New Britain herald., 1925-01-21
RIGID ECONOMY IS
 TRUMBULL'S PLEA
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which, it added to the lowest esa- mate Of maintenance expenses, would result in treasury deficit at the close of the fiscal period unless taxes were increased. It IS the duty of state officials to inform you fully of the needs of the departments or institutions for which they arc re- sponsible. It is for you to deter mine the relative merit of the TO- quests presented from the several sources which properly look to the general assembly for support Tn some instances questions of the iu- ture policy of the state are Involved, and such questions should be met only after careful and thoughtful consideration,
 The line of demarcation between the executive and the legislative branches of the government need not hinder our taking counsel to- gether in the common purpose 10 conduct the states affairs on a bust nessllke basis and live within our means. Whatever may be the TO- quirements upon this session of the general assembly none takes precc- dence over our manifest duty 10 leave the state as sound financially as we find 1t. If this object can be accomplished without impeding the work of any of our departments or institutions, and further reduction in taxes effected by the practice of rigid economy q noteworthy ad- vance will have been made.
 Application 10 the state govern ment of the same principles which govern successful private enterprise is prerequisite. Most of us would immediately acquire many conveniences we now lack if our means were increased, and we find 1t expedient to go without what we cannot afford There is no reason for us to do otherwise with the pub lie funds at our disposal, Deslr- able features are no douht 10 be found In many of the current plo- posals for extension of the states scope of work. but new departures in government create new sources of expense and, unless existing aCtivi- ties are curtailed, require increased revenue, which means additional taxes, Our first obligation is properly to provide for expansion commensurate with the states growth of the work WIG have already undertaken. Certain of our insti- tutionS are seriously ovcrCroWded and conditions at some are such as to require prompt attention. In other instances, also nerItorious but perhaps not imperative, you will find it necessary to defer appropriations until a subsequent session. The withholding of an appropriation in one session because of the limitation cf funds should not be considered preiudiCial 10 3 project at another time unless so stated by the general assembly. Suffice to say, it is use less to attempt to meet all the states needs at once.
 To the end that tho most equit - able distribution of the available state funds may bc achieved, l recommend that you fiH your taxing policy early ill the session as guide to yonr appropria tions committee, and that you limit your appropria- lions to the receipts estimated to be available from the taxes you ap- prove, The general assembly fol- lows falacious and uneconomic principle when if proceeds with its authorizations for expenditures be- fore determining what the states ln- come for the fiscal period shall he. The reverse procedure would be more in keeping with sound business practice, It would appear 10 be the course of wisdom for you to de. termine first what forms of taxes are to be in effect for the period under consideration and the amount of revenue these taxes might req. sonably be expected to produce, anC then to hold your appropriations tc q total well within that figure.
 It would aid materially if yol would dispose of the budget O maintenance appropriations at thu earliest possible date consisten with this policy. The experience o four sessions has demonstrated tha 1t is rarely necessary for the gen eral assembly to modify recommen dations as 10 maintenance appro rriations made hv the board o au. II.ro - I,,,.n , Ian,r+