RTC Chair/Current Town Council Member
Hey Sean, How about restore the Education Budget to its original number and then let the town vote on it. Instead of the crooked way it’s done now where it’s put to a vote by the town only after it’s slashed and then having the FS dangle it in front of the town for voting like some kind of Peace Offering.
The way I see it Voting goes two ways, You are going to have Parents make a choice about the current cuts and will vote yes to the budget because they don’t want to see it gutted even further, or you have the ones who vote no because they want the budget restored, but don’t get it because the No just triggers more cuts.
This is a win/win for the Anti-Education people and a Lose/lose for the future of the town and the children in our current school system.
Best Regards
Ben Sabia.
Yes, state funding should be better. So should federal funding that originally promised 40 percent of special education costs to the states and currently funds about 5 percent. However, Monroe’s challenges aren’t new, and they aren’t sudden. They’re the result of years of local budget decisions, prioritization choices, and long-term planning issues. You can’t attribute structural, multi-year problems to annual state aid fluctuations. Every town in Connecticut operates under the same mandates and funding structure. The difference comes down to how well those realities are anticipated and handled at the local level.
Hartford didn’t create Monroe’s budget gaps, it exposed them.
I’m a fan of starting closer to home when it comes to fiscal management and how our taxes are used. However, if you want to move outwards in the process, then let’s not forget the National level and how it’s failing our children, teachers, and educational support staff in the process.
Most of my career has been in Education. I’m watching colleges and universities engage in massive layoffs, cutting retirement contributions, and more because of irresponsible leadership with unforeseen consequences.
It feels like some nightmare in which tax payers and voters are caught in the middle between local, state, and national policies that are wildly out of control.
I don’t know how or if we can fix all of it, but I know that it starts by holding our elected officials accountable to “the will of the people.”
Last night at the Finance meeting, and in recent weeks through other meetings and via media and petitions, I think Monroe residents are making it clear where our priorities are.
It’s my hope that all of our elected representatives are listening carefully to what we are saying.
The Republican Party has run on the platform of supporting local governance to best represent local residents. The residents have spoken. We look forward to seeing how well our leadership is listening.