Sullivan vs. Rell

Lt. Governor Sullivan has some harsh words for Governor Rell. Some notable quotes from the Courant on his speech about Rell:

"When Rell proposed her $31 billion, two-year budget earlier this month, she said she did the best she could to preserve the social safety net. She did not include the back-to-back 4.5 percent cost-of-living raises that nonprofit organizations expected through a new "indexing" law that requires raises for workers under nonprofit contracts to equal raises given state union employees.Instead, Rell proposed a 4 percent increase next fiscal year and no cost of living adjustment the year after that to the nonprofit organizations hired by the state."

Rell Taking the Easy Road

There has recently been an investigation, conducted by the Pentagon, into Major General William A. Cugno, head of the Connecticut National Guard. It is thought that the Major General might have had an "improper relationship with a female subordinate" according to the Courant.

Jody Rell, however, has remained strangely silent on the issue, her office saying that it is "not a suitable subject for politics.'' Maybe it is not, but it appears that if there is corruption in the government, which includes the National Guard, it certainly is an issue that needs to be dealt with. Instead, Mrs. Rell decided that as long as she ignores it, maybe it will go away.

We need in Connecticut strong leaders who confront issues, not those who shirk away from them. While this hasn't been typical of Mrs. Rell's behavior, her conduct here of just simply trying to ignore something isn't for the good of Connecticut.

Dems Spending is Uncontrollable, but What Else Did You Expect?

Sometimes is seems like the Democrats in our state are unhinged. Take our lovable House Speaker Amann. For some reason, he sees it fit that Governor Rell should pass the Democrat's budget, even when it surpasses the spending cap. He offers no reason why it should exceed the cap, and instead attacks Rell for saying she will veto it.

The Courant article on this mentions, "Holding Rell's written statement aloft at a news conference, Amann dismissed it as "amateur hour" and vowed to quickly pass the Democratic budget proposal that would increase spending by 13 percent over the next two years. If she vetoes a budget, he said, Democrats would put another one right back before her."Let her veto it. Let her get carpal tunnel," Amann said, referring to the painful condition of the wrist often caused by repetitive motion. "I don't care.""

It is really unbelievable. There is no reason for the budget to surpass the spending cap, and it certainly doesn't qualify for the "extraordinary circumstances" clause needed to exceed the cap. Yet, Amann offers no explanation, and attacks Rell for his insatiable appetite for tax money.

Newton Investigation Continues...

The Courant is reporting some developments in the Newton Investigation:

"Federal officials are investigating whether state Sen. Ernest E. Newton II of Bridgeport acted in his official role to secure government funds for four community groups, including one that employs him, according to details learned Tuesday about a subpoena served at the state Capitol.

...

...Rep. Andrew M. Fleischmann of West Hartford became the first legislative Democrat to call for Newton to step down from his positions on both the public safety and judiciary committees. Fleischmann said he agrees with state Rep. Bill Hamzy, the state Republican chairman, that Newton should not serve on the public safety committee because it deals with sensitive issues involving the state police, gambling and homeland security."

Newton needs to step down. The Democrats will only be embarassed if he stays any longer, and following on the heels of Rowland, corruption is the last thing CT needs.

Dems Shamefully Target Simmons

Four years ago, CT Congressman Rob Simmons (R) though Tom DeLay was the target of unfair Democrats, so he wrote DeLay a $1,000 check for his legal defense fund. Since then, the Democrats, frantic to get Simmons out of a district that is well over 60% Democratic, have tried many tactics to besmirch his name. Now, Simmons is being targeted himself for being too close to DeLay.

Congressman Simmons is definitely too close to Tom DeLay,'' said Leslie O'Brien, Connecticut Democrats' executive director, according to the Courant.

This is another case of Democrats acting without common sense. Since when does a check, which is really only a drop in vast amounts of funds most politicans have, make one immediately a very good friend of another? Simmons was just doing what he believed was right, helping to protect someone's name from Democratic mud-slinging. Yet Democrats have, for some reason, focused on this to try and rally support against Simmons.

Indeed, who really cares if Simmons would be friends with DeLay? DeLay, while always the center of controversy, has acted the same or even better than some Democrats in Congress. Nancy Pelosi (D), for example, was cited by the Senate for improper activity regarding her campaign, yet Republicans haven't made an issue of it.

Simmons is one of the best men in the US Congress. Have gone to Haverford College, a small Quaker College, he had the option during the Vietnam Was of opting out because of religious status, noting his college's religious affliation to do that. While most of the students in the college were not Quaker, many did use that excuse to get out of service. Simmons, however, did not, and went on to become a member of the Special Forces in Vietnam. He would later go on to the CIA, and become the only known CIA member in Congress.

Simmons is a stand-up representative, and it is shameful that Democrats will stoop to such levels to try and get him out of office.

Possible Attorney General Candidate

The 2002 Lt. Gov. Democratic candidate George Jespen may be running for Attorney General.

A Courant article reports, "[Blumenthal] was comfortable with it. He gave me a green light to go ahead," Jepsen said...."I believe there is a legitimate possibility or even a probability [Blumenthal] will not seek a fifth term as attorney general," Jepsen said.

The question on many people's minds is whether Blumenthal will run for governor.

"Blumenthal said Monday he has no definite timetable for making a decision about 2006."I wish him well," he said of Jepsen. "It puts no pressure on me." (Source: Courant article)

Political talk at its best. Jespen will stand little chance if Blumenthal runs for Attorney General again as an incumbent.

Rell Lays out Plans for Budget

The full text from Rell's speech can be found here. Some of the highlights include:

"I am calling for a total gas tax increase of six cents - over the next 8 eight years. And this money will be used exclusively for these transportation projects. You'll see your pennies at work on the rails, at the airport and on our highways.

In the late 1990s we cut the gas tax by 14 cents. As I said, I am proposing to increase it by six cents - over a several year period. Even at its peak in 2013 at 31 cents a gallon, the gas tax will still be far lower than it was in 1997 at 39 cents.

I am also proposing a $1 surcharge, beginning in 2008, on all tickets for trips on the New Haven Line. The surcharge revenue will only be spent for the New Haven Line revitalization program. Let me repeat that - it will ONLY be spent for the rail car program and it will not go into effect until the new rail cars are put into service.

...

Under this plan, every nursing home in the state and the more than 350 nonprofit community providers would receive a four percent increase in their state funding.

Yes, we would impose a tax on private payers in the system now, and yes we would have to make a limited, narrow exception to the state spending cap. But doing so will allow us to receive matching federal funds and to stave off a potential health care crisis.

But let me be clear about this: if the federal government does not support this initiative with matching funds, I will not support it either."

Dodd Supports the President

President Bush's goal of restricting the power and influence a small amount of greedy lawyers can have over all America came to fruition with the passage of a Senate Bill that drastically limits how and where lawyers can file class-action suits.

It was finally passed, after languishing for seven years, 72-26. Dodd, typically a classic liberal who strongly supports trial lawyers, sided with the President in this bill and voted for it, like many of his fellow Democrats.

The bill will certainly help the American people and economy, and there will not be as much of a strain from lawsuits on corporations and individuals. However, it is interesting that Dodd voted for the bill. While about half of the Democrats did, Dodd is typically very liberal, and sided with the more moderate members of his party here. Is is because he really believes in the bill? Maybe. It is a risk for him to go against trial lawyers, which donate generously to him. However, it could be for more political reasons.

Dodd's name comes up again and again for possible Presidential candidates for the Dems, either in 2008 or in future elections. This bill easily could have come back to haunt him, as it has strong support in Red America. I'm glad he voted for the bill, but it seems so incongrous with his character that it almost seems suspicious.

CT Senate Supports Bill Helping Veterans

The bill would grant " in-state tuition for active duty military stationed in Connecticut at the community-technical colleges, the Connecticut State University System and The University of Connecticut. "

It is no surprise it passed, really. It had about fourty co-sponsors between the Senate and the House. Everyone is interested in helping veterans and appearing in support of our military. It's great that this translated into something like this bill, which not only helps veterans but makes sense. With the GI Bill, a similar program, it doesn't cover the full cost of an education, and it is strongly encouraged that, to take advantage of it, the soldier should use it after his/her military service. Now, those in the military can take some classes part time, for free. If they have the time, of course. Hopefully this joint effort of both Republicans and Democrats will pave the way to further cooperation and strong future military support.

The Purpose of this Blog

I've come to provide news and analysis of the politics of Connecticut. Also, by looking at information through a conservative lens, readers will be provided with a unique perspective, especially for Connecticut.