The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-21
Poor Old Connecticut!

If our honored State Of Connecticut
emerges from this 1887 session of the
General Assembly, whole and entire, 1t
will be miracle of this modern age. AS
each day passes we read and learn OF
more demands or services that are to be
asked via our legislators. It's not enough
that the deficit of the state is 80 high that
it will be necessary to issue bonds to retire
it, but there are a thousand-and-one
pressing needs that must be satisfied be-
fore the session has adjourned sine die.
It must not be thought for one instant
either that these demands are foolish or
exorbitant ones. Every one that has
come to this writer's attention merits fav-
Orable action How such action can be
taken on all, we don't know. We should
think our legislators would likewise be
puzzled. Perhaps they are, but don't
admit. The amount Of money that Will
be asked to make worthwhile reforms
In the next two years period Is stagger-
ing one. Yet it is almost absolutely nee
essary that most of it be found with which
to finance these projects.
The latest service being imposed on the
state is that the Highway Department
take over control and maintenance of all
through routes in cities and towns. Sem
ator Joseph H. Lawlor of Waterbury in
troduced the measure. It may be re-
called that it was Senator Lawlor's perse-
verance that finally enabled Waterbury
to transfer mainten ar1ce of ThOmaSton
avenue to this department. It took
several sessions of the Legislature to win
over the State Department and get leg
iglative approval, but it was finally done.
And two years ago Bridgeport won VIC
tory along similar lines.
Even before the session opened New
Haven served notice on lawmakers that
it would likewise seek to have some of its
streets and bridges administered by the
State Highway Department rather than
the CITY, Now the Lawlor bill extends
similar privileges to all cities and towns
in Connecticut. Actually the bill pro-
vides for state maintenance, including
repairs of roads and bridges, on one
north-south and one east-west route in
each city. 1t can easily be seen what
load this would take off a city like Wa
terbury with long east-west approach
like East and West Main streets. With
Senator Lawlor chairman of the roads,
rivers, and bridges committee favor
able report would seem in the offing.
Where cities are burdened with the
heavy expense of snow removal this would
be sizeable item removed, too, although
this winter has not as yet imposed any
such financial burdens on any of Con-
necticut's 1869 towns. The added expense
to the State Highway Department would
certainly curtail any fresh demands for
diversion of this departments funds to
other branches of the state government.
In fact it might even necessitate another
change in existing motor vehicle license
and operators fees. If not these then
we might get an additional cent gasoline
tax.
One thing must be kept in mind. If the
state is to expand it's services and also
its grants to cities, 1t must have more
revenue than it now receives. State in
come has been on the up-and-up, but
still does not baalnce outgoing money.
This is delicate problem requiring the
best brains of the Legislature No party
feelings can enter into its solution.