Each year, towns in Connecticut go through the painful budget process, and my town of South Windsor is no different. What is different is how politically charged this has become.

The basis of the politicalization seems to be rooted in “the tax issue.” This past year South Windsor went through the real estate re-evaluation process required by law every five years. With the rise in real estate values, those evaluations increased dramatically.

The good news; your house is worth more. The bad news; your tax burden is going up.

This did not sit well with many residents. So, in November, the town voted out our super-majority Democrat Party Town Council and voted in a super-majority Republican Party Town Council. The Republicans had campaigned on a platform of cutting taxes, which obviously appealed to many voters.

It waits to be seen whether new town leadership can hold the line on taxes without negatively impacting our schools, town services, head count, and more. This is not a partisan issue. The dread of higher taxes is not a Republican or a Democratic thing. I view it as a practical thing.

Let me explain. I moved to Connecticut in 2002 having lived most of my life in Maryland and Pennsylvania. I learned quickly after moving here that property taxes in Connecticut were not just high, they’re stupid high. And on top of that I had to pay a tax because I own a car. I’ve never paid a personal property tax in my life previously.

Why is this? It’s simple math – towns need revenue to support expenditures. The revenue side is static. Connecticut does not have a prolific tax base. There is no Boston generating billions in tax revenue. Our statewide population is that of a Minneapolis or Tampa. We are not getting a windfall. So practically speaking, the only place to adjust is on the expense side. And here we have a wonderful opportunity.

That opportunity is called, regional government. It is a state-wide solution. This state is a victim of an incredibly inefficient provincial system of government that goes back to colonial days. We have 169 little kingdoms each duplicating the costs of each other. This creates an insane level of cost redundancy. We operate in fiscal silos with few or no economies of scale.

And you know who agrees with this? Forty-eight other states, none of whom do government this way; only Connecticut and Rhode Island operate in this manner. Think about that enormous duplication of costs across; parks and rec, public works, elderly services, tax collection, legal advisers, economic development, health services, IT infrastructure and education, just to name a few budget line items that could be streamlined.

Back in the 60s and 70s there was an attempt to move to regional government but it was so poorly executed that it failed. The infrastructure already exists as we have counties and planning groups called Regional Councils of Government. For this massive change to occur we need the will of leaders. But the grassroots level is where it needs to start as elected officials will not want to cede power.

Voters have to assert their will.

This is not a solution for today. It would take years if not decades to get to regional government. But 48 states have proven it works. If we’re serious about reducing taxes this is one big swing of the bat can get us there. For young families planning a long-term future in Connecticut, this would benefit kitchen table issues. If we start now, maybe your kids won’t have to pay a tax to own a car.

Paul Bernstein is a retired marketing executive who lives in South Windsor.

A Connecticut rail train hit an ATV that was left on tracks near Berlin early Sunday, forcing about 20 passengers to have to change trains so the incident could be investigated, a Department of Transportation spokesman said.

The incident occurred a little before 11 a.m. on the tracks about three miles south of the Berlin Train Station, according to DOT spokesman Josh Morgan.

Morgan said no injuries were reported.

The ATV did not have a rider when the train hit it, but it had been left on tracks, Morgan said.

The tracks are owned by Amtrak but the train is owned by the state of Connecticut. The rail line runs between New Haven and Springfield.

Morgan said the train was northbound when it hit the unoccupied ATV. The passengers transferred to another train so they could reach their destinations, he said.

Morgan noted that no access is allowed to tracks and that any access to tracks is considered trespassing.

“It is incredibly dangerous to be anywhere near an active rail line,” he said.

Morgan said the ATV was removed and the train is out of service so it can be be inspected at the New Haven station. Other trains are running.

Morgan said as of Sunday “we do not really know” why the ATV was on the tracks. He said it remains under investigation by railroad officials, state and local police.

“They are trying to figure what it was doing there,” Morgan said, noting that officials also are seeking witnesses.

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Those who pay rent instead of mortgages have rights too and a special forum in West Hartford on Tuesday, May 21, will look into just what those rights are.

Greater Hartford Legal Aid is hosting a free legal seminar on tenant rights at the Elmwood Community Center, 1106 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, on Tuesday, May 21, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The event will feature attorney Kelsey Bannon and is free and open to the public.

Items up for discussion, include:

• Leases
• Renter’s rights and responsibilities
• Pre-move-in inspections
• Discrimination
• Rent increases
• Security deposits
• Changes to Connecticut laws

Greater Hartford Legal Aid is a not-for-profit law office that gives free civil legal services to low-income people and seniors in the Hartford area.

They represent individual clients before courts and government agencies and groups of clients in complex litigation.

They also provide community legal education to empower people to know their rights and advocate for themselves.

GHLA collaborates regularly with the Town of West Hartford on numerous levels, particularly by providing free legal advice and representation for income-eligible residents.

Those attending can access the Elmwood Community Center via Burgoyne Street. Free parking is available.

The event is sponsored by West Hartford Social Services.