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Tag: Republicans

  • Rocky Hill Congressman John Larson Demands Answers from Musk-Trump and House Republicans on Social Security

    Rocky Hill Congressman John Larson Demands Answers from Musk-Trump and House Republicans on Social Security

    On March 12, 2025, Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee voted to block Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson’s (CT-01) Resolution of Inquiry from coming before the full House for a vote.  

    Ranking Member Larson’s Resolution of Inquiry, cosponsored by every Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, would compel President Trump to disclose to Congress information about ‘DOGE’ activity at the Social Security Administration, including their plans to close field offices or cut staff. 

    John Larson’s full remarks:

    Thank you, Mr. Neal, and thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I said earlier, it’s a sad day for America. When the Committee of cognizance has to have this issue of inquiry, so that we can actually produce before the committee, instead of an empty seat and empty chairs, the person who President Trump has designated to find $2 trillion worth of cuts, a person who has publicly said that he knows where to find those. They’re in what he calls entitlements — what everybody on this committee knows, with regard to Social Security, is an earned benefit that they pay.  

    And so the people in your districts are wondering whether or not — because the chairman just said that there’s no way that President Trump is going to touch Social Security — even though last weekend he called it a scam. And that Elon Musk was on television just last night again saying that yes, their goal is to privatize Social Security.  

    Given these statements, I don’t understand why there’s a problem with bringing forth Mr. Musk to testify before this committee. And if all these ideas of fraud, abuse, and waste are true, then yes, Mr. Chairman, we should join with you to make sure that that’s the case. 

    But even the acting [Social Security Commissioner] hand-picked by Trump has said: ‘well, what they said about people receiving checks older than 115 years old is false.’ 

    That’s Trump’s appointment saying that. 

    And so, we continue to get the ‘Big Lie,’ including this weekend again. Where they said, oh yes, and the Democratic plan is to bring illegal immigrants into the country by offering to pay them Social Security. There’s not a thread of truth to any of that. 

    And yet, this unaccountable person, not a federal employee, not a volunteer, but a special person who’s not had to go through Senate approval, and who this committee is now saying ‘yes, we agree with the president. He should not be accountable. He should be able to have free reign and do whatever he wants. We will willingly follow him and do whatever he says because he’s the wealthiest man in the world, and surely, he must know how to save us from ourselves.’ 

    This program of Social Security that oh just happens to be the number one anti-poverty program for the elderly and for the children of this country. Yeah, I agree, Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump aren’t going to lose a moment’s sleep thinking about the privatization and what it means to those individuals.  

    And yes, you can say that he’s not going to do this, but yet there’s no commissioner here, no person under oath raising their hand and saying, ‘yes, no, we have no intention of privatizing Social Security.’  

    He’s made it clear time and time again, and if not, well, by all means, we’ll be happy to have him here.  

    We’ve sent letters. Chairman Estes knows — three weeks ago, I sent a letter asking for him to come immediately before the subcommittee, and we’ll continue to do that because we want to hear, as does the American public, the truth. 

    Read more on John Larson’s website.

  • Tax Increases Likely Returning to Rocky Hill: The Hidden Cost of the “Ames” Deal

    Tax Increases Likely Returning to Rocky Hill: The Hidden Cost of the “Ames” Deal

    Residents face rising taxes and shrinking benefits

    As town budget season approaches, Rocky Hill residents prepare for yet another property tax increase – the sixth consecutive year for most homeowners. Many are questioning why their tax bills keep climbing while town services remain stagnant or face cuts. According to a recent presentation by the Tax Assessor at the February 18th Town Council meeting, Rocky Hill actually saw a 0.59% drop in total real estate assessed values and an overall grand list decrease of 1.26% year-over-year. This declining tax base, combined with unavoidable increases in town expenses, means one thing: residents will pay more, potentially while receiving less.

    Town departments have reportedly received direction from leadership to maintain zero budget increases, forcing them to cut services or positions to accommodate contractually obligated wage increases. Even as services and positions are squeezed, the tax burden increases:  the Board of Education’s 4.9% budget increase – driven entirely by essential salary and maintenance needs with no new teachers or programs – will further burden taxpayers.

    At risk is the decline of town services and personnel, including:

    • Fewer staff to maintain our treasured institutions; for example, the library’s budget is lower now than in 2018 and hasn’t filled vacant positions, yet we are asking our librarians to do more with fewer employees.
    • A reduction in overtime payments for public works the last two years has resulted in delayed leaf pickup, frustrating homeowners, and clogging storm drains. 
    • A badly deteriorated public pool, with costly repairs on the horizon. 

    Republican tax abatements favor developers over residents

    While residents face mounting tax pressures, the Republican-majority on the Town Council has made decisions that worsen the situation. The most glaring example is the infamous Ames/Kelson Row tax abatement – what many have called a “sweetheart deal” that benefits developers at taxpayers’ expense.

    The multi-million dollar redevelopment of the former Ames Department Store headquarters on Main Street should have significantly boosted Rocky Hill’s tax revenues. Instead, the Republican-majority on the Town Council unanimously approved (while Democrats unanimously opposed) a tax abatement that locks in the developer’s annual tax payment at just $80,000 for years, with full assessed value taxation not beginning until 2034!

    To put this in perspective: Rocky Hill’s newest apartment complexes (Montage and Alterra) are assessed at approximately $153,125 per unit, generating significant tax revenue. If Kelson Row’s 225 luxury apartments were taxed at comparable rates, they would contribute over $34 million to our grand list and over  $1 million annually in tax revenue when fully completed.

    Even with just the 85 leased and near-completion apartments, Kelson Row would be contributing at least $13 million to our grand list and approximately $379,666 in annual tax revenue – mostly offsetting this year’s real estate assessment decline.

    A chart showing the potential loss of funding from Kelson Row - nearly $1 million

    Democrats support common sense and fair development practices

    Democrats on the Town Council have consistently advocated for responsible development policies that ensure new projects contribute their fair share to town finances. Rather than excessive tax abatements that shift burdens to residents, Democrats support balanced approaches that both attract development and protect taxpayers.

    A Democratic approach to abatement would:

    1. Require fair taxation of new developments based on comparable properties
    2. Implement reasonable, time-limited abatements that don’t take a decade to payoff
    3. Focus tax incentives on projects that deliver clear community benefits beyond developer profits

    This balanced and consistent approach would increase Rocky Hill’s attractiveness to developers while ensuring they contribute appropriately to the community’s financial health.

    Rocky Hill Democrats support fair development that benefits all residents by ensuring equitable tax distribution and protecting residential taxpayers.

    The Kelson Row situation exemplifies the fundamental difference in governing philosophy. Rather than celebrating one-off development projects that don’t pay their fair share, Democrats advocate for sustainable growth strategies that strengthen our tax base for the long term, fund essential services, and prevent the continuous cycle of residential tax increases.

    What You Can Do

    As Rocky Hill faces another difficult budget season, residents have the power to make their voices heard:

    1. Sign up for our mailing list so you can stay informed on budget developments
    2. Attend upcoming budget hearings and speak during public comment periods
    3. Contact your Town Council representatives and:
      1.  express your concerns about continuous tax increases
      2. ask them to explain how the Kelson Row abatement benefits ordinary taxpayers
    4. Follow Democratic candidates who are committed to fair taxation and responsible development

    It’s time for Rocky Hill to pursue development that truly benefits everyone – not just developers receiving special tax treatment while residents shoulder the growing burden.