Connecticut Could See Property Tax Hikes in Summer

Stephanie Reitz

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Officials in nearly three-quarters of Connecticut municipalities polled in a recent survey said they expect to raise property taxes this summer if they do not receive significantly more state aid, and more than half said they also would be likely to cut programs and lay off workers.

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, which lobbies lawmakers on behalf of towns and cities, released the survey Wednesday as more than 100 local officials converged on the state Capitol to press legislators to boost aid to municipalities and school districts.

But their plea for more money comes as Connecticut faces up to $1 billion in red ink in the current state budget ending June 30, and as much as $8.7 billion in projected deficits over the next two budget years. ...