fbpx Skip to content

Yankee Institute Statement on the Imposition of Fines for Not Wearing a Mask

Gov. Lamont’s new executive order — imposing stiff fines on struggling state residents for non-compliance with his onerous restrictions on social gatherings — is tantamount to punishing Connecticut’s people for success. It’s unfortunate that, rather than encouraging and supporting people during one of the hardest years they have faced perhaps in their lifetimes, Connecticut’s governor has decided to clamp down on them even harder. 

In Connecticut, 64 people are currently hospitalized for coronavirus in a state of 3.6 million. Even as Gov. Lamont touts our state’s record of “flattening the curve” of hospitalizations, he has continued to impose (and even tighten) restrictions on people and businesses without offering any rationale based on scientific data. Despite Connecticut meeting the standards for reopening that he and his administration set, without explanation, the governor has repeatedly delayed continuing with his own reopening plan. Now, the first guarantee backed by hard numbers that our leaders have offered the people is the amount of fines that will be extracted from them. But when the governor ignores his own metrics for reopening, is it any wonder that some might ignore his ongoing restrictions – especially when they seem to bear little relationship to conditions on the ground?  

In dark and difficult times, it is only humane and fair for government to provide as much certainty as it possibly can. If the plan for lifting restrictions is actually to wait until there is a vaccine, then the governor should simply say so. Otherwise, he is needlessly creating more uncertainty, fear and economic hardship for no discernible reason whatsoever – and adding to the perception that Connecticut’s government is hopelessly out-of-touch with those who lack the good fortune to collect a state paycheck. 

This is not the way to instill confidence in the future, or signal to Connecticut residents that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Our state’s people have worked hard to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. They should be applauded, not punished. And consistent with the best science available and their own good common sense, they should be free to earn a living and to live their lives — not fined by a detached, arbitrary and hypocritical government.

Statement attributable to Carol Platt Liebau, President of Yankee Institute for Public Policy

Yankee Staff

Yankee Institute is a 501(c)(3) research and citizen education organization that does not accept government funding. Yankee Institute develops and advances free-market, limited-government solutions in Connecticut. As one of America’s oldest state-based think tanks, Yankee is a leading advocate for smart, limited government; fairness for taxpayers; and an open road to opportunity.

8 Comments

  1. Todd
    September 16, 2020 @ 7:36 am

    If for some reason the government decides to fine me I will not pay. What are they going to do, put me in jail?

    Reply

  2. Harold Foskett
    September 16, 2020 @ 10:20 am

    We can start a riot / protest and destroy anything, but not get arrested

    Reply

  3. Pat
    September 16, 2020 @ 10:43 am

    The power of the pen has gone to little Hitlers head and he doesn’t want to relinquish it!!!! Shame on him!!!!

    Reply

  4. RON
    September 16, 2020 @ 10:55 am

    It’s not his fault. Didn’t Lamont pay for a bunch of people to tell him when to reopen?

    Reply

  5. Panicky Floyd
    September 19, 2020 @ 5:34 pm

    Of course Yankee Institute is anti-mask and covid denying. They want to destroy the poor and working class families of CT.

    Reply

    • Mickey Spillane
      September 21, 2020 @ 3:42 pm

      Anti mask is based upon the current knowledge and clear research that shows mask do not work and might also cause harm to lungs

      Reply

  6. Thad Stewart
    September 20, 2020 @ 8:35 am

    I ask respectfully, who voted for this anti-constitutional tyrant? Enough is enough, this state has been riddled with political corruption since I moved here, 1979. When are the people of this state going to demand accountability out of their elected officials? Sad when voting always comes down to the lesser evil.

    Reply

    • Mickey Spillane
      September 21, 2020 @ 3:40 pm

      It’s beyond the voting now. It’s time for prison for Ned and his minions — Josh Grabelle — COO and Paul Mounds — Chief of Stafff. Throw in the DPH acting commissioner for good measure and all the legislators who stayed silent amongst all the illegal executive orders

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *