State mandates push direct, indirect costs on to towns

Connecticut legislative Republicans today renewed their efforts to dump costly municipal mandates that are taxing towns and cities, including delaying new in-school suspension rules and redefining the age of juvenile offenders, and urged Democrats to act on them in the upcoming special legislative session.

“As a former mayor, I am well aware of the direct and indirect costs of state mandates on municipalities,” said Rep. Aman. “The in-school suspension mandate alone will cost the town of South Windsor $35,000 this year. I feel the board of education should make the decision as to the best way to spend that money to best educate the students of South Windsor. It is inappropriate for the state to tell the local school district how to best discipline students.”

Republicans introduced a five-point local mandate relief proposal that they will try to pass next week. The plan was developed in response to mayors and first selectmen and promoted by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM). The proposals that will be offered next week include:

• Delaying implementation of the in-school suspension of students that will require millions to hire additional certified personnel and identify dedicated space.
• Delaying implementation of policies that raises the age of juvenile offenders from 17, a program that will cost towns and police department $95 million in personnel and constructions costs.
• Delaying the requirement that towns and cities post meeting agendas and minutes on the web.
• Requiring a two-thirds majority vote by the legislature to pass any more mandates.
• Adding “services’’ to the list of purchasing contracts that DAS can enter into for municipalities.