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afleetingmoment t1_itwhgup wrote

Reply to comment by Frequent_Jelly_4138 in How can we incentivize real discussions around solutions to home affordability in CT? by otter_spud

I 100% agree, all I'm pointing out is that unless and until the various towns group together and sort out the housing issue, it will never go anywhere. If the wealthy towns just sit back and wait for the cities with far less resources to figure it out, it will never happen. We need to work together since as you said, both parties benefit.

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Frequent_Jelly_4138 t1_itwigsd wrote

So should the wealthy communities be taking their own tax revenue to build housing in poor cities? Fairfield county already funds the majority of the state with its taxes

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afleetingmoment t1_itwjet0 wrote

In a way, yes.

I'll compare here to where my parents live in Indian River County, Florida. Like here, there are extremely wealthy areas on the barrier island, there are middle-class suburban areas, there are really poor areas, and there are rural areas. Yet the entire county is one school district. Everyone shares various municipal services and resources. All the houses pay in in proportion to their value to create a school system.

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Frequent_Jelly_4138 t1_itwjtrt wrote

I personally disagree that my taxes should benefit communities other than my own but that’s completely ok to disagree on. It definitely could work but I don’t think that idea would make it past the folks that think like me.

Edit: for example, compare Greenwich’s public schools to Florida’s.

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afleetingmoment t1_itwl5oz wrote

I totally get that view, yet therein lies the problem. Greenwich (and others) wouldn't survive in its current state if not surrounded by towns that can feed it workers. So in my estimation the economic system crosses many town's boundaries... yet due to the structure we have, Greenwich isolates the benefits of that system for itself and can have the best schools, resources, etc.

It's an interesting problem but one that seems solvable through some kind of resource sharing or perhaps the "council of governments" idea.

I don't expect the wealthy to just buoy everyone... nor do I think it's fair to look at a place like Bridgeport with zero available to it and say "you fix all your problems; they're not mine."

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usernamedunbeentaken t1_itx56u6 wrote

But other communities wouldn't survive if not for the massive taxes that rich communities like Greenwich pay.

You (and others who argue for 'regionalization) are arguing that rich communities should support poorer communities. But the fact is they already do tremendously.

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Frequent_Jelly_4138 t1_itwtsvc wrote

Yea everything you said is correct and I agree with it. I think the divide is those who think that system is a problem or not.

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