Why do the middle class and poor pay more than the wealthiest?

Since this is April 15th, I thought I would share a message I received today that talks about the unfairness of the tax system in Connecticut.  Here is from the e-mail I received:

Attached is a new report from Connecticut Voices for Children that finds that Connecticut’s wealthiest residents pay much less of their income in state and local taxes than do the state’s middle-income and poor families.  After federal income tax deductions for state income and property taxes, the wealthiest 1% of Connecticut’s families (with average income in 2007 of $4.2 million) paid only 4.5% of their income in state and local taxes.  This was less than half the share of income paid in these taxes by the state’s middle-income families (9.3% of their average income of $55,000) and the poorest 20% of families (12.1% of their average income of $12,200).

Low- and middle-income families pay a relatively larger share of their income in sales and property taxes, while higher income families pay a larger share of their income in income tax.  In total, however, the state’s wealthiest families pay a much smaller share of their income in state and local taxes than do its middle and lower income families.  . . .

Michael Sullivan

Director of Communications

Connecticut Voices for Children

Here is the most important part of the report this message talks about (click on the photos to see the larger size):

Middle class families pay twice the tax rate of the wealthiest 1% in our state, and the poor pay even higher.  Why should the middle class and poor pay more so that the wealthiest can enjoy these large breaks?  It is just not fair.

That is why property tax reform is so important.  Had the major reform approved by the legislature two years ago, now, been signed into law we would be on our way to a fairer system, with lower taxes for people in cities like New Britain.  The state would have also been in a much better position to weather the current economic storm.

Book sale to benefit Friends of New Britain Public Library.

I have been asked to help publicize a book sale benefiting Friends of New Britain Public Library .  Here are the details:

The Friends of New Britain Public Library

Book Sale

W/Art & Music corners

Friday, April 17, 2009

      11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

      Saturday, April 18, 2009

      9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

      Free admission 

Preview: Thursday, April 16, 2009

3 p.m. – 6 p.m. $5.00 per person admission

(Members of the Friends of NBPL free)

Community Room, New Britain Public Library, 20 High Street,

New Britain, CT 

Hard cover and paperback fiction and non-fiction books, videos, vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, specially priced books, texts, children’s, books in other languages & much more!  Spotlighted is an Art Corner with books & framed and unframed prints for sale.  A special Music (classical to contemporary) section features books, scores and sheet music. 

Venta De Libros. Tenemos libros en Espanol.

Wyprzedaz Ksiazek. Mamy ksiazki po Polsku.

All proceeds benefit the New Britain Public Library

Renewable Energy and Conservation for New Britain in federal stimulus legislation.

Yesterday, I found out that New Britain is set to receive $653,500 in funding under the Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program (EECBG) for the state of Connecticut. The funding is available for direct distribution to municipalities with populations of 35,000 or more.

This funding provides grants to states and local governments for projects that improve energy efficiency, reduce fossil-fuel emissions and reduce total energy use.

I am very pleased with this priority.  President Obama’s energy priorities are forward thinking.

Rep. John Geragosian is also pleased with this program.  He said, “These are difficult economic times for many people and the energy funding, used wisely, will help people with escalating energy costs.”

Rep. Peter Tercyak added that,“This is good news for New Britain.  Energy efficiency makes good sense and this money comes at a time when people are hurting and need a helping hand.”

Senator Donald DeFronzo noted that, “This is a good expenditure that creates jobs now and makes us less energy dependent in the future.”

Local governments decide how this funding will be allocated.  It would be best for the city to use this funding in a way that helps residents save money on their electric and heating costs, while at the same time, creating good jobs.

This funding can be used for:

• Development of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy and Technical Consultant Services to assist in the development of such a strategy.
  
• Residential and Commercial Building Energy Audits.
  
• Financial Incentive Programs and Mechanisms for energy efficiency improvements such as energy savings performance contracting, on-bill financing, and revolving loan funds.
  
• Grants to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies for the purpose of performing Energy Efficiency Retrofits.
  
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs for Buildings and Facilities.
  
• Development and Implementation of Transportation Programs to conserve energy.
  
• Building Codes and Inspections to promote building energy efficiency.
  
• Energy Distribution Technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency, including distributed resources, combined heat and power, and district heating and cooling systems.
  
• Material Conservation Programs including source reduction, recycling, and recycled content procurement programs that lead to increases in energy efficiency.
  
• Reduction and Capture of Methane and Greenhouse Gases generated by landfills or similar waste-related sources.
  
• Energy efficient Traffic Signals and Street Lighting.
  
• Renewable Energy Technologies on Government Buildings.
  
• Any Other Appropriate Activity that meets the purposes of the program and is approved by DOE.

On behalf of New Britain, I offer my thanks to President Obama and our member of Congress, Chris Murphy.