Recovery for All Coaltiion Turns Out to End Systemic Inequalities

Over 300 people turned out to testify for a Recovery for All at the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee's public hearing on March 15. The 12-hour hearing included scores of moving and courageous remarks by low wage health care workers, immigrant workers, clergy and community groups who shared the hardships they are facing. They called for a change to the tax structure in order to fund bold investments in communities, workers and human needs.

They were supporting two bills, HB 6187 and SB 821, which would “repair Connecticut's deeply broken tax structure and invest in needs,” said coalition director Puya Gerami at a Tuesday press conference. The bills would provide “emergency relief and require the wealthy few to contribute to the common good of all.” he said. “Connecticut is the wealthiest state and most unequal and segregated. This is morally unconscionable.”

Currently, billionaires in Connecticut pay an effective tax rate three times lower that everyone else. Through several measures, the two bills would raise $3 billion from the wealthiest “to reduce disparities and fund needs,” said Gerami.

While most working class people have been struggling in the pandemic, Connecticut's billionaires collectively increased their wealth by $3.2 billion this year. However, Governor Ned Lamont's budget is one of austerity including cuts to services and public workers.

“The Governor's budget leaves out Black, Brown and working class white people. It does not address the crisis status essential workers are in,” said Rob Baril president of 1199 New England health care workers union, which has lost 22 members to COVID.

With 200,000 unemployed, 15,000 facing eviction, and one in five children hungry in Connecticut “we need to fund families in desperate need,” said State Rep. Robyn Porter closing out the press conference. “The people who made it possible should get what they earned.”

If the bill is voted favorably out of committee it will go to the floor of both houses for debate and decision.

Below are two of the testimonies presented to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee:

Testimony presented by Georgina Fuentes, Hartford

My name is Georgina Fuentes. I am speaking in favor of HB 6187 and SB 821 for fair tax policies that will lift up all of Connecticut..

I live in Hartford. I work with the Communist Party to make the lives of myself and my community better. I am part of the Recovery for All coalition.

In my neighborhood, many people who work are in low wage jobs and can't make ends meet. It has been even harder during the pandemic. Some are also undocumented and do not have access to health care and other needs.

I grew up in the projects with addiction, and have worked hard for my recovery. I like to help people because I know the struggles of not being able to provide and I know the struggles of not being able to take my kid to have fun. As a single mom I know it's rough for single parents.

The pandemic has highlighted how unacceptable it is for our state to have the greatest inequalities in the country. I am all for taxing the rich their share so it is possible to help people who really need it.

The $3 billion HB 6187 and SB 821 would raise for our state could go a long way to invest in closing that gap.

The $3 billion could help upgrade our education system, make sure everyone including the undocumented have health insurance, and invest in affordable housing.

The funds raised could help provide places for children to learn and play after school and on weekends in cities like Hartford so they too can develop and learn like children in towns that have more.

These funds could made sure that everyone has a roof over their head, somewhere to sleep and cook meals for their children.

These funds could make sure that no one has to get sick because they can't afford their medications.

In my community we pay our fair share of taxes. I support HB 6187 and SB 821 so that those at the top do the same, and so that it is possible for the State of Connecticut to make investments in a true Recovery for All.

Testimony submitted by Jahmal Henderson, New Haven

My name is Jahmal Henderson. I'm a front line worker, a union steward with Unite Here Local 217 at Southern Connecticut State University. Along with the Recovery for All coalition, I'm speaking in support of HB 6187 and SB 821I because it will promote fairness in our unjust tax system.

I live in the Newhallville section of New Haven where I organize with the Newhallville / Winchester Communist Club and the Peoples Center Jobs and Unemployment Committee. We fight daily against the Inequalities faced in my community.

High rates of unemployment and crime have been major issues. Now since the COVID-19 pandemic. these issues have worsened. But communities like mine are being left behind. To achieve racial equity, investments for the recovery should be extended to all communities and residents in need, centering people of color who are the most impacted.

The progressive revenue which HB 6187 and SB 821 would raise, can provide funding for the serious issues my community needs and faces.

Youth have been especially challenged. There is need for youth resources and youth jobs, resources for drug court funding so criminal behavior caused by substance abuse can be addressed as a health care issue, funding to expand access to after school care programs, funding for supportive housing with treatment services for the chronically youth homeless, and preventive care such as free mental health first aid for all.

We need the resources that a fair tax system would provide, in order to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that makes every community and our entire state stronger. I urge you to pass HB 6187 and SB 821.