The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-08
Time To Get Together

So many different agencies in the state are propounding ways and means of reliev- ing the burden of the taxpayer that state of confusion exists If these factions could be brought together perhaps we might achieve something in the nature of tax reform in Connecticut. That one is indi- cated and must be accomplished goes with out question. It is only a matter of time before some sweeping change in our existing methods of levying and collecting taxes IS made. It IS even possible that this upheaval may also result in modifieations of local and state government, particularly the elimina- ton and consolidation of overlapping branches
 Dr George B. Clarke of Connecticut Agri- cultural College can always be relied upon 10 say something worth listening to. His knowledge of government and taxation IS more than ample to qualify him as an ex- pert along these lines He is ever sincere in what he says and has no other motive than to produce in our state or any other state for that matter contented communities where tax problems are few and far between. He has pointed out. as has Governor Cross and Tax Commissioner Blodgett the error of borrowing in anticipation of taxes. It is an expensive habit that practically every city in the nation has absorbed. It is common practice, but it is also tremendously expens- i've.
 His remedy is merely shifting the dates of tax collections and the beginning of the city's fiscal year SO that they coincide. In this way the city is not forced to borrow money to pay its everyday expenses until the treasury is enriched by the next install ment of taxes. Unfortunately there IS joker in this preventive, just as there would be in any other one suggested. It is one that car never be removed from any system of government. It is the human element. Regardless of mans ability to pay his fair share of the expense of government 100 per cent can never be realized. Tax collections fall short of all expectations more times than they approximate It. Recourse to any rec ords will show that
 Right here in Waterbury our budget makers are forced to set up in the l933 esti- mates thousands of dollars to take care of the deficit incurred in l932. This is oblig- atory under our charter. In addition to that there is always leeway between estimated expenses and estimated receipts. But even with this leeway Waterbury has failed to come up to expectations in tax collections. If 1t had it would not have been necessary to set up an amount in the l933 budget to meet the l932 deficit. We wonder if tax reformers can figure out how to meet such an obstacle as this. Of course we admit the fly below par. But even so, we must do something more than exchange present mu- ncipal machinery.
 As we view the situation broadening the tax base means simply that we pay less taxes on some things but we have more things on which to pay taxes so in the long run our total tax bill probably isn't reduced. And it never will be cut down until we junk some of our existing governmental ma chinery. We've simply got to economze an government if we intend to continue our public expenditures at present rates. It's in the handwriting on the wall And anybody who claims that we can't do that is either purposely throwing dust in the eyes of the public or is blind to what IS going on around him. Let our various state agencies now seeking tax reforms get together and then we're sure to get good results.