The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-19
STATE TAX COMMISSIONER
 SUBMITS BIENNIAL REPORT
 TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Stresses Danger of Increasing Local Tax Burden by the State in Assuming Obligations of Municipal ities-Policy of Granting State-Aid Has Brought Forth Unsatisfactory Results

Hartford, Jan. 19-Care must be taken in laying plans for and to Connecticut municipalities to avoid an eventual increase in local tax burdens where relief Is intended, State Tax Commissioner William II. Blodgett points out in his bi- ennial report to the governor and general assembly. He says:
 "The demands of officials of towns and cities that tho state shall assume obligations recognized throughout the history of Connecti- cut as of local concern raise many important questions of policy. The municipalities of Connecticut are recognized by our court of last re- sort in long series of opinions as instruments by which 1t moro con- veniently functions and carries on state affairs. That court has said that towns in the colonial period had no inherent powers, but, if they did have such powers in the colonial period, they were given up by adoption of our constitution In 1913. Thus, if 1t appears that local governments by roason of changed conditions cannot longor carry on all of tho duties which they have long assumed, thero Is need of a re-establishing, re-def- ming and clarifying tholr relations to tho state.
 "The policy of granting stato-aid to local governments in continu- ally Increasing amounts, without retaining corresponding control Of expenditures Of local governments, has brought forth unsatisfactory pAuI,Ita xDh1rnunp nHAntAH An nfIl. clal commission of outstanding business men and students of tax atlon, appointed in New York state, in its report dated Fcbru- ary, 1b, 1032, usod tho following language:
 1t will be generally conceded that ns tho stnte assumes a lnrg- or share of tho financial support of governmental functions, It must assert n larger share of responsl- bilty for supervision and control. Tho commission i3 agreed that no additional stnto money should bo distributed to tho local units un- til provision has been mndo for further state control of local H. nancos to insure tho proper eXpon- ditures if such funds "rho commission recommended thoroughgoInR control of munich pal affairs fls n condition precedent to tho granting of further ald to municipal governments of that state, 1t is recognized, not only in Now York but elsewhere that a- doption of tho policy of nid stimu- ulntes moro and increasing de- mnnds upon tho Btato, that 1t tends to wastcfulnoss md oXtraVa- ganco on tho part of local govorn- ments, that it is not Just ns among municlpalitics, and that it breeds local dependence and irresponsi- biilty. Thus, instead of relieving lo- cal tax burdens imposed by tho property tax, it is very certain in q period of years to bring nbout an increase of such burdens"
 Tho situation is illustrated With n table showing n distribution by tho state of $a,3GG,75l,00 10 tho towns during tho lnW fiscal year in tax refunds, odu ton grants, state aid for paupcrs and highways
 "rho point is that local govern ments do not Impose tho taxes mentioned or administer tho laWs," Commissioner Blodgott points out.
 "Tho aggregate Of $4,306,7bl.36 so paid by tho state to tho towns represents 20.17 DOT cont of all tax moneys retained by tho state for It's uso in tho fiscal year ended Juno 30, 1032. This amount exclu. dod $2,OG4,250.00 of tho total of 5000, ,000.00 expended in that year in tho Building of dirt roads In tho towns of the state. Economy in government is q matter of little