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"DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE? LET ME KNOW"

14 Comments -

1 – 14 of 14
Blogger J. Stan McCauley said...

Very interesting! Most certainly worth exploring for those small businesses with 50 or less.

July 13, 2011 at 6:37 AM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think it is a step in the right direction. But I also think you need to consider the potentially higher insurance costs and/or security costs they have to pay to operate in Hartford, due to the high crime rate. Taxes are one reason not to open a business there, the chance of getting robbed every other day is another one.

July 13, 2011 at 10:19 AM

Anonymous Bruce Rubenstein said...

I largely agree with Kevin, he is on the right track.

July 13, 2011 at 10:21 AM

Anonymous Rich Wareing said...

Kevin, you would need a change in state law to do this, which is possible, though not a certainty. The permissible abatements are set by statute, so you would need a modification to existing law to do this. It is still a good issue for a municipal official to advocate for, but you're going to need help at the General Assembly to actually make this happen.

July 13, 2011 at 1:13 PM

Anonymous peter brush said...

Hartford will have its act together and the Grand List will be growing
----------------------------------
Kevin:
Your suggestion, "...tax abatement to equal the mill rate of comparable suburban town...," on the right track. Implicit is a recognition that taxes are a necessary evil, all other things equal, damaging to the city because tend to drive folks out towards lower tax districts. Also implicit is the assumption that profit-making businesses are desirable. As opposed, however, to picking winners (businesses hiring residents or doing new building), I'd simply cut tax rates across the board.
But, either way, since Hartford can't print money balancing the budget with tax cuts requires spending cuts; i.e., Hartford's getting "its act together." Unfortunately, even if there were a clamor for cuts, the bulk of the budget is off the table because it's School District. Further, even if we were to cut taxes (and don't get me wrong, it's the best we can do), there are a ton of other factors alienating potential immigrants, factors related to Hartford's having been relegated by the State to ghetto status for decades now. (See anonymous @10:19.) But, now that I've thrown a wet blanket on it, let me re-iterate; cutting taxes on business is an attractive notion.

July 13, 2011 at 1:20 PM

Blogger KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Rich,

I'm being told we already have the authority, but I guess that is what we have Corp. Counsel for.

If the State can give $71 million to CIGNA to create 200 jobs, I think we could do a lot better with a lot less.

I have received quite a few phone calls about this post and everyone thinks it is a great idea and something that needs to get started.

July 13, 2011 at 6:14 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like this idea a lot. It is proactive. We need more businesses and we need more attractive businesses. There are tons of small plazas in this city that look like hell. Its all about enforcing ordinances saying we mean it. There are tons of bodegas that sell expired food and do not comply with health and safety codes. A good business does not want to open up shop next to a bad business. Sunshine Laundry was a force on maple avenue. We can not allow these type of companies to walk away. I think maple avenue has great hope and looks good for the most part. I would love to see franklin have a little more consistency and help. They were once shining. Bring back our avenues. All of them. Start a clean the avenues program. You can have Hartford business adopt an avenue or other community groups and have quarterly clean ups scheduled. There are endless possibilities to get back on track.

July 13, 2011 at 6:47 PM

Anonymous hartford voter said...

I don't know what to say, someone actually ruuning for Office that has an original thought rather than more empty promises. And a thought that really seems to make some sense.

Can it actually be a sign of change for the way Hartford is run?

You have my support Kevin.

July 13, 2011 at 6:50 PM

Anonymous Rich Wareing said...

Kevin, there is an abatement statute (actually, I believe there are two) and it outlines the permissible forms of abatements. I don't recall seeing anything like this being authorized. If someone shows you a section in the General Statutes that would permit this, please share that citation.

July 14, 2011 at 8:28 AM

Blogger Adam Cloud said...

Kevin,
Great idea and my office would love to work with you on the creation and implementation of this concept.

Treasurer Adam M. Cloud

July 14, 2011 at 3:27 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think it would be a good idea, but it would anger existing businesses to see a newbie get tax relief while they've been suffering all these years.

Cutting taxes across the board would be the only way to keep other businesses from leaving.

July 14, 2011 at 3:42 PM

Blogger KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Anonymous, 3:42PM :

I agree, that is also something that needs to be worked out since the businesses that have been loyal to Hartford may not be able, or willing, to wait to see the results of a tax decrease five or more years from now. Maybe some sort of incentive to add new jobs that would allow them to be part of the incentive program. I'm sure with a few minds working together we can come up with an acceptable program.

July 14, 2011 at 4:34 PM

Blogger KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Adam,

I have to say at first I was reluctant to open your comment figuring it would be a typical City Hall response with a 101 reasons and excuses why this wouldn't work.

I am pleasantly surprised by your attitude and hope this will become the attitude at City hall for everyone after the November elections. Your "let's get it done attitude" works for me and it is the attitude we need to move forward.

As my campaign slogan says "No more excuses, it is time for results". With all of us working together to accomplish what is best for Hartford is what will change this city for the better

July 14, 2011 at 4:40 PM

Blogger Adam Cloud said...

Kevin,
I am not your typical politician and my focus is and will be to make the city that I love better by being a resource and a partner to all of its stakeholders.

July 14, 2011 at 11:48 PM

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