Republicans to host community forum

WINSTED — If you want to complain about the Malloy administration, higher taxes and the whole idea of “shared sacrifice” in Connecticut, there are some local Republicans who would like to see you this Saturday, July 16.On that day, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., the Winchester Republican Town Committee will hold an open forum to give residents an opportunity to describe how the state’s controversial “shared sacrifice” budget affects their lives and how they might want to respond.Caucuses for both Democrats and Republicans for this year’s municipal elections are expected to happen by the end of this month.Saturday’s open discussion comes as residents face sales tax increases pushed by Gov. Dannel Malloy and his supporters, along with news of failed negotiations with state union workers leading to a $1.6 billion deficit in this year’s budget alone.“Life is tough for this town’s middle-class families—hardworking people who now pay more than ever for services and goods necessary to their lives,” said David Cappabianca, committee chairman, in a media release. “Circumstances have caused them to become more frugal and more efficient, and they’re looking for elected officials at every level to do the same — to offer an affordable government that actually works.”Cappabianca said a “no tax increase” proposal from Republican legislators is the party’s answer to the Democrats’ strategy of raising taxes. He said elected officials are “out of touch with today’s fiscal realities” and ignoring constituents’ demands for smaller government. “It’s time we let our local leaders know we disapprove of the ‘shared sacrifice’ mentality that favors the government machine over people,” Cappabianca said. “Business as usual doesn’t work. We can do better, and we must do better, to provide taxpayers with a government and quality school system that won’t bust their budgets.”The Winchester Republican Town Committee forum will be this Saturday, July 16, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the P. Francis Hicks Room at Town Hall.