I'm writing to see if the teachers are happy with taking away money from the state coffers in the form of a 10 percent tax cut to their retirement pay income tax this year, the next 15 percent to be next year.

The legislature has put off the final installment of this absurdity, the rise to 50 percent to another year.

In this era of cutting programs to women, children, veterans, education and infrastructure I hope you are happy to be receiving a tax cut when you already have some of the best retirement pay in Connecticut with colas and generous health benefits.

I also think we should refund all sales tax that the retired teachers pay.

Now maybe more people will realize why large companies are fleeing Connecticut, such as GE, Pfizer and P&W, moving or eliminating thousands of jobs. With the possible merger of some prominent insurance companies, Boston is already talking to them about moving. Maybe they'll move right next to GE.

Our legislature seems to be focused on tax breaks to specific groups. Does anyone look at who's paying the bill? How can this group sleep at night knowing they've taken money that could have gone to education, or saved the jobs of laid off state employees. I couldn't. Enjoy.

James Dreitlein

Groton