Defending Connecticut Taxpayers: Susan Kniep
For Connecticut taxpayers, life is rough. Just ask Susan Kniep, president of the Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations (FCTO).
"Connecticut is second only to New Jersey for highest taxes in the country," she says. "People are suffering as a result of taxation."
So Kniep and the FCTO are working hard to promote fiscal responsibility in Connecticut government and to protect taxpayers from unnecessary taxation and government mismanagement and corruption, among other goals listed on their website.
They certainly have their work cut out for them, but they draw inspiration from Thomas Jefferson—who said "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"—to keep them motivated.
Jefferson's words have proved all too accurate, illustrated by the FCTO's website, where story after story has been collected about wasteful, irresponsible, and unaccountable government behavior. Here's a small sample of headlines: "Ex Connecticut Governor Gets 1 Year in Prison for Corruption," "Taxpayers are Being Sued by Government Unions," and "Lawmakers on a Wild Spending Spree." Needless to say, citizens must remain vigilant to keep their governments from running amok.
"The biggest cost to an American citizen is the taxes they pay. There is a strong taxpayer movement throughout the country, but there are still many who are unaware of what's going on," Kniep says. "And in their defense, it's because they're working so hard. Some of them are working multiple jobs just to keep their heads above water, to keep a roof over their head."
"All taxpayers get is the bill," Kniep continues. "They have no participation."
That's where the FCTO comes in. They sponsor events like "Tax Day" at the Capitol and produce an e-mail publication, "Tax talk," to keep citizens informed about legislation that affects them and to encourage them to act accordingly.
"Our goal is to empower the taxpayer, to have them understand that this is their government," she says. "People are coming to the realization of where their money is going-it's going to pay for the salaries and benefits of an elite group."
You might think keeping taxpayers informed and involved—not to mention her real estate business—would leave Kniep no extra time for anything else. However, she and the FCTO are also heavily involved in eminent domain issues because Connecticut is one of the few states who did not respond after the Kelo case by instituting legislation to protect property owners.
Connecticut certainly has its problems, but it's not the only state in the Union with out-of-control government, and Kniep encourages others across the country to get involved. She suggests understanding the various boards and commissions in your local municipality, and serving on one you're interested in.
"Most importantly, become astute with what your government is doing," she says. "Read local newspapers, attend local legislative body meetings. Be there in the audience and listen to what they're saying. Even if you never say a word, let them know you're concerned enough to be there."
Kniep also encourages citizens to form their own taxpayer organization.
"A taxpayer organization can be started with just one person," she says. "Hold a meeting and you could be impacted with five or 500. Sometimes people are just looking for a leader."
Thankfully for Connecticut, Kniep is that leader.
