The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-05-09
MONDAY, MAY 3, 1882
One Year Later

Just one year after the Legislature of this state refused to give Governor Gross permission to name commission to study existing tax conditions in Connecticut with the purpose of affecting reform, group of mayors and town officials approve resolu- ton asking Governor Cross to consider the immediate advisablity of appointing commission to make survey of the fnan- cial needs of the municipalities of the state ' So closely allied is this to the pro- posal of l93l that we wonder what our state legislators are thinking. It is ridieu- ous, isn't it, that the cities and towns must ask the governor to do something the Leg slature denied him.
 Mayor Quigley has been one of the most active of state mayors in the formation of league to bring about needed reforms in our present tax system so that towns and cities might keep mounting expenses even with the taxes that are becoming increas ngIy hard to collect. Yet last year. Mayor Quigley who is republican, might have advanced such d study one full year had he cared to throw his weight to the democratic side of the Legislature. It was well known that Governor Cross desired thorough study of our tax system to be made. He ad- vocated it in his inaugural address Perhaps the mere fact that it was democratic pro- possl hastened it's downfall.
 At any rate we sec no particular reason now why Governor Cross should summon special session of the Legislature so that this body might discuss ways and means of relieving the financial burdens of our municipalities Why should the same Leg islaturc as was in session in lo3l feel any different about the matter in 1922 Docs the mere fact that Mayor Quisley, re. publican official sponsors the idea have 50 much more weight than the governors plea to take some action upon tax relief! IL shouldn't have. yet it apparently will if the Legislature does rceonvene.
 Governor Cross has announced that special survey of the finances of the l6o towns of Connecticut is now being conducted by various state departments. He expects to be guided with regard to the special lcgis- lative session by their findings, Personally the governor is opposed to the special scs- sion. He probably realizes that it would simply add to the mounting state expenses while accomplishing little good in the indi. vidua community Also it might open the door to lavish display of bond issues which many towns contemplate to aid them in their charity and relief work.
 We are perfectly willing to have the gov" crnor name commission 10 study the tax situation. In fact he would probably like to do that himself, since it was democratic proposal in l93l. But the permission won't be given him we feel sure unless conditions in the state become much worse than they arc now. Why doesn't the Connecticut League of Municipalities conduct such re. scareh' It was created for just this purpose, wasn't it' Why not proceed along these lines and lay down the findings before the Legislature next spring. If that body is still playing politics it will merely kill itself. Incidentally the democrats have several good arguments dating back to the legislative ses' sion of l93l that they should resurreet shortly. Tax relief is one of them.