To the Editor:

A huge victory for Newtown students, Newtown taxpayers, and bipartisanship in government this past Friday. In a truly bipartisan move, and over the objection of Governor Malloy, the Connecticut House and Senate passed the Republican-proposed state budget that restores to Newtown the cut in Newtown's State Education Grant made by executive order/fiat of Gov Malloy. Had it not passed, Gov Malloy would have single-handedly slashed Newtown's education grant by $4,527,000.

But we are not out of the woods yet. The governor has said that he will veto the bipartisan budget bill passed last Friday. If he does that, then the governor's executive order to cut Newtown's funding will go into effect on October 1. What does that mean? That Newtown taxpayers will have to pay an additional $4,527,000 in taxes, possibly as early as October, to fund Newtown education. So, the financial damage to local taxpayers continues on and on. Did you know that the governor's own budget proposal makes an appropriation of $140 million for a new state-of-the-art entertainment arena, called the XL Center, in Hartford? Would you rather have an entertainment center in Hartford or your promised funds for Newtown education?

The bipartisan budget stops the bleeding, stops the deficits, and restores Connecticut to fiscal responsibility. Call Gov Malloy's office at 800-406-1527 and tell him "Don't veto the budget."

One final important point: the people of Connecticut have been demanding a spirit of bipartisanship from our elected officials for a long time now. The budget passed last Friday is a rare example of what people want their elected officials to do: come together in harmony for the sake of all of us. Let's make sure the governor understands that.

Sincerely,

George C. Guidera

Equestrian Ridge, Newtown           September 20, 2017