Wednesday February 25, 2009
It’s been a full three weeks since Gov. Jodi Rell presented her two-year budget proposal to lawmakers. The Blogster has apparently been distracted by the shorter-term billion-dollar budget deficit.
But Rep. Steve Dargan, D-West Haven, found a tasty, non-existent source of revenue upon which the governor is basing her budget-balancing dreams.
She wants to double the jai alai player licensing fee from the current $50 to $100. Yes, there’s not a whole lot of revenue coming from that one, since the Bridgeport and Hartford frontons closed in 1995 and the Milford folded up its cestas back in 2001.
“It’s good to see the pari-mutuels are back in the state,” Dargan said with a laugh earlier today. He fondly recalled betting 1-2-6 quinellas at the old Milford fronton. “So now we’re grabbing increased fees that are non-existent. It’s somewhat comical.”
