by | May 13, 2010 8:03 am | Comments (18)
Thomas MacMillan Photo
Two weeks after hundreds of New Haveners stormed City H all to decry a planned tax hike, Budget Director Larry Rusconi proposed a familiar idea: delay a property revaluation phase-in that would shift taxes from businesses to homeowners.
by | May 12, 2010 4:37 pm | Comments (35)
Melissa Bailey Photo
(Updated) A city union president heard a pitch from the mayor to rally the troops behind his proposed budget — but she decided to hold the phone.
Continue reading
‘Both Sides Appeal
To Unions In Budget Fight’
by | May 11, 2010 7:03 am | Comments (19)
Melissa Bailey File Photo
Superintendent of Schools Reggie Mayo announced on Monday night that the Board of Education is looking to trim $1.5 million from next year’s budget.
by | May 6, 2010 7:00 am | Comments (31)
Mayor John DeStefano turned down a chance to sign a citizens’ no-tax-hike petition, but then invited lawmakers to help him find ways to cut the city budget. Meanwhile, Board of Aldermen President Carl Goldfield took aim at a controversial parking meter “monetization” deal, parsing the legalese and asking whether it makes sense to plug a budget hole with what’s basically a 7.65 percent mortgage that gives potential control of city assets to a private company.
by | May 5, 2010 7:20 am | Comments (37)
Thomas MacMillan Photo
As the mayor prepared for a rare appearance at an aldermanic budget meeting, aldermen gathered on the steps of City Hall to issue a “no tax hike” call.
by | Apr 29, 2010 7:41 am | Comments (73)
Jeffrey Kerekes speaks with public school parent Cindy Vieira.
One woman wept. She said she can’t afford to pay more taxes. Another shouted and slammed the microphone on the table. And everyone cheered, even the people who had shown up to support the proposed budget.
by | Apr 28, 2010 7:29 am | Comments (28)
A faceoff is brewing tonight between parents organized by school officials to rally for public education, and tax-weary watchdogs looking to cut the city budget.
Continue reading ‘School Reform Rescue? Or “Fearmongering”?’
by | Apr 26, 2010 6:47 am | Comments (14)
Thomas MacMillan Photos
After a year of negotiations, the city has unveiled final details of a controversial parking deal on which Mayor John DeStefano’s proposed new $476 million city budget hinges.
by | Apr 21, 2010 2:08 pm | Comments (21)
Thomas MacMillan Photo
As New Haven prepares to make public details of a controversial $50 million parking monetization deal, a losing bidder is still hoping to convince the city to include him — and hand over control of parking garages.
by | Apr 21, 2010 8:06 am | Comments (6)
Thomas MacMillan Photo
School officials appeared at a once-a-year budget grilling, and said it doesn’t make sense to respond to tough budget times by rolling back construction projects.
Continue reading ‘School Brass Pressed On Construction Costs’
by | Apr 16, 2010 3:30 pm | Comments (30)
Thomas MacMillan Photo
CEO chief Nichole Jefferson.
Budget-strapped New Haven’s support for Tweed-New Haven Airport again took center stage as government department heads appeared before aldermen to testify about their portion of the mayor’s proposed $476.3 million budget.
by | Apr 14, 2010 12:07 pm | Comments (9)
Zak Stone Photo
As the city’s police and fire chiefs presented budgets to the Board of Aldermen, they again came under fire for spending too much on overtime costs.
by | Mar 31, 2010 9:04 am | Comments (67)
A shouting match erupted, and a schoolteacher’s eyes brimmed with tears, as the mayor pitched his new spending plan to taxpayers at the Celentano School.
by | Mar 26, 2010 2:21 pm | Comments (12)
Thomas MacMillan Photo
New Haven hopes to save $8 million in part through a so-called “Innovation Based Budget” (IBB) system. In the view of an official from another city that pursued the same hope 15 years ago, that might be a tall order.
by | Mar 23, 2010 7:52 am | Comments (23)
Thomas MacMIllan Photo
As the budget office prepares a deal that would sell off 25 years of future parking meter revenue, Downtown Alderwoman Bitsie Clark asked had a question: What if nobody’s parking in 2035?
Continue reading ‘In 25 Years, Will Anyone Still Drive Cars?’
by | Mar 22, 2010 12:02 pm | Comments (17)
Melissa Bailey File Photo
The city’s budget chief plans to offer the first public detailing of a controversial deal to avoid further tax hikes by selling 25 years worth of parking meter revenues.
by | Mar 11, 2010 8:54 am | Comments (20)
ZAK STONE PHOTO
If this year’s budget planning decisions seemed tough, just wait for next year’s. That was the message Mayor John DeStefano brought to Westville in the first stop on a citywide budget road show.
Continue reading ‘Think This Year’s Budget’s Tough? Wait ‘Til 2012’
by | Mar 10, 2010 3:34 pm | Comments (21)
Paul Bass Photo
When New Haven passes a new budget, Lequane Gormany should still be retrieving quarters from parking meters. Where those quarters end up has become a big question.
by | Mar 4, 2010 8:18 am | Comments (68)
A fed-up homeowner came face-to-face with the mayor and popped the question: Why do you want to raise our taxes an average of 9 percent?
by | Mar 2, 2010 8:43 am | Comments (60)
Melissa Bailey Photo
When he picked up the mayor’s new proposed budget Monday, one alderman prepared to bring a tough choice back to his neighborhood: Should we raise taxes? Or cut city services?