Date: Fri 19-Mar-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Rosenthal-state-aid

Full Text:

Rosenthal Makes A Plea For More State Aid

BY STEVE BIGHAM

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal traveled to Hartford Wednesday, hoping that he

might pursuade state lawmakers to give Newtown its fair share of state aid.

Gov John Rowland's proposed budget for 1999-2000 hit rock bottom when it came

to state funding for Newtown and its surrounding communities. The figures were

alarming to town leaders and municipal agencies, as well as state legislators.

Many of these legislators had indicated they would be receptive to hearing the

concerns of the community leaders.

Knowing full well that this proposed budget can still be re-opened, Mr

Rosenthal drove up Interstate 84 to make sure that it was. He joined Monroe

First Selectman Karen Burnaska, who has spearheaded the drive to bring more

state aid into the area.

In Newtown, state aid for education has dropped from 24 percent of the school

board's budget in 1991 to 12 percent this year. Under the governor's proposed

budget, the town will lose another $80,000 next year, lowering the percentage

to under 11 percent.

"I tried to explain that even if the state held us to the same amount of aid,

we'd be losing money because the school system has a projected 5.6 percent

enrollment increase," Mr Rosenthal said. "But we're actually losing money."

The effect of Mr Rowland's budget is simple, Mr Rosenthal said, it will

increase the burden on local taxpayers. The bigger cities are getting more and

more money, he said.

Under the proposed state budget, Newtown will lose $398,000 in Payments in

Lieu of Taxes (Pilot) money. This is money the town receives for being home to

its state facilities, including the Garner Correctional Facility and Fairfield

Hills. Newtown received $1.6 million in the current year.

This year, Newtown will receive $213,000 from the state's tobacco lawsuit

victories. However, as Mr Rosenthal stated, everyone is getting that. That's a

different pot of money, he said.

The municipalities of Bethel, Brookfield, New Fairfield, Danbury and Trumbull

have also indicated concern over the decrease in state aid. However, those

first selectmen were unable to attend Wednesday's meeting.

Mr Rosenthal hopes the state will change its mind, opening the door for money

to flow into Newtown's proposed budget. That would be good news for school

supporters, who are concerned over the Legislative Council's recent cuts to

the Board of Education's proposed budget.