Malloy Proposes Cutting Red Tape for Towns

Gov. Dannel Malloy will propose a number of state mandate reliefs that are designed to cut municipalities a break during tough economic times.

“My administration has heard local leaders loud and clear – they are asking for a reprieve from onerous state requirements and for the removal of burdensome red tape,” he said, adding that he has listened to municipal leaders’ biggest regulatory complaints.

Connecticut lawmakers will have to tackle a projected $1.5 billion budget hole for the next fiscal year. The governor alluded to big proposed changes in how the state divvies up local aid,to help support the communities that need it the most.

Malloy will present his full state budget Feb. 8 to the General Assembly.

Labor
Malloy will issue several proposals, some of which will affect municipal ability to negotiate collective bargaining. It would exclude state aid increases from collective bargaining ability to pay consideration.

It would also allow towns to negotiate employee contributions under the Municipal Employees Retirement System.

Random selection of neutral arbitrators and the use of a single arbitrator could be used for agreements between both parties. Arbitration is a process that is used when a municipality and a collective bargaining unit can’t come to an agreement on a contract.

Education
On the education front, Malloy’s proposals would eliminate the requirement for superintendents in small school districts and communities and remove the three-year limitation on school superintendent contracts.

Towns within a regional district would receive education cost sharing aid from the state at a ratio of the town with the highest ratio in the region under certain circumstances, Malloy said.

Malloy also wants to make it easier for temporary teaching certificate holders to teach in local schools and foster flexibility on curricular instruction and professional development.

Other proposals include:

• Allow for flexible town assessment rates, with Office of Policy and Management approval.
• Eliminate municipal spending cap for most municipalities.
• Increase antique car assessment cap to $1,000 for vehicles less than 30 years old.
• Defer the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities municipal mandate.
• Allow CHRO respondents to opt out of mediation.
• Increase town clerk preservation fees and remit larger portion of revenue to municipalities.
• Increase the prevailing wage threshold for the first time since 1991 to $1 million for new construction and $500,000 for remodeling.

Image via MTA/Flickr Commons