Opinion: Lawmakers would rather be the juice police than deal with the economy

We are nearing the end of this year’s legislative session, and I admit I’ll feel a little relieved once the statehouse empties out, because it’ll mean lawmakers can’t do any more harm.

Connecticut’s economy is in trouble. Our state’s economy was the only one — the only one — in the nation that shrank in 2012. (Numbers aren’t out yet for 2013.) We were last in economic growth in the nation. Last.

And this week a new Gallup poll came out that showed Connecticut residents are not feeling too enthusiastic about their home state. Only 31 percent said Connecticut is the best or one of the best possible states to live in, placing us in the bottom 10 states for home-state pride.

Maybe it has something to do with the cost of living here — our local and state taxes and energy costs are among the highest in the nation, while our personal income growth lags behind the national average.

Suzanne Bates is a writer living in South Windsor with her family. While traveling across the country as an Air Force spouse, she worked for news organizations including the Associated Press, New Hampshire Union Leader and Good Morning America Weekend. She recently completed a research fellowship at the Yankee Institute. Follow her on Twitter @suzebates.

See the complete story at CT News Junkie.