Governor Malloy says "take that!"
From the CTNEWSJUNKIE"
“...The governor’s brazen decision to ignore the intent of the
compromise budget is bare sabotage, and the clearest indication yet that
he’ll spend his remaining time in office working to punish anyone who
has opposed his failed policies,” Klarides said. “He has no interest in
reforming state government, rehabilitating our economy, or even
considering the concerns of local leaders and the citizens legislators
serve — the very people who appreciated our efforts to work together to
avert his cruel cuts to schools and critical social services programs.
Plain and simple, his sole focus is to break the budget and the
lawmakers who supported it.”
One example of how Weston's election may have saved money...
http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/budget/fy2018_holdbacks/fy_2018_holdbacks_as_percentage_of_municipal_expenditures.pdf
FULL STORY IS SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN BY NEXT WEEK...
No more CT-N website at the present URL as of Nov. 8, 2017 - who done it?
From CTNEWSJUNKIE:
"One of the proposals the legislature debated was whether they should
assess a small fee on cable subscribers to pay for the service. The bill
made it out of committee in 2016, but never got called for a vote..."
CT-N NOT DEAD YET: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/the_cameras_will_keep_rolling_as_negotiations_over_ctn_continue_10_31_2017/
E C O N O M I C S :
G R A V I T Y O F C
T S I T U A T I O N ( A S
I N " W H A T G O E S U
P ...")
Pardon my asking, but isn't this a bit like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic? FR&B, Approps and Commerce.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 101: Bureaucracy protects itself: THREE (3) HOUR "TITANIC" JOINT MEETING
- "'The idea that they
can’t submit information because they can’t access information, fixing
that doesn’t require new legislation...' Rep. Ziobron said.
- Comptroller Lembo at both meetings.
- Waste at D.E.C.D.? Garbage in garbage out. Blame the software which is not uniform across agencies.
- We listened to the Joint Committee (FR&B, Approps, Commerce) Auditor's Report live for a while - Commissioner said "sorry."
- It is true that auditors can make a mountain out of a mole
hill but,,,FIRST FIVE morphed or metastasized and "silo" issue still
present.
- Also embarrassing to me was to hear the Economic Development
Commissioner have to admit that only now will they be making upgrades to
reporting.
- And there was discussion of direct and indirect jobs - you might
remember the many times we've written about this construct
"(INPUT-OUTPUT TABLES" or regional economics)
Then...C.R.S.A. to provide retirement security to 21st Century CT Employees/workers - consultants???
Just a thought...
As Rep. Rojas pointed out, it will be the next administration that can change things (either way). "Economic Competitiveness" member present.
SOMEONE SAY "COMPETITIVE?"
Connecticut is a very small place. People now in places of
importance were once young and carefree. And we knew them when.
Please note the 2019 Legislature got to vote on union contracts...
CT LEGISLATURE IN SESSION MONDAY JULY 31, 2017? SENATE TO DO UNION CONTRACT...
CARTOON ABOVE MAY BE ONE THOUGHT PROCESS FOR C.G.A.
Mirror,
mirror on the wall, who's budget is the the most dishonest of them
all? "Not including the Governor's.?" asks the Speaker...
Preview
L O N G S E S S I O N 2 0 1 7; ' S H O R T ' S E S S IO N 2 0 1 8.
How do CT's 169 towns resemble a pig pen? Lots of
squealing to come this Session. "Top down" illustration (c).
Cities' ideas guy (r)? Like a broken record department: https://ctmirror.org/2017/04/03/lembo-ofa-project-ct-budget-deficit-malloy-does-not/
Aetna moving out of CT to NYC mentioned...is CT falling apart at the seams???
LEGISLATIVE
WRAP UP June 29, 2017 at Cannon Grange in Wilton: Last question -
can't legislators in CT work together better than the U.S. Congress?
Always
interesting to observe these events "out of town" - in this case,
Wilton. We share Senator Boucher. Cannon Grange a fine spot, with a
natural warmth and simplicity. Antithesis of Capitol - ornate, red
plush wood paneled, gilded, marble/limestone, designed landscape. The
question of how CT handles union negotiations as compared to other
states was asked. Answer included the comment that the Legislature
could vote to change the present method made.
Our State
Legislators will be in Weston (Rep. Dunsby, Senators Hwang and Boucher)
at Weston Public Library from 6pm to 7:30pm on July 11th (a Tuesday).
CCM credibility out the window. Or was he actually being sarcastic?
Anyone who would quote from a movie about lying, bullying and murder in
the Marine Corps, (in his opening paragraph) should not be considered a
serious player. Unless, of course, he meant to imply that the
Democrats are represented by Jack Nicholson's character.
INQUIRING MINDS ASK...
Q: WHY ARE BEACH SERVICES NON-ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN NJ? http://nypost.com/2017/07/01/christie-orders-government-shutdown-amid-failed-budget-talks/
Another opinion/source: http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/07/budget_blame_game_christie_says_he_cant_sign_a_bud.html#incart_river_index
A #1: BECAUSE
THE NJ GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE ARE OF OPPOSITE PARTIES - BUT WAIT A
MINUTE, THIS MEANS CT DEMOCRATS CAN'T GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER...OR...
A #2: BECAUSE
THE CT GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE ARE BETTING THAT THE UNIONS - MAKE THAT
AFSCME - WILL APPROVED THE DEAL TO EXTEND THEIR CONTRACT INTO THE
FUTURE YET AGAIN???
THERE ARE MANY IRATE WRITERS TODAY!
The above reference (that I first heard many many years ago) pops up at the very end of the 28 minute press conference wherein the Governor announces his signing of the Executive Order.
From The DAY: http://www.theday.com/statenortheast/20170630/malloy-prepares-connecticut-for-life-without-new-state-budget
The full description of what is to happen from OPM: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/upload/2017/06/20170626_Executive_Order_Resource_Allocation_Plan_1.pdf
Someone we think who knows what he's talking about.
From one of his sources: http://www.pwc.com/us/en/public-sector/publications/state-financial-position-index.html
And my favorite paragraph from the CT MIRROR June 23, 2017 OP-ED:
And then there is Aetna...
2016 article below:
“Coming so soon after the layoffs at ESPN, this (Alexion’s job cuts) is
only going to cause more problems for Gov. (Dannel) Malloy,” Cadden
said.
Emperor's new clothes again? http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20170314/alexion-pharmaceuticals-in-new-haven-to-lay-off-210-employees
ARE YOU SURPRISED?
The State of Connecticut can't handle statewide emergency service calls: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/state_borrowing_poised_to_climb_to_2.1b_for_the_year/
Click above for latest bad news about CT Government...and our rocky finances. And forget about either impartial financial or research investigations, either. But what's this? Some good news on Pratt and Whitney: http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-middletown-leduc-pratt-and-whitney-0917-20160916-story.html
T H E C O N N E C T I C U T G E N E R A
L A S S E M B L Y , O U R L E G I S L A T U R E , A S R E P O R T E D B Y A B O U T W E S T O N . C O M - P . R . I . L I N K
"School's Out for Summer" at the Legislature, as Election 2016 begins in
earnest. Office of Legislative Research ("OLR") and Office of
Fiscal Analysis ("OFA") neutered. Who, or is that "moo?" Just politics in the "Land of Steady Habits."
2016: Chalk up another win for Executive Branch!
O M G C O N N E C T I C U
T A T H I R D W O R
L D C O U N T R Y O R C
A N W E B L A M E
J O H N R O W L A N D F O
R T H I S , T O O ?
M O R E S T U D Y G O I N G O N H E R E
FILLING IN THE BLANKS IN THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT:
Things we notice as they dribble out, Summer 2016:
---------------
An opinion from NOT-A-REPUBLICAN -see "disclosure"
Thumbs Down On The SEEC Settlement With State Dems
Dan Klau CT Good Governance Blog
June 17, 2016
Earlier this week the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC)
settled a long-running, high-profile case involving the Connecticut
Democratic Party (CDP). Although the terms of the settlement are
commendable in many respects–including imposing the largest election law
violation fine (excuse me, “voluntary payment”) in state history–the
SEEC exercised poor judgment in deciding to settle the case. Rightly or
wrongly, justly or unjustly, the settlement creates the appearance that a
major political party in Connecticut can “buy” its way out of an
embarrassing investigation by the chief regulator of our state campaign
finance laws. [Disclosure: I am a Democrat and have contributed to the
CDP in the past.]...story in full: https://ctgoodgov.com/2016/06/17/thumbs-down-on-the-seec-settlement-with-state-dems/
FOR YOUR RESEARCH PURPOSES PRIOR TO LONG SESSION 2017
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Friction-over-unclaimed-bodies-8323805.php
http://www.courant.com/business/hc-met-life-n-c--20160625-story.html
http://ctmirror.org/2016/06/10/sharkey-calls-for-wades-recusal-but-malloy-sees-no-conflict/
http://ctmirror.org/2016/05/19/aresimowicz-challenging-path-as-house-leader-and-union-man/
ttp://ctmirror.org/2016/01/19/transportation-advocates-say-widening-i-95-wont-ease-congestion/
http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/op-ed_failed_leadership_taxes_contempt_ushered_ge_out_the_door/
http://ctmirror.org/2016/01/15/eroding-income-tax-receipts-undo-much-of-decembers-state-budget-repairs/
http://ctmirror.org/2016/01/11/borrowing-to-pay-off-debt-could-poke-new-holes-in-cts-budget/
----------------------
Link to C.G.A. website for lots of things including tracking bills. New page for the (Feb. 3) Short Session 2016;
A D V I S O R Y C O M M I S S
I O N O N I N T E R G O V E R N M E N
T A L R E L A T I O N S
So what's up? Will they be carrying water for the
Governor? We'll see!!! After listen to it from beginning to
end, my thought is they might just be "disappeared!"
T H E P L A Y - - B Y - - P L A Y
A.C.I.R.
MEETING ON CT-N! "WIN-WIN" IS A JOKE IN CT. ACIR GROWS A
PAIR!!! WATCH WHAT HAPPENS...THEY WANT TO MEET EVERY MONTH DURING
SESSION
Begins
3 minutes late. Session Mandates report. They don't know how long
they have been doing mandate report! Since Sonja Googins. (And we
note after that happened, once the Legislature found out they were
supposed to wait to get ACIR's opinion, they changed the law next
Session.)
New Chair. Dave LeVasseur still at OPM and this
guy's boss. "Do they want to meet more often?" Partnerships with other
agencies? Duplication - M.O.R.E. Commission members never heard of
ACIR.
CCM State-Local partnership - Regional recommendations no yet ready (next week?).
ONE TOPIC:
De-institutionalization. COG by COG beat down. Tax-exempt clustered. Housing - "sober housing" distribution.
OPM staff working on State Plan of C&D not available. M.O.R.E. Commission??? What's up?
A.C.I.R. Reports
The
first we participated in a program in Weston; the second we
videotaped. And we did many others, too. By now, in "legacy media" -
S-VHS and online w/Windows Media Player.
Jim
O'Leary remembers ACIR having done a whole lot and met once a month.
Asks for info. because he doesn't have it in one place. We have it all but are no longer a member of the organization. However, we will try to find recordings of "Symposia" - such as "Better Use of a Hidden Asset" in 2004...
SECOND TOPIC
SPENDING CAP: Two and a half % cap - can't manage it. (Litchfield). MOTION TO LIFT OR REPEAL 21/2% CAP ON LOCAL BUDGET. YES
THIRD TOPIC
Scott Shanley takes government to task about LOCIP $$. MOTION AND SECONDED - make good on already approved grants. YES
REQUIRE OPINION FROM ACIR AS WELL AS OFA AND OLR - no vote.
FOURTH TOPIC
MOTION ON HEALTH DISTRICTS TO OPPOSE IT AS PROPOSED now - Unan.
WATERBURY MAYOR SCHOOL FUNDING comment.
-------
ACIR will be meeting Fridays each month of the Session (as Jim O'Leary pointed out had been the case in the past).
VROOM, VROOM. KEEP IN THE DARK ABOUT REAL FINANCES
Don't you think Governor Malloy
looks a lot like former Governor Rowland? Spending Cap Commission
meets Wednesday, May 25, 2015...IMPLEMENTER makes them moot? Transparency = proving the point?
"Less is more" indeed! 
... M.O.R.E.
Commission link...and "CT 21st Century" (begun by former Gov. Rowland) planning, which, if the latest
economic study appears to say, is stalling. .
------------
SURPRISE!!! Somebody figured out that the Native American agreements didn't apply to non-tribal lands, perhaps?
NEWS
FROM THE LEGISLATURE: Gotta read this op-ed on "shooting craps"
(this website's name for present government at the top).
FROM CT MIRROR:
And coming in 2017...http://ctmirror.org/2016/03/22/estate-tax-measure-offers-preview-of-2017-state-tax-debate/
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY? PROVERBIAL "RATS DESERTING A SINKING SHIP" NO RELATION TO THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE STORY
CHECK OUT OUR #4 RANKING NATIONALLY...FOR OUT-MIGRATION!
LOTS OF NEW YEAR'S PREDICTIONS...HOW ABOUT WHEN THE CCJEF LAWSUIT WILL BE DECIDED? S.E.E.C. V. CT DEMS RESOLVED BEFORE ELECTION DAY 2016?
WHEN THERE IS A SESSION, SPECIAL OR OTHERWISE, THERE IS NEWS. OTHERWISE IT IS POLITICS.
More M.O.R.E. and even more of that - Education Task Forces; "B.E.S.T." efffort initiated by CCM;
CONNECTICUT
NETWORK ("CT-N") programs we watched. And original graphic links for
Governor's Transportation Panel (l) and CT Tax Panel (r) - we have
followed both throughout 2015!
BUDGET WATCH FY16
Spending cap? What spending cap??? News from the CT MIRROR, in this more recent article noting rising interest rates following: NO MORE SPENDING CAP 2/3 VOTE TO EXCEED
Barnes Expresses Regret Over 2014 Budget Comment
CTNEWSJUNKIE
by Christine Stuart | Nov 19, 2015 5:30am
Office of Policy and Management Secretary Ben Barnes told the
legislature’s two budget writing committees Wednesday that he regretted a
comment he made back in 2014 following the re-election of his boss,
Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. In a meeting with reporters back
in November 2014, Barnes said the state was in “a period of permanent
fiscal crisis...” - story in full: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/barnes_expresses_regret_over_2014_budget_comment/
------------------------
Democrats’ campaign finance cuts losing steam
By: Mark Pazniokas, CT MIRROR | November 19, 2015Few trial balloons at
the State Capitol have deflated as quickly as a proposal this week by
Democratic legislative leaders to save $11.7 million by suspending
Connecticut’s groundbreaking system of publicly financed campaigns...http://ctmirror.org/2015/11/19/democrats-campaign-finance-cuts-losing-steam/
AN ALTERNATIVE? DOES ANYONE HAVE ONE?
And are there alternatives to the Governor's suggestions on how to deal with deficits? One here: http://ctmirror.org/2015/11/06/nappier-find-a-less-radical-pension-fix-than-malloys-plan/
HOW THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SAID "THE DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK" - ONLY IN CT STATE GOVERNMENT CAN YOU GET DO-OVERS
CT MIRROR
Read the same story from other reporters' eyes: http://ctmirror.org/2015/10/19/malloy-calls-for-bipartisan-talks-as-budget-hole-deepens/
--------------
Smoke and...mirrors?
Fasano Questions Malloy's Budget Numbers, Says He Will Reveal GOP Proposals at Negotiation Table
Hartford Courant
Daniela Altimari
Oct. 19, 2015
Senate Republican Len Fasano said Monday he's pleased Democratic Gov.
Dannel P. Malloy has invited the GOP to be part of high-stakes budget
negotiations.
But Fasano and House Minority Leader Themis Klarides question the governor's numbers.
"We think the first thing we do when we get to the table, in my view, is
that we all have to agree what this budget deficit is," said Fasano,
R-North Haven. "You can't fix something...[when] you don't know what
you're trying to fix...story in full:
http://www.courant.com/politics/capitol-watch/hc-sen-len-fasano-says-budget-shortfall-nearly-double-malloys-estimate-20151019-story.html
GUESS WHAT? THE GOP WAS RIGHT ABOUT NEEDING A SPECIAL SESSION.
Form a Committee, hold a conference but heaven forbid call for a Special Session!
An Active Volcano
Out our hotel window, a graphic, in Seattle!!!
And then there is this item: http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-lender-legislators-travel-1011-20151010-column.html
-----------------------
No approval needed for union contract re-interpretation? READ ABOUT ISSUE HERE.
A new meaning to financially underwater...or a "shipwreck"
Bond Commission Poised To Purchase Amistad Replica
CTNEWSJUNKIE
by Christine Stuart | Sep 28, 2015 1:15pm
...The state is also a creditor and could receive priority among
all creditors, providing reimbursement for some of the expense,
Gian-Carl Casa, undersecretary for legislative affairs at the Office of
Policy and Management, said.
“In the near future the plan is to keep the Amistad on land in order to
reduce operating costs and to use it for educational programs aimed at
K-12 students,” Casa said. “But the future of the Amistad will be
determined by Discovery Amistad Inc., and the ship may return to the
seas when finances and other opportunities permit.”
It’s currently located in Mystic Seaport where it will undergo repairs for a leak.
“The Amistad can help educate generations of Connecticut residents about
the evils of slavery and what it means, in a tangible way that even
children can understand,” Casa added. “For people outside of Connecticut
it is also a powerful symbol of the liberties and human dignity that
our state values.”
-------------------
REMEMBER THIS?
http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-yelmini-hearing-0625-20150624-story.html
Very stern rebuke to Yelmini lawyer, meanwhile parties are working out an agreement, we think.
-------------------
O.P.M. DATA COMMITTEE: September 24, 2015 - my bottom line...there
is no easy way to do it - "IT" being statistical uniformity. For
good reasons, too.
OPEN DATA PORTAL RULES DUMBING DOWN? WESLEYAN PROF GOOGLES - so we Googled "meta data" - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metadata
FWIW - The answer is a webpage with a link! Regional
districts a problem statistically - there must be a map the show the
geographies - but guess what?
RESCISSION: I can't wait until someone asks if executives will take pay cuts...HAH - it was the last question!
------------------
CAPITOL
NEWS BRIEFING: Special Session request...and now even the Democrats in
the Legislature are complaining about recisions...time for a Special
Session?
We
have also added this story on the continuing saga of health care
because CT is supposed to be ahead of everybody else...not so fast to
the promised land, big deficits ahead!
Malloy Tries To Help 6 Hospitals, But Legislative Leaders Aren’t Impressed
CTNEWSJUNKIE
by Christine Stuart | Oct 9, 2015 3:21pm
"...Senate President Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said he appreciates
that the governor listened to Democratic lawmakers and took “a first
step in reversing these ill-conceived and devastating cuts to our
community hospitals.”
"However, he said 'the restorations cannot end here. These cuts will
have a multiplier effect — jeopardizing federal reimbursements — adding
to my concerns about the financial viability of the smaller,
community-based hospitals.'
"House Speaker Brendan Sharkey echoed his remarks..."
Story in full: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/malloy_tries_to_help_6_hospitals_but_lawmakers_arent_impressed/
----------------------
SURPRISE ON OCTOBER 1ST!
Despite Malloy’s assurances, last CT budget closes in deficit: http://ctmirror.org/2015/09/30/despite-malloys-assurances-last-ct-budget-closes-in-deficit/
By: Keith M. Phaneuf, CT MIRROR
September 30, 2015
Malloy’s Emergency Budget Cuts Face Growing Bipartisan Opposition
by Elizabeth Regan, CTNEWSJUNKIE
Sep 30, 2015 3:41pm
For the first time we, About Weston, can recall, an entity that needs help from CT speaks out: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/malloys_emergency_budget_cuts_face_growing_bipartisan_opposition/
------------------
Previously, as "veto" override session took place this summer...
"...Leaders of the Democratic majorities announced Friday that there
wasn’t enough support in either chamber for an override. The only bill
expected to possibly be under consideration was a vetoed measure that
would require education commissioners to have experience as a teacher
and school administrator. The legislation, sought by labor unions, was a
reaction to teachers’ displeasure with Malloy’s first commissioner,
Stefan Pryor, whose primary education credential was as a co-founder of a
charter school in Connecticut but whose career was in economic
development positions.
"But while House Republicans, who control just 64 out of 151 seats,
knew they lacked the numbers to secure an override, they recognized
Monday morning that they did have the right total for something else.
"The GOP had 46 members present at Monday’s veto session, while only
37 of the chamber’s 87 Democrats attended. And it takes only a simple
majority of those present effectively to amend the agenda and force a
debate.
"House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, then moved to debate
the bill, and House Speaker J. Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, deemed it
approved after waiting for any objections from the floor.
"Klarides said it was important to discuss the education bill Malloy
had rejected, even if that was all that was accomplished Monday..."
1 in 5 are
Medicaid patients in CT. Do you think there will be one?
Point made was that CT cuts would result in loss of Federal $$
Heart and hypertension will be impacted: http://www.ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=11996
MEETINGS OF THIS GROUP NOW ON CT-N
Conference Call minutes added to agenda and
approved - "educational technology" staff hiring - for $2 dollars?
Nope. But no one mentioned a six figure salary, we think.
It was a 10.6% budget reduction. CT Education Network may be
looking for revenue options. Budget may have to be reduced by 5%
for next year...best thing in government, IIAC.
And local leaders in the part of "improvement" wonder...
LAST MINUTES ON FILE FROM 2017
https://www.cga.ct.gov/fin/taskforce.asp?TF=20150904_Commission%20on%20Economic%20Competitiveness
I guess they decided to punt to others?
Seemingly operated at the Governor's will, or maybe the Legislature's? AND NOW POST ELECTION 2016...
MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED - http://www.aboutweston.com/CTtwentyfirsteconlanduse2003.pdf
BEGAN AT 10am Friday, December 1, 2017
WE MISSED VERY FIRST PART INITIALLY...
Worker training, competitiveness. "4x4" concept (?).
UPON WATCHING ON DEMAND WE LEARNED THAT THEY HAD CHOSEN PREVIOUSLY TO EMPHASIZE MANUFACTURING
Some very interesting data from D.E.C.D. in support. Exports of military and
aerospace products from Connecticut industries to the global market - we
are #2 behind Washington State.
THIS IS A N ARGUMENT FOR STATE TAKEOVER OF K-12 EDUCATION WE THOUGHT
Emphasis on community colleges. And moving job training even to middle
schools. Local schools need to encourage technical
educations. Trends in manufacturing - Hill House has technical training. "What's in it for the poor?"
NOW IT IS A MATTER OF INTRA-DEM COMPETITION ON THE POLITICAL POWER FRONT...
TOURISM DISCUSSION ROUNDS OUT COMMISSION MEETING...A NEW
ENTITY CREATED BY LEGISLATURE (R). WORKING GROUP ON PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TAKES
THE FLOOR...
FWIW - No WC on the Merritt Parkway - welcome to CT! CT15, after 3:30pm in the afternoon "CT A PLACE TO "P.".
D.E.C.D. .presents to "working group" on same subject or is it public-private partnerships???
WORKSHOP OF RECYCLED IDEAS
When the workshop deteriorated into more shooting the breeze,not turning
on microphone is an example of this characteristic, I stopped watching -
@2:30pm..
FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH THE PERFECT DAY FOR THIS MEETING.
NEXT MEETING IN NOVEMBER - REP. TONG (R) CHAIRS. THIS MEETING
-
Clusters
of manufacturing.
- A bit
over an hour.
- Heath.
- Commissioner of DECD speaks (top row) including report on Amazon.
- Organizing for another meeting. And beyond.
BUY IN. ALSO BUY A LOTTERY TICKET - or maybe they have
enough money...new State Senator (former First Selectman) says no way to
sub-committees..
HOW TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING?
WHAT RESOURCES DOES THIS COMMITTEE HAVE? $750,000.
Commissioner Smith, Sullivan. SUB-COMMITTEES suck.
"Inclusive and productive" an oxymoronic.
WHAT DO WE WANT TO FOCUS ON? Use CT Tax Commission, CT Spending Cap.
We will watch this meeting in full
later - but we note that the speaker to introduce others from the Boston
Fed specifically explained this was for low income communities.
Chair. of Commission stated that this Commission is focused on
cities. To that end, he introduces four mayors of cities in the
audience or their representatives: Litchfield, Bridgeport, Meriden and New Milford.
First hour done...more to come...
FORM A COMMITTEE...
And another gift from the IMPLEMENTER...Rep. Tong mentions that they are starting on time.
-------------------------
Kicking in Oct. 1, look what else we found in the IMPLEMENTER!
Sec. 104. Subdivision (57) of section 12-81 of the general statutes is
amended by adding subparagraph (F) as follows (Effective from passage):
(NEW) (F) For assessment years commencing on and after October 1, 2015,
any municipality may, by vote of its legislative body or, in a
municipality where the legislative body is a town meeting, by vote of
the board of selectmen, abate up to one hundred per cent of the property
taxes due for any tax year, for not longer than the term of the power
purchase agreement, with respect to any Class I renewable energy source,
as defined in section 16-1, as amended by this act, that is the subject
of such power purchase agreement approved by the Public Utilities
Regulatory Authority pursuant to section 16a-3f.
Sec. 106. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015, and applicable to assessment
years commencing on or after October 1, 2015) Any municipality may, by
vote of its legislative body or, in a municipality where the legislative
body is a town meeting, by vote of the board of selectmen, abate up to
one hundred per cent of the property taxes due for any tax year, for not
more than twenty-five tax years, with respect to personal property of
any gas company, as defined in section 16-1 of the general statutes, as
amended by this act, in order to facilitate natural gas expansion
projects in such municipality. The gas company shall include the amount
of such abatement when calculating the hurdle rate pursuant to section
16-19ww of the general statutes for gas expansion projects within such
municipality.
Executive Branch: http://portal.ct.gov/
"Green" promised to Aer Lingus: http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-windsor-locks-aer-lingus-bradley-dublin-1022-20151021-story.html
LINK TO COMPTROLLER NEWS
Architect Of Titanic Higher Ed Fiasco Will Steer Ship
Hartford Courant
Colin McEnroe
Sept. 11, 2015
Mark Ojakian is one of the nicest guys in state government. Everybody
likes him, including me. Roberta Willis is a state representative. Like
Ojakian, she's a Democrat, and she's a pretty tough cookie.
That's why eyebrows went up back in 2011, when a Hearst Newspapers
special report on the new Malloy administration recounted how aides were
teasing Ojakian about Willis, saying he "made her cry."
It wasn't quite true. Ojakian was Malloy's point man for a
reorganization of higher education, a reorganization that has turned out
to be a flaming, stinking, money-wasting, morale-crushing fiasco.
Willis had the audacity, at the time, to say it was a bad idea, and
Ojakian happened to be in the room when the disrespect, arm-breaking and
power-brokering by her mostly male colleagues finally got to her, and
she wept...story in full: http://www.courant.com/opinion/op-ed/hc-op-mcenroe-ojakian-wrong-man-for-higher-ed-job-0913-20150910-column.html
-------------------
What is D.E.C.D. up to lately? Will G.E. be convinced by this presentation? Story here: http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/State-uses-photo-of-competitor-s-jet-engine-in-6484254.php
"Witt Associates' TWO STORMS REPORT 2011" now available at this link: http://www.wittobriens.com/external/content/document/2000/1883982/1/CT-Power-Restoration-Report-20111201-FINAL.pdf
“CTJS is not a dystopia and we are not ‘Clockwork Orange’,” Katz told
the committee referring to the 1962 novel by Anthony Burgess about a
subculture of extreme youth violence. Katz said that as of
Wednesday there were 68 boys at CJTS and 6 girls at the Pueblo
Unit...story in full: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/lawmakers_begin_examination_of_dcfs_secure_facilities/
Judicial Branch: http://www.jud.ct.gov/
No more death penalty in CT: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/connecticut_supreme_court_rules_death_penalty_unconstitutional/
WHAT HAPPENED THIS SUMMER ...AFTER THE LEGISLATURE COMPLETED SPECIAL SESSION IN JUNE. AND BESIDES M.O.R.E. COMMISSION?
Links to bills that passed that became effective July 1, 2015
(and link to those that became effective upon passage/signature): http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/aearchives/20150701ActsEffective.asp
State Tax Panel and how it relates to Weston: http://www.cga.ct.gov/fin/taskforce.asp?TF=20140929_State%20Tax%20Panel
Special Session over now for the
IMPLEMENTER bill #1502 as we think it passed (Hint: bills number
"7000" and up were in Implementer) - http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB-1502
News today from the Stamford ADVOCATE about G.M.O. labeling...http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/House-passes-bill-to-prevent-mandatory-GMO-6401836.php
During Monday's session we did research online: So far we've seen some interesting proposals - our favorites here. Annotated with links to OFA and OLR, CTNEWSJUNKIE on all actions taken to change the original #1502. CTNEWSJUNKIE, thanks for clearing up SB1 matter for me!
And these passed, too! M.O.R.E. Commission Sub-Committee met to discuss transport regional entities 7/14/15 - our notes here.
Raising the minimum wage, something the 2015 "$15" Legislature did in CT, we think; http://www.nber.org/papers/w4509
2
0 1 6 : N O W G O N E W
I T H T H E W I N
D T O B O S T O N . . .
GE’s ego bruised by tax spat with state
By Neil Vigdor, Stamford ADVOCATE
Updated 1:04 am, Saturday, September 19, 2015
Nothing personal, Connecticut. This whole relocation thing, it’s just business.
So goes the company line of General Electric.
But despite GE’s efforts to control the message in its spat with
Connecticut over corporate taxes, people behind the scenes say the
company’s ego has been bruised and that could hasten GE’s exit from the
state.
When the majority leader of the state House, Joe Aresimowicz, attempted
to bring levity to raising taxes on the rich back in June, the Berlin
Democrat’s rhetoric struck a nerve at GE, Hearst Connecticut Media has
learned.
“I guess the difference between a weekend on the yacht and a regular
trip to the grocery store — they can take a weekend off from the yacht,”
Aresimowicz said at the time...story in full:
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/GE-s-ego-bruised-by-tax-spat-with-state-6514875.php
A PENSION BIGGER THAN THE DEFICIT?
Although we don't necessarily think this way, a good piece about the financial implications of feather-bedding. http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-lender-ojakian-pension-boost-0906-20150905-column.html
ARE ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SPOTS IN WESTON?
PA 15-204—sHB 6034
Environment Committee
AN ACT AUTHORIZING BOW AND ARROW HUNTING ON CERTAIN PRIVATE PROPERTY ON SUNDAYS
SUMMARY: This act allows Sunday deer hunting with a bow and arrow on
private land in overpopulated deer management zones, as the Department
of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) determines. The law
prohibits any other type of Sunday hunting, and a violation is a class D
misdemeanor (see TABLE ON PENALTIES).
The Sunday deer hunting (1) must be in accordance with DEEP's wildlife
management principles and practices and (2) cannot take place within 40
yards of a blazed (clearly marked) hiking trail. The hunter must (1)
have the private landowner's written permission to hunt there and carry
it while hunting and (2) obtain the required DEEP permit to hunt deer
with a bow and arrow.
The act eliminates a provision that makes possessing a bow and arrow
outdoors on Sunday prima facie evidence of hunting in violation of the
Sunday hunting law.
The law requires the DEEP commissioner to adopt regulations establishing
standards for deer management and regulated areas for hunting deer with
a bow and arrow, among other things. DEEP has identified 13 deer
management zones throughout the state, and currently estimates that 11
of them are overpopulated (i. e. , with at least 20 deer per square
mile).
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2015
OLR Tracking: JLK; KD: VR; BS
Top legislative Republican wants 2012 research Malloy used on death-penalty repeal
By Ken Dixon, Greenwich TIME
Published 2:00 pm, Monday, August 17, 2015
Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano on Monday asked Gov. Dannel P. Malloy
to give reasons for his 2012 stance that the repeal of the death penalty
would not affect the 11 murderers on Connecticut’s Death Row.
Malloy’s spokesman discounted Fasano’s request as political grandstanding.
“Based upon the Connecticut Supreme Court ruling made by an activist
court banning the death penalty, despite the clear intent of the
legislature to maintain the death penalty for those currently on death
row, including the Cheshire killers, and based on the strong dissent
which clearly explains how the majority of the court overstepped the
boundaries of our Constitution and purposely hijacked the role of
policymakers, I would like to better understand how you came to your
conclusion in 2012 that this very situation would not happen,” Fasano
said in a letter to the governor.
“In 2012, you emphatically guaranteed that the death penalty repeal bill
would in no way be retroactive...” Story in full: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Top-legislative-Republican-wants-2012-research-6448924.php
----------------------
And on another front, another "use it or lose it" this time in terms of experienced staff candidates:
Lawmakers seeking to change pension rule told to write a letter
CT MIRROR
By: Keith M. Phaneuf | August 13, 2015
Six legislators hoping to ask a state retirement panel – in person – to
effectively rewrite municipal retirement rules in a way Gov. Dannel P.
Malloy prevented last month – will have to settle for writing a letter.
State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman Peter Adomeit informed
the legislators, five Democrats and one Republican, that their
appearance would constitute an improper intervention in a specific
retirement case that’s been the focus of partisan debate for more than
two years.
But the legislators, located along Connecticut’s south-central
shoreline, insisted Thursday they aren’t trying to intervene in any
specific case. Rather, they said, they want the commission to ensure
that municipal pension recipients are free to pursue work in other
communities without delaying or suspending their pension payments.
Currently, retirees receiving a pension through the Municipal Employees
Retirement System – which is administered by the state – cannot continue
to do so if they go back to work more than 20 hours per week or 90 days
per year in any other city or town that participates in the system. A
bill passed last spring, but vetoed by the governor, would have ended
that restriction...story in full: http://ctmirror.org/2015/08/13/lawmakers-seeking-to-change-pension-rule-told-to-write-a-letter/
Election agency files suit against Democrats
By Ken Dixon, Greenwich TIME
Published 1:03 am, Saturday, August 8, 2015
HARTFORD — The State Elections Enforcement Commission filed a lawsuit
against the Democratic State Central Committee on Thursday in an attempt
to force the party to surrender records on its use of a federal account
that helped fund the endgame of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s 2014
re-election campaign.
Democrats have resisted a May subpoena from the SEEC in connection with a
complaint by state Republicans in the final weeks of the fall campaign,
over tens of thousands of dollars from the Democratic State Central
Committee’s federal account that was used to supplement the $6.25
million Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman received in public financing. In
particular, federal funding paid for a pro-Malloy mailing that
Democrats say is protected under federal law because it included
directions on where voters could cast ballots...story in full: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Election-agency-files-suit-against-Democrats-6432440.php
State Dpt of Labor will lay off 95
ADVOCATE
Ken Dixon
Published 11:16 am, Wednesday, August 5, 2015
HARTFORD — The state’s decrease in the unemployment rate will
result in nearly 100 job losses in the state Department of Labor because
of a cutback in federal funding...
Story in full: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/State-Dpt-of-Labor-will-lay-off-95-6426293.php
From OFA: So how does this affect dying in CT?
IMPLEMENTER: Notes section §§ 456-467, & 531 — PROBATE
FEES: The bill makes various changes affecting Probate Court fees,
including raising various fees, establishing new fees, and eliminating
the cap on maximum fees for settling an estate; § 130 — PROBATE COURT
ADMINISTRATION FUND: Under current law, if there is a balance in the
Probate Court Administration Fund on June 30 exceeding 15% of its
authorized expenditures in the coming fiscal year, that excess is
transferred to the General Fund. The bill overrides this provision for
FY 15, by requiring any balance in the Probate Court Administration Fund
on June 30, 2015 to remain in that fund. EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
New CT budget gets mixed reviews from Wall Street
CT MIRROR
By: Keith M. Phaneuf | August 4, 2015
The state’s new biennial budget is getting mixed reviews from Wall Street’s credit rating agencies.
The four organizations that rate Connecticut’s creditworthiness praised
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the legislature for adopting a $40.3 billion,
two-year plan that is balanced – albeit “narrowly” – with few one-time
revenues.
But the agencies also noted that Connecticut continues to struggle with
“tepid” revenue growth and a small reserve that leaves the state
vulnerable to “future fiscal shocks.”
The agencies all reaffirmed their respective, healthy bond ratings for Connecticut.
And while Fitch Ratings upgraded its outlook for Connecticut from
negative to stable – matching stable outlooks offered by Kroll and by
Moody’s Investors Service – Standard & Poor’s maintained the
negative outlook it first placed on Connecticut back in March.
...Connecticut still faces big annual increases in the coming
decade to meet its obligations to worker retirement benefits, and its
bonded debt – used to finance major capital projects, but also sometimes
to support operating budget costs – also was cited as a growing concern
in several reports.
“Connecticut is a frequent borrower, and the state’s debt per capita and
debt-to-personal income ranked first and second, respectively, among
the 50 states." Moody’s wrote.
And Connecticut’s net taxpayer support debt of $5,491 per person, or 9
percent of personal income, is well over the national median of $1,054
per capita and 2.6 percent of personal income, according to Moody’s.
Story in full: http://ctmirror.org/2015/08/04/new-ct-budget-gets-mixed-reviews-from-wall-street/
Co-Chairs Bills Dyson and Nickerson...
CT STATE TAX PANEL MEETINGS WITH CONSULTANT ELECTRONICALLY AND THE PUBLIC CAN LISTEN IN: OUR NOTES HERE!!!
This is not the same thing as the State Transportation
Panel, with Cam Staples as Chair. and Emil Frankel very much leading
the way...which has been meeting in person at the L.O.B. with its
meetings online at CT-N.
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE NOW?
M.O.R.E. Commission a creature of House Democrats
http://www.housedems.ct.gov/more/
WHAT DID TUES. NOV. 17th REGIONAL ENTITIES MEETING DO?
Go direct to report from Regional Entities meeting:
M.O.R.E. more and more ideas about Education Funding...
Speaker Sharkey: MORE Municipal Subcommittee Meeting - this report expanded after viewing the first 30 minutes when online.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015, 10:00 AM, 1E - watched live from
10:35am on...until 12:07pm. Rep. Steinberg present. Rep.
Steinberg is Chair, of the full M.O.R.E. Commission. Watched on CT-N Tuesday, July 21st.
Public-Private Partnerships - our notes.
STORRS: "Building a Downtown From Scratch"
- Storrs population 15, 344
- SPECIAL DESIGN DISTRICT by P&Z, special regs. then 2008...
- R.E.I.T. (E.D.R. for residence upper floors). Day, Pitney lawyers.
- Town would do parking 600 space garage and
streets. Relocation for existing tenants. Developer ran
garage for 7 yrs. Overrun. More. E.D.R. leasing 300
spaces. $30 million issued but not on the town. 4% grand list
growth.
- Res/Commercial ratio before 85-15; after 75-25 (% of grand list). Town has to hire its own experts. Under statutes tax abatement - new owners want tax abatement, too.
QUESTION: #1 - What happened to stores that had to
relocate? #2 - Why a Special Design District instead of Village
District? (Questions from Gayle). Ans. #1 - Relocated or folks retired. #2 - It was recommended to us by consultants we hired (Day Pitney?).
WINDSOR (30,000 pop). In the last 7-8 years incremental tax
value. Adaptive reuse. Contributed public dollars for
clean-up. Tax-increment bonds would have been good. Had to
create a Redevelopment Authority. Hard to find volunteers without
conflicts. Special Improvement District used. Debt does not
apply to Town. 600 acres. Former Combustion Engineering
site. New act this session simplified it.
...How taxes are abated before full impact - Storrs Center.
Questions on types of stores in Storrs Center. Difficult to
attract tenants for clothing stores and retail.
Restaurants OK. Residential component. Smart Growth.
Taxes related to M.O.R.E. "shared" formula not asked, we think.
We have now watched the full meeting. "Public-Private
Partnerships" (which happens to be an area we have worked in previously
in our professional career) at that time will be further developed..
Preserving rural character. Dense center, rural outer land.
Filchak - why competing - town against town? Ans. Revenue
sharing. Windsor Locks guy refers to "Cannibal" effect.
Windsor train station - used as an example. Windsor is my example from website background from 2007 - story no longer online here.
Regionalizing Financial Management:
Board of Education shared facilities - facilities management.
IT department.
"Risk Management" coordinated. OUR NOTE: Weston does these things already.
Assumption of Liability - a tricky thing.
Madison (18,000): First Selectman
says his presentation similar - will answer questions (and he did, very
well).
Gayle asks about overworking staff during budget times? Ans.
Staff from joint finance departments only provide data, decisions and
presentations made by others.
Town - Board of Education
Combine budget management. Shared services committee to save
money. Board of Education felt their autonomy would be
compromised. Plainville (17,000) - outnumbered minority
Republicans took over on the issue of combining duties. Town Charter
revised for combined function. Pooling benefits. Offices
merged. Consolidated function so - no more "us v. them."
Openness between Town & School.
QUESTIONS: How does that work? Software costs?
How does one person prepare and defend both (Gayle)? Ans.
Retirements. Nobody lost jobs in the regional example given.
Weston Town Administrator also there. Sounds like Weston is ahead
of the game. NOTE: Town IT retirement made merging functions
possible on IT.
RETIREMENT
Comptroller's Office not available, said Southington Rep.,
Chair. of Retirement Sub-Committee, reporting at the end of the agenda.
Gayle then asks to be on
this sub-committee, as well as the one meeting today, too. Asks to have
Weston Town Administrator Tom Landry speak to retirement issue.
Tom says issues are: Contribution levels. State Employees
contract example. Actuarial: Vesting. Contribution
rate. Variations on a theme.
M.O.R.E. Municipal Sub-Committee will reconvene in February 2016 prior to new Session.
Fireworks at Veto Session? Yup.
The Senate just adjourned "sine die" 18-12 with no discussion
except for parliamentary procedure types of double-checking on the part
of the Lt. Gov.
The agenda...debated was this bill: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB06977&which_year=2015
It required to be overturned 2/3 votes of TOTAL House membership of 151; we watched the House actually have a debate
Watch it here: http://www.ctn.state.ct.us/ctnplayer.asp?odID=11784
M . O . R . E . M . O . R . E . after Special Session to pass Implementer. How did "sSB 1" turn out for addressing regional efficiencies? What's up on education efficiencies?
On CT-N: Immediately below, Rep. Brendan Sharkey, Speaker of the House.
REP. BRENDAN SHARKEY (C) NOW SPEAKER OF CT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
About Weston video/photo from Smart Growth bill signing in 2007 at
historic Windsor Train Station - an example of transit-oriented
development...education here.
Revised: http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/budget/comptrollerletter/fy2016/2015_sep_18_comptrollers_letter.pdf
Municipal groups: Cuts in aid by another name hurt just as much
By: Keith M. Phaneuf, CT MIRROR
September 21, 2015
Such a great story! This was penned shortly after Governor's preemptive strike on this own budget - http://ctmirror.org/2015/09/21/municipal-groups-cuts-in-aid-by-another-name-hurt-just-as-much/
And for an interesting story that may or may not be an
accurate interpretation of the original report, about envy and
statistical graph-play: http://ctbythenumbers.info/2015/09/20/youth-face-substantial-challenges-in-fairfield-county-report-reveals/
M.O.R.E. echo: CT Voices for Children puts Weston in a club of high
absentee rates equal to...Bridgeport! Read full report here:
http://www.ctvoices.org/sites/default/files/FCYouth.pdf
And by the way, CT Voices for Children is color blind - go try figuring out the graphs and maps!
Connecticut Voices for Children report
September 2014, on page 25, places Weston in the group "Very High
Opportunity" with Darien, New Canaan, Wilton, Easton and Westport
"Overall, with no disconnected youth or high school dropouts, children in Weston have high levels of opportunity."
BUT..."The percent of students who are chronically absent is
exceptionally high (13%), and third grade reading proficiency (79%) and
SAT/ACT participation (79%) are low given Weston’s
wealth."
Speaker Sharkey: M.O.R.E. Regional Entities Sub-committee Meeting
L.O.B.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015, 11:00 AM, 1D. It finished at 12:52pm - we watched online.
Representative Steinberg is the Co-Chair. of the M.O.R.E. Commission. CT-N replay coming later - we will add comments to our notes from the first half-hour after the CT-N upload.
Our notes from watching live online.
Regional aspects to Transit Districts
GUEST PRESENTATION Redeker & Sanders.
GOVERNANCE: What is CT in terms of transit? Compared to
NJ. 25% expansion of bus service "Let's Go CT!" State
overseen bus transport (Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, New Britain) -
3/4 of bus service in CT. Transit Districts do the rest.
Governance difference. 14 different transit districts.
Handicapped service private, too...
Commissioner Redeker of DOT sees importance of local input but
thinks centralized example worked better for CT transit. Bigger
staff of planners needed to be able to get data. Transit Districts
need to be expanded in area of service.
Sub-Committee Chair. Peggy Sayers: (Who thanked Rep.
Steinberg for attending..). Like the Port
Authority? Yes. Too many contracts to coordinate -
centralize. Later, Co-Chair. remarks from her earlier ...sidewalks
instead of open
space set-aside (P&Z), Surveys - 5 areas identified, including
Regional
Tax collector, regional revenue sharing. Next meeting of
sub-committee after Labor
Day.
Filchak: Very small transit district in his area - connections
to the outside world nil. Rep. Johnson: no way out either.
Casinos employ her people as other job/business disappear.
Sanders, Transit Administrator DOT: Coordinated COASTAL LINK as an
example of how transit has to work. Commissioner points out
"transit districts" are not the best model now. Too much $$ spent
on administration.
Westport: Jonathan Steinberg - Transit subsidy needed always, volunteers struggle...scheduling software needed (Redeker).
Glassman: Children, seniors? Marketplace could tell us how to do it - Redeker - nobody will give up control.
We think Redeker noted that one way to do it was via MANDATE: Portland, Oregon example...but you need density to begin with - School Bus question. Twenty percent over 65 in a couple of years.
Stamford Train station - an example of why public transit isn't the only type of transit and complications.
BUSWAY: "Branded" as "FASTTRAK." Coming soon:
CTride...CTrail...bus-rapid transit Bridgeport-Norwalk in the plans.
Wray - Ten minutes to a latte - senior tsunami, complete streets - all things to work on.
Bob Godfrey, Danbury legislator: connections a problem.
"What is tax policy if private companies have their own jitneys?"
No one looking at all the moving parts of transportation. "What
kind of a Czar do we need?"
Confirmation!
Sharkey’s Property Tax Legislation Rides Through in the Budget Implementer
CTNEWSJUNKIE
by Christine Stuart | Jul 9, 2015 2:53pm
A bill touted by House Speaker Brendan Sharkey that would put student
housing and new medical facilities acquired by large hospital networks
on the tax rolls for the first time was one of the many concepts buried
in a special session budget bill last week.
Its passage means that, as of October 2015, municipalities can levy
property taxes on any student housing that’s not considered a dormitory
and any new medical facility acquired by a hospital network that netted
patient revenue of $1.5 billion as of 2013.
“The affected private colleges and large hospitals are not your typical
small, struggling non-profits — they are large entities, nearly
indistinguishable from traditional private sector businesses, except
they don’t pay property taxes,” Sharkey said Wednesday in a statement.
“They put a strain on municipal services, but it’s the host town’s
families and businesses that must pick up the tab in the form of higher
property taxes. Under this new law, hard-working families and local
businesses will see property tax relief.”
But the Connecticut Hospital Association doesn’t exactly see it that way.
“Because they have a long tradition of providing free charitable care to
those in need 24 hours a day, a critical service that government
doesn’t provide, hospitals were granted a property tax exemption,”
Michele Sharp, a spokeswoman for the association said...story in
full: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/sharkeys_property_tax_legislation_rides_through_in_the_budget_implementer/
A state tax on a state fee? Seriously?
The Day
Published July 20. 2015 3:57PM
Updated July 21. 2015 9:54AM
In their desperate attempts to find revenue to balance budgets without
having to cut spending, Connecticut legislators have done some asinine
things, but the recent decision to impose a sales tax on the fees to
enter a state park may be the most outrageous policy decision yet.
If the idea was subjected to the normal rigors of the legislative
process — committee review, a public hearing, input from the agency to
be affected — there is no way such a sorry piece of policy would become
law...
Editorial in full: http://www.theday.com/editorials/20150720/a-state-tax-on-a-state-fee-seriously-
MORE...not the Commission, here...
Connecticut has long history of studying its competitiveness
By SUSAN HAIGH, Associated Press
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- When major employers Aetna and General Electric
recently claimed that proposed tax increases might force them to leave
Connecticut, state legislators turned to an old stand-by: They created a
commission. In fact, they recently created two similar
commissions - the Connecticut Competitiveness Council and the Commission
on Economic Competitiveness - within a span of a few weeks...
Story in full: http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CT_CONNECTICUT_COMPETITIVENESS_CTOL-?SITE=CTNHR&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-07-18-10-46-13
Board of Regents planning for departure of its president
CT MIRROR
By: Jacqueline Rabe Thomas | July 13, 2015
The Board of Regents for Higher Education, the governing board of the
state's largest public college system, is planning for the departure of
its embattled president, Gregory W. Gray. It is unclear if the board
intends to force his departure.
Gray has announced no plans to exit the college system that includes 12
community colleges, four regional Connecticut state universities and an
online college, but sources say the board is working to find an interim
successor as part of a transition plan...
Ojakian to leave as Malloy’s chief of staff
CT MIRROR
By: Mark Pazniokas | July 13, 2015
Mark Ojakian, the chief of staff to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy since
the second year of the Malloy administration, is stepping down. But he
may not be entirely departing: A source close to the governor said
Ojakian will remain "a close adviser," and his name already has surfaced
for an interim post...
Please search the CT MIRROR archives for the remainder of these stories.
Summer reading from a much earlier summer - is what made possible this year's Implementer?
"Smart Growth" from 2007 getting implemented in 2015 in a big way - "big" for CT! SWRPA/MPO event (r)
Windsor, CT held a T.O.D. ceremonial bill signing. M.O.R.E. such legislation in multi-hundred page Implementer here, too...
General Assembly Won’t Override Malloy’s Vetoes
CTNEWSJUNKIE
by Christine Stuart | Jul 17, 2015 12:36pm
Despite pressure from one of the teacher unions, House Speaker Brendan
Sharkey announced Friday that there wasn’t enough support to override
any of Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s nine vetoes.
“The general consensus among our members, and in light of some of the
governor’s concerns, is that these issues would be best re-looked at
during the next regular session, therefore we will not be scheduling any
override votes,” Sharkey said in a statement...story in full: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/general_assembly_wont_override_malloys_vetoes/#more
Connecticut’s Malloy could face veto override from fellow Democrats
By The Associated Press/New Haven REGISTER
Posted: 07/10/15, 1:18 PM EDT
HARTFORD >> For the first time, Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy
could face a real threat of one of his vetoes being overridden by fellow
Democrats in the General Assembly...
Rank-and-file lawmakers and groups including the state’s largest
teacher’s union and UConn students are putting pressure on legislative
leaders...Legislative leaders have not announced a date for considering
vetoes or whether they’ll attempt any overrides. Malloy continues to
sign bills.
Please search the New Haven REGISTER archives for the remainder of this story.
Malloy’s transportation plan could require another special legislative session
By Neil Vigdor, Danbury News-Times
Published 11:31 am, Friday, July 10, 2015
Lawmakers could get called back to Hartford for yet another special
session - this time to deal with a proposed constitutional amendment
creating a transportation lock-box...“The governor wants to get a
constitutional amendment done so we can protect that money for
transportation,” said Mark Bergman, a spokesman for Malloy. “It might
require a special session.”
The special session would take place in the fall if there is one.
Please search the Danbury News-Times archives for the remainder of this story.
Please re-read comments about C.B.I.A. Legislative Wrap-Up from July 2015, after Long Session...
SPECIAL SESSION DECEMBER 8, 2015 TO CONSIDER THESE MATTERS? http://ctmirror.org/2015/12/07/connecticuts-courtship-of-ge-goes-beyond-taxes/
November 28, 2015...http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CT_CONNECTICUT_UNIONS_CTOL-?SITE=CTNHR&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-11-28-09-34-52
"...Sharkey said he would like Malloy to ask the unions to reopen
the pension and health agreement reached with the State Employees
Bargaining Agent Coalition in 2011, especially given the state's
unfunded pension liability problems..."
LEGISLATIVE WRAP UP JUNE 15, 2016...
IN WESTON
More on taxes - Union contracts not under Legislative review: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/tax_attorneys_skeptical_of_election_year_budget/
LEGISLATIVE WRAP JULY 7, 2015, W-W CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and C.B.I.A. (AT WESTPORT LIBRARY)
Thank you, W-W Chamber of Commerce!
Tough first questions from the Chamber itself. Actually. preaching to the choir all around.
Weston's delegation( as well as Westport's) answered
question from the Chamber and the public. And we asked our
question: "Considering the need to deal with limited resources (as
several questions prior have suggested to be the case), since I believe
part of the state employee contract is open to re-examination as of
July 1, could you renegotiate it?" Jonathon Steinberg said "yes"
and the rest were very pleased I had asked this - and they pointed out
that there was a 30 day period in which to do it if the Legislature
wanted to have a say.
The Wall Street Journal article
"Worse Than Illinois: Connecticut Democrats are raising taxes
again after promising not to" from May 29, 2015 was referred to.
And a link to a column from CTNEWSJUNKIE op-ed contributor: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/op-ed_greece_puerto_rico_connecticut/
---------------
GOP Senate leader: Malloy, unions ducked legislature on pensions
CT MIRROR
By: Keith M. Phaneuf | August 7, 2015
The top Republican in the state Senate charged Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and
state employee unions Friday with making an end run around the
legislature to resolve a disability pension controversy that the state
auditors said may have cost Connecticut millions of dollars in improper
payments.
Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, also called upon
Democratic legislative leaders to insist Malloy submit the agreement
reached with unions – which endorses a more lenient standard for
awarding disability pensions – to the General Assembly for
consideration. The auditors also recommended the legislature consider
the issue.
“Untold millions of taxpayer dollars have already flown out the door in
unwarranted disability benefits for ineligible state government
retirees,” Fasano said. “Now, Governor Malloy has handed over
rule-making authority to state employee unions and said, ‘OK, go ahead
and write your own eligibility standards.’
“Can you say ‘conflict of interest'?” Story in full: http://ctmirror.org/2015/08/07/gop-senate-leader-malloy-unions-ducked-legislature-on-pensions/
----------------------
State, unions agree on more lenient disability-pension standard
CT MIRROR
By: Keith M. Phaneuf | August 6, 2015
A new agreement that restores a more lenient standard for awarding state
disability pensions will take effect immediately and won't be presented
to the General Assembly for consideration in 2016, Gov. Dannel P.
Malloy’s administration confirmed Thursday.
The agreement, signed by the governor’s chief labor negotiator and
ratified Thursday by state employee unions, is considered a
“clarification” of an existing labor-management practice, and
legislative approval is not required, both parties said.
That runs counter, though, to the recommendation of the state Auditors
of Public Accounts, John C. Geragosian and Robert M. Ward.
The auditors, who first notified Malloy in June of a “breakdown” in the
disability pension system that may have cost the state millions of
dollars in improper payments, had recommended that lawmakers rewrite the
pension statutes.
And Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo said Thursday that his office would
prepare for immediate implementation of the agreement, pending its own
review of the matter...
“I certainly am pleased they have come to an agreement,” Lembo said of the deal ratified on Thursday.
The comptroller declined to comment on the details of the agreement
other than to say, “We are in the process of reviewing the language.”
Story in full: http://ctmirror.org/2015/08/06/state-unions-agree-on-more-lenient-disability-pension-standard/
What is the latest on the Weston Public Safety Complex - we were reminded of this by the Hartford article below.
Will this relate to the Weston Public Safety Complex, an early visual above?
MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK: Is the State of CT not required to
follow this law? Are not all historic districts the same - and we
know that they aren't - so what does this all mean?
Historic District Commission in Hartford - is the State of Connecticut
exempt from local zoning and/or HDC regs? Read about it: http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-lender-malloy-roof-units-0705-20150704-column.html#page=2
Using Wikipedia, we found out that the Governor's Mansion dates from
1908 and is in the Georgian style - except it is basically a copy, so
this building is a "contributing building" in the Prospect Ave. Historic
District, and here is a map from Googling "Hartford Historic Districts"
that came up in the search: http://www.hartfordinfo.org/issues/wsd/History/historic_district_map.pdf
Back to the Implementer...the place where bills that are political poison revive for passage, apparently:
GENERAL ELECTRIC GIFT IN THE IMPLEMENTER?
And an even more surprising piece of perhaps news (we think we knew this already): http://www.courant.com/business/dan-haar/hc-haar-ge-tax-favor-from-malloy-20151117-column.html
------------------------
And YES the "car tax" in sSB1 found, never called during Session,
found its way to the Governor's desk (Sec. 506 of the Implementer)...http://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/TOB/S/2015SB-01502-R00-SB.htm
And also approved in this manner was, in Sec. 506, regional tax sharing:
The formula, to us, seems to favor Weston is two (2)
ways: First, thanks to our high mill rate we qualify,
theorhetically for more aid; second, thanks to not having sales
tax revenue to speak of ourselves, we would gain some $$ from
the rest of the region, if I understand the implications of this
bill! Do you think all 18 towns and cities in WCCOG will agree to
this? We have not included the verbiage for Town with higher than 32 mills here.
(e) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, and each fiscal
year thereafter, each regional council of governments shall receive a
regional services grant. No such council shall receive a grant for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, or any fiscal year thereafter, unless
the secretary approves a spending plan for such grant moneys submitted
by such council to the secretary on or before July 1, 2017, and annually
thereafter. The regional councils of governments shall use such grants
for planning purposes and to achieve efficiencies in the delivery of
municipal services by regionalizing such services, including, but not
limited to, region-wide consolidation of such services. Such
efficiencies shall not diminish the quality of such services. A
unanimous vote of the representatives of such council shall be required
for approval of any expenditure from such grant. On or before October 1,
2017, and biennially thereafter, each such council shall submit a
report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing
committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating
to planning and development and finance, revenue and bonding. Such
report shall summarize expenditure of such grants and provide
recommendations concerning the expansion, reduction or modification of
such grants.
(f) This is where the mill rates over 25 (read "Weston") gets the bonus!
(A) "For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2018] 2019, and each
fiscal year thereafter, each municipality shall receive a municipal
revenue sharing grant as follows: (1) (A) A municipality having a
mill rate at or above twenty-five shall receive the per capita
distribution or pro rata distribution, whichever is higher for such
municipality."
(B) Such grants shall be increased by a percentage calculated as follows: Sum
of per capita distribution amount for all municipalities having a mill
rate below twenty-five – pro rata distribution amount for all
municipalities having a mill rate below twenty-five. Sum of all grants to municipalities calculated pursuant to subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(C) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B)
of this subdivision, Hartford shall receive not more than 5.2 per cent
of the municipal revenue sharing grants distributed pursuant to this
subsection; Bridgeport shall receive not more than 4.5 per cent of the
municipal revenue sharing grants distributed pursuant to this
subsection; New Haven shall receive not more than 2.0 per cent of the
municipal revenue sharing grants distributed pursuant to this subsection
and Stamford shall receive not more than 2.8 per cent of the
equalization grants distributed pursuant to this subsection. Any excess
funds remaining after such reductions in payments to Hartford,
Bridgeport, New Haven and Stamford shall be distributed to all other
municipalities having a mill rate at or above twenty-five on a pro rata
basis according to the payment they receive pursuant to this
subdivision; and
(2) A municipality having a mill rate below twenty-five shall
receive the per capita distribution or pro rata distribution, whichever
is less for such municipality...
CAR TAX...
Not suited to car wash anyway...
Connecticut car wash owners revved up over new sales tax
By SUSAN HAIGH, Associated Press
Updated 12:01 pm, Saturday, July 11, 2015
MANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut car wash owners are revved up about
state lawmakers suddenly imposing a new sales tax on their services,
including coin-operated washes and vacuums, saying their machines can't
collect the 6.35 percent levy.
The association that represents about 100 family-owned car washes across
state wants the General Assembly to revisit the matter, concerned its
members will have to absorb the cost...story in full: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Connecticut-car-wash-owners-revved-up-over-new-6379058.php
Newly signed state budget changes funding for cities and towns
DAY
By Carlos Virgen
Published 07/02/2015 12:00 AM
The state budget signed into law Tuesday increases state funding for
cities and towns by $23.5 million in the 2015-16 fiscal year, which
begins today. In the map below, click on each city to see how much the
increase/decrease in state funding each city will be receiving...guess
which color is biggest increase? The Day credits data from CT
Mirror and the Office of Fiscal Analysis.
"SEWER AVOIDANCE" can mean what Weston has practiced...for 2 centuries!
AND IT PASSED!
Sewer avoidance areas to be required to be mapped in future Town Plans of Development - public hearing testimony: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/jfr/s/2015SB-01045-R00PD-JFR.htm
Waiting for the other shoe (locally controlled school districts subsumed into regions) to drop...see below.
EDUCATION: Achievement gap an issue as Congress considers new ed bill: http://ctmirror.org/2015/07/06/achievement-gap-an-issue-as-congress-considers-new-ed-bill/
In Implementer:
Sec 266
Strategic Master Plan for public education in CT: (b) The commission shall articulate a clear
vision and mission for developing a sustainable, equitable and high-quality
public education system that coordinates the components of education reform,
clarifies how such components of education reform work together and provides
every child with access to an educational experience that meets such child's
needs. The commission shall develop and recommend the implementation of a
strategic master plan to carry out such vision and mission.
(1) In
developing the strategic master plan, the commission shall address the
following issues: (A) How to better organize the state public education system
to streamline various and disparate mandates, initiatives and reforms that may
compete with the articulated vision and mission; (B) the manner in which the
public education system utilizes data and supports to inform and improve the
provision of education in the state; (C) the extent to which the accountability
system assesses the most worthy outcomes of public education; and (D) the
identification and analysis of the most significant factors that effect and
support the most worthy outcomes of public education for all students,
including, but not limited to, poverty, socioeconomic and racial isolation,
language barriers and parental engagement in a student's education.
(2) In
addressing the issues described in subdivision (1) of this subsection, the
commission shall consider: (A) What are the most worthy outcomes of public
education and what means can be taken to achieve such outcomes; (B) the extent
to which the public education system prepares students to meet the challenges
of work, citizenship and life upon graduation; (C) strategies to develop
state-wide education leadership goals and to enhance education leadership in
conformance with such goals; (D) ways to ensure effective communication and
partnership between school districts and the families of children who attend
public school in such school district, with particular focus on diversity; (E)
ways to share best practices within the public education system, including, but
not limited to, learning across methodologies, models and structures of
educational excellence; (F) what innovations are necessary to excel in both
competitiveness and character; (G) the extent to which the public education
system empowers students and educators to excel, innovate and build on
strengths; and (H) best practices that ensure high quality instruction and promote
continuous systemic improvement.
(3) The
commission shall also examine and recommend changes to funding policies,
practices and accountability in order to (A) align such funding policies,
practices and accountability with the strategic master plan, (B) ensure that
all school districts receive equitable funding from the state, and (C)
determine and recommend measures to promote the adoption of ways in which
resources can be most effectively utilized.
(c) (1) Not
later than April 15, 2016, the commission shall submit a preliminary report on
the development of the strategic master plan together with any recommendations
for appropriate legislation and funding to the Governor and the joint standing
committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
education and appropriations, in accordance with the provisions of section
11-4a of the general statutes.
(2) Not later
than February 15, 2017, the commission shall submit the strategic master plan,
including specific goals and benchmarks for implementation, together with any
recommendations for appropriate legislation and funding to the Governor and the
joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to education and appropriations, in accordance with the provisions of
section 11-4a of the general statutes. The commission shall terminate on the
date that it submits the strategic master plan or February 15, 2017, whichever
is later.
AN ACT
CONCERNING A LABOR AND FREE MARKET CAPITALISM CURRICULUM
SUMMARY: This
act requires the State Board of Education (SBE), within available
appropriations and using available materials, to assist and encourage local and
regional boards of education to include in their curricula (1) labor history
and law, including organized labor, the collective bargaining process, and
existing legal protections in the workplace; (2) the history and economics of
free-market capitalism and entrepreneurialism; and (3) the role of labor and
capitalism in developing the American and world economies.
By law, SBE
must similarly assist and encourage boards of education to include in their
curricula topics such as the Holocaust, the Great Famine in Ireland, and AfPA
15-155—sHB 6259
Planning and
Development Committee
AN ACT
CONCERNING THE BOUNDARIES OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
SUMMARY: This
act increases, from eight to nine, the maximum number of regional economic
development districts (REDD) that can be established in the state. By law,
regional planning and economic development organizations may establish REDDs to
coordinate economic development projects and prepare comprehensive economic
development strategies, which are required for certain types of federal
Economic Development Administration (EDA) assistance (e. g. , infrastructure
and business development assistance).
Under prior
law, REDDs had to either align (1) with at least one planning region's
boundaries or (2) to the extent practicable, with former county boundaries. The
act eliminates the latter option, thus requiring REDD boundaries to align with
at least one planning region's boundaries. Currently, there are nine planning
regions.
The act
eliminates the requirement that each REDD meet economic distress criteria
established in federal regulations (see BACKGROUND). It also makes a technical
change.
EFFECTIVE
DATE: October 1, 2015
BACKGROUND
Economic
Distress Criteria
Federal
regulations require recipients of certain types of EDA assistance to meet at
least one of the following economic distress criteria:
1. an
unemployment rate that is, for the most recent 24–month period for which data
are available, at least one percentage point above the national average unemployment
rate;
2. per capita
income that is, for the most recent period for which data are available, 80% or
less of the national average; or
3. a special
need, as determined by the EDA (13 CFR 301. 3 (a)(1)).
OLR Tracking:
JB: JO: VR: cmgrican-American History.
--30—
PA 15-220—SB
111
Public Health
Committee
General Law
Committee
AN ACT
CONCERNING SUSHI RICE
SUMMARY: This
act requires the public health (DPH) commissioner, by October 1, 2016 and in
consultation with the consumer protection commissioner, to adopt regulations
allowing the acidification of sushi rice as an alternative to temperature
control, under circumstances specified in the regulations. It allows
restaurants and catering establishments, if they conform to the regulations, to
use acidification instead of temperature control.
The act
allows the DPH commissioner to implement policies and procedures necessary to
administer these provisions while in the process of adopting them as
regulations, as long as she publishes notice of intent to adopt regulations on
the department's website and the eRegulations system within 20 days after
implementation. The policies and procedures are valid until the regulations are
adopted.
Existing
regulations establish time and temperature controls for potentially hazardous
foods. Subject to the local health director's approval and other conditions,
restaurants and catering establishments may leave these foods at room
temperature for a maximum of four hours (Conn. Agencies Reg. , §§ 19-13-B42(m),
19-13-B49(m), & 21a-101-7(n)).
EFFECTIVE
DATE: October 1, 2015
OLR Tracking:
JO; KD; TA; BS
Executive and Judicial Branches outside this website links found here.
OUR FAVORITES
We always thought this was the case - the "I didn't know" defense in action!!!
Judge Upholds New Rules Against Municipal Pension Double-Dipping
Hartford Courant
Jon Lender
January 4, 2016 8:07pm
In two cases involving double-dipping, a Superior Court judge Monday
upheld state retirement officials' denial of pension benefits to East
Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo and Hartford public works official Marilynn
Cruz-Aponte. Judge Carl J. Schuman dismissed separate lawsuits
that Maturo and Cruz-Aponte had filed in appeal of the Connecticut State
Employee Retirement Commission's denial of their requests to collect
pensions, based on past municipal service, while working full time in
new municipal government jobs...story in full: http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pension-court-decisions-0105-20160104-story.html
PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY
Very interesting, believe it or not! Hazardville, CT presents its
case December 30, 2015, attorney for PURA assigned to the case explains how confusing
small water company business is. Why? Because cost of audits
required make a nonsense of the assessment...on to a large company and
we didn't watch, but it seems that they had two staff attorneys assigned
(one to the case and one to watch the applicant's attorney - just
joking).
D.E.C.D. (Department of Economic and Community Development)
What's up? Link to interview Sept. 3, 2015: http://ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=11932
Comptroller's role - telling it like it is based upon OPM estimated numbers, we assume.
Lembo offers a detailed plan to cope with pension costs
CT MIRROR
By: Keith M. Phaneuf | January 14, 2016
...According to a series of actuarial runs included in the report, the
state would have to maintain annual pension payments in excess of $1
billion for eight years after 2033 — a time when Connecticut was
supposed to face costs well below that mark. For story in
full: http://ctmirror.org/2016/01/14/lembo-offers-a-detailed-plan-to-cope-with-pension-costs/
CT has a good savings plan — though its bank balance is modest
CT MIRROR
By: Keith M. Phaneuf | December 28, 2015
Despite having a relatively modest emergency budget reserve right now,
Connecticut's savings strategy is better than those in most states,
according to a new study by Pew Charitable Trusts...story in full:
http://ctmirror.org/2015/12/28/ct-has-a-good-savings-plan-though-its-bank-balance-is-modest/
" But Malloy and his fellow Democrats in the legislature’s
majority also have relied more on bonding to cover operating
costs."
State must cut its borrowing to avoid maxing out credit card
CT MIRROR
By: Keith M. Phaneuf and Jacqueline Rabe Thomas | December 21, 2015
Connecticut is on pace to exceed its credit card limit by more than
$320 million in two years — a projection that will tighten available
funding to build or renovate local schools, public colleges and state
buildings and to support various other projects in legislators'
districts. The legislature’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis
recently projected that the state government will exceed its statutory
bond cap by $320.5 million in the fiscal year that begins July 2017,
unless adjustments are made. The Office of Policy and Management,
the Executive Branch's fiscal arm, projects a similar overage at $325.6
million...story in full: http://ctmirror.org/2015/12/21/state-must-cut-its-borrowing-to-avoid-maxing-out-credit-card/
Lembo Offers More Traditional Approach To Pension Woes
CTNEWSJUNKIE
by Christine Stuart | Nov 17, 2015 1:30pm
...“We put forward a vetted report with 67 pages of research, data, and
details,” Gian-Carl Casa, undersecretary for legislative affairs at the
Office of Policy and Management, said. “The comptroller has issued a
press release that raises more questions than it answers...” See
CTNEWSJUNKIE for article in full.
Lembo joins dissent over Malloy’s emergency budget cuts
By: Keith M. Phaneuf, CT MIRROR
October 1, 2015
State Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo distanced himself Thursday from
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, calling his fellow Democrat’s emergency budget
cuts premature and warning they could harm the state’s economy.
“Spending cuts may be warranted – but the economic impact of cuts, in
this case mostly affecting hospitals, their most vulnerable patients and
surrounding communities, may warrant a brief pause until after the
state reaches its non-partisan consensus revenue forecast,” Lembo said.
Lembo, who was elected to two terms on statewide Democratic tickets led
by Malloy, used his monthly budget report to respond to $102.8 million
in cuts Malloy made two weeks ago. His unusual comments reflect the
significant reservations among Democrats about the governor's action...
Despite Malloy’s assurances, last CT budget closes in deficit
CT MIRROR
By: Keith M. Phaneuf | September 30, 2015
“...'The general fund ended Fiscal year [2014-]2015 with a deficit of
$113,168,010, which represents six-tenths of 1 percent of … budgeted
spending,' Lembo wrote Wednesday to Malloy. (Though the last fiscal year
ended three months ago, the comptroller doesn’t close the books until
late September, since certain tax receipts received over the summer are
applied to the prior budget.)
"Regardless of the deficit's size, Malloy insisted frequently last year
during his successful re-election campaign that 'there isn't going to be
a deficit.'..."
Story in full: http://ctmirror.org/2015/09/30/despite-malloys-assurances-last-ct-budget-closes-in-deficit/
Malloy plans $115 M in budget cuts
By Ken Dixon, Stamford ADVOCATE
Published 8:54 am, Friday, September 18, 2015
HARTFORD - Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, citing the recent plunges in the stock markets, will cut the state budget $115 million.
“I’ve decided to take the step very early in the fiscal year, of
announcing a series of rescissions,” Malloy said in an interview with
Hearst Connecticut Media. “It’s significant.”
Malloy said the budget reductions will not result in employee layoffs.
“Personnel lines had already taken a pretty big cut,” Malloy said.
Malloy declined to reveal the amount of the reductions...story in full: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Malloy-plans-115-M-in-budget-cuts-6513483.php
Lembo says Wall Street, other factors, could strain budget
CT MIRROR
By: Keith M. Phaneuf | September 1, 2015
Though the new state budget is just two months old, Connecticut’s
chief fiscal watchdog already is warning about several problems that
could push state finances into the red...story in full: http://ctmirror.org/2015/09/01/lembo-says-wall-street-other-factors-could-strain-new-state-budget/
During "Veto Sesson" July 20th, we listened to contrarian voice, who ended up being right!.
2016 Budget On Track To End With Small Surplus
CTNEWSJUNKIE
by Christine Stuart | Aug 26, 2015 5:30am
One month into the new 2016 fiscal year, Office of Policy and Management
Secretary Ben Barnes estimated that the state would end it next June
with an $800,000 surplus.
In his monthly letter to state Comptroller Kevin Lembo, Barnes wrote
that “at this time we project that both revenues and expenditures will
be consistent with the budget plan.”
However, he did note that administration officials have overestimated
the amount of revenue it will receive from licenses, permits, and fees
because those categories all ended 2015 below expectations. He said that
trend is likely to continue into 2016. Barnes also said the state
will be keeping a close eye on the revenue it anticipates from the
implementation of Keno...story in full: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/2016_budget_on_track_to_end_with_small_surplus/
Hon. M.Jodi Rell predecessor of Governor Malloy
