----- Original Message -----

> > I recently returned from the University of Connecticut,


Connecticut is a very interesting example of fiscal idealism.  I lived there
during the time the state moved to a "consistent revenue model" (i.e.,
income tax).  Imagine all of the sudden taking a 4.5% hit on every dollar
earned.  Also, the income tax was to be temporary. Right.  Three years from
its inception it counted for 65% of all state revenues.  Of course, in order
to get it to pass, the CT legislature removed the investment tax (so the
very wealthy were happy), and made it graduated (so the majority of middle
to lower-middle class families) so those most able to stop the tax from
being enacted where placated.

Also, while we're comparing apples and oranges, consider that property taxes
were twice in CT then (8 years ago) from what they are here now.  That is if
you could afford a house.  Housing costs (including rental on an apartment)
were easily three times the cost of things here and only got worse the
closer you came to NYC.  So yes, there was no tax on food or clothing over a
certain price, but the other taxes and cost of living issues more than made
up for it (I believe CT is considered the 3rd most expensiv state in the US
in terms of total cost of living).

There is one similarity, however, and that is in health care.  Connecticut
has long enjoyed the reputation of one of the (if not the) best states to
move to if you have serious medical problems as the welfare system places
few restrictions on length of time in state when establishing who is
eligible for benefits.  I am not saying that medical care should be denied,
only that people should recognize its relative cost to all the citizens of a
particular state and plan accordingly.

Just wanted to shed some light and stop the mass exodus from TN to CT ...

Andy


======================================
Andy Novobilski, Ph.D.
UT Chattanooga Computer Science
331 Grote Hall
Voice (423) 755-4202