Submitted by Ed Dadakis, Greenwich
There has been a lot of attention from the community about this year’s town budget. I think its important to separate fact from emotion. Let there be no doubt, Greenwich passed its largest budget in history.
With the BET evenly divided, Republicans were forced to use their tiebreaking vote to craft a budget for everyone. It’s a budget fostering growth while exercising restraint—supporting schools, town workers, and key capital projects without overburdening taxpayers. It showcased the Republicans commitment to fiscal responsibility and pragmatic leadership.
The process wasn’t without friction, particularly over education funding, where the Board of Education’s request was far in excess of BET guidelines. Republicans, after careful deliberation, made measured reductions, demonstrating their ability to balance priorities without succumbing to political pressure. Democrats, however, stumbled through the process, prioritizing politics over people and nearly derailing the entire budget process.
When it comes to funding schools, even after a $4 million trim, spending will grew by $8 million from the previous year—a significant increase that underscores Republicans’ commitment to schools while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Claims of harsh cuts are overblown; the GOP ensured education funding rose substantially.
Yet Democrats seized the moment to play politics. BET Chairman Harry Fisher proposed a middle ground—slashing the reduction to only $2 million—but needed Democrat support to make it happen. Democrats flat-out refused, ensuring the full $4 million cut stood. Let that sink in: Democrats rejected $2 million they insisted schools desperately needed.
Behind closed doors, some Democrats admitted their hardline stance was a deliberate gambit—not to protect students, but to stir discontent against Republicans in future elections. It’s a cold-hearted strategy that prioritizes party loyalty over the well-being of Greenwich’s children and educators, exposing a troubling lack of principle. I think Greenwich residents are too smart to fall for it.
Additionally, Democrats championed a budget that risked a nearly 6% tax increase, which, according to local projections, could have added tens of thousands of dollars in new tax burdens for homeowners over a decade. For a community built on financial prudence, this was unacceptable.
Republicans, using their tiebreaking power as a fiscal lifeline, brought the tax hike down to under 3%—still challenging for some, but a victory for families, retirees, and small businesses. This wasn’t just about avoiding a tax grab; it was about preserving Greenwich’s legacy of sound financial management.
The fact is every Democrat voted against the final budget, and without the Republican tiebreaker, it would have collapsed. The consequences would have been dire: layoffs for teachers, police, firefighters, and other town workers, plus a freeze on critical infrastructure projects.
Picture the chaos—eroded morale, strained public services, and setbacks in education and safety. Republicans stepped up, ensuring these vital employees, the backbone of our town, kept their jobs. It’s a grounded, community-first approach Democrats abandoned for political gain.
This budget fight revealed core differences in leadership. Republicans steered Greenwich through a complex process with clarity and fairness, securing raises for workers, moderating taxes, advancing major projects, and boosting school funding to historic levels—all while avoiding reckless debt. Democrats, by contrast, mired themselves in divisive tactics, willing to harm students and strain residents for short-term political wins. Their inflexibility didn’t just undermine the budget; it showed a readiness to put party above progress.
Thanks to Republican resolve, Greenwich stands stronger. The tiebreaking vote wasn’t just a technical advantage—it was a shield against fiscal recklessness and political games. The budget reflects our shared priorities, and Republicans proved they’re the ones truly committed to keeping Greenwich a thriving place to live, work, and raise a family. Democrats may lick their wounds and plot their next move, but for now the GOP has proven who truly has Greenwich’s back.