State Rep. Timothy O’Brien, D-New Britain, wins this award for the second time this year. O’Brien was the Democratic candidate for Mayor in New Britain last fall where his campaign highlight was when one of his legislative aides was disciplined for spending state time posting libelous comments about Mayor Tim Stewart. But this week, O’Brien broke into new ground by proposing more taxes on those property owners who have large homes. The Connecticut Mirror collected all of the hair-brained ideas by the House Commissars Friday, and O’Brien’s idea was by far the most confiscatory.
“O'Brien's proposal would levy a state property tax of $10 for every $1,000 of assessed value over $1 million - if the mansion's owner does not already pay state income taxes. For example, if a millionaire with homes in Connecticut and Florida, where there is no state income tax, claims residency there, a big tax bill still will be due back here.”
"The advantage of having a mansion tax is that you can't move a mansion to Florida," O'Brien said, adding that if a millionaire tries to sell a Connecticut mansion, only another millionaire likely could afford it.”
O’Brien actually believes his rhetoric, which is slightly more frightening that the original premise of his proposal.
