WINSTED — With less than a day before polls open, Democrats and Republicans continued 11th-hour campaigning over taxes and bonding, and voters weighed in on a heated race.
The race for seats on the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen has seen a flurry of last-minute activity from Democrats, Republicans and members of the Winsted Independent Party.
At a debate for the Board of Selectman last week, Democrats and Winsted Independent Party candidates criticized Republicans of fostering a partisan atmosphere by removing members of various boards and commissions on the basis of their political views, and bypassing the town charter while overspending budgets and whittling down the town’s fund balance to less than $800,000.
Republicans countered and said Democrats would increase taxes to pay for higher budgets and bonds.
Other debates have been held outside a public format.
Last week, Republican party leaders wrote an open letter to Schools Superintendent Blaise Salerno, claiming that officials implemented a controversial reconfiguration plan not to save money but to hide the fact that Hinsdale Elementary School students fared poorly on the Connecticut Mastery Test, a charge Salerno denied.
This past weekend, Democrats and Republicans traded criticism about a Republican campaign advertisement concerning a $42 million bonding package that was voted down two years ago.
The postcard campaign ad, which arrived at homes in town during the past week, depicts a distraught woman and accuses Democrats of wanting to spend, bring back the bonding package and raise taxes.
Democrats have cried foul over the mailings.
Selectman Candy Perez said the comments, originally made by Democratic nominee George Closson, had been taken out of context.
Perez, who is one of two Democrat Selectmen running for re-election, said the bond was a dead issue and Republicans were avoiding other problems in town, such as the town’s budget deficit.
"This is like swift boat adds," she said.
But on Monday, Mayor Kenneth Fracasso, the single Republican selectman running for re-nomination, said Democratic candidates had spoken in favor of the bond recently on a television program.
"They’ve been talking out of both sides of their mouth," Fracasso said.
Fracasso said Democrats contributed to a heated political atmosphere more than two years ago by branding five Republican selectmen a "Gang of Five."
How last minute campaigning will effect the race remains to be seen.
Interviews with a half-dozen voters in front of the Post Office on Main Street Monday afternoon offered a window into how the town’s 7,048 registered voters stand on issues like taxes and education after a two-year term marked by austere budgets, school reconfigruation that sent fifth-graders to Pearson Middle School and consolidated grades 1 through 4 at Hinsdale, and controversy over the town’s volunteer boards and commissions.
"The big issue for me is poor governance," Tony Angarano said of the Board of Selectmen.
Angarano said a key issue for him was Aurora Estates development, a controversial plan to build a 665 unit condo and active adult sudivision led by Oxford based real estate developer Anthony Silano. The company was recently sued by its lending bank.
"They promised that guy the sun, the moon, and the stars and of course it went belly up," Angarano said.
Gary Kopler, a voter and self-described Independent, said taxes were his biggest issue. "I pay too much of them," Koper said of his own tax burden, adding that taxes on his Highland Lake home were $11,000 a year.
Ruth Morholt, a voter who said she had recently moved from Canton, also said taxes were an issue — she’d like them to stay low. As for the political mailing, Morholt said she had received a postcard in the mail Monday but that she wasn’t paying much attention. "I don’t know what to make of this," she said.
Several voters said they wanted a change in "politics as usual" and an end to some of the fierce, heated political atmosphere that has resulted in lawsuits from Closson, the ousted chairman Planning and Zoning Commission, and a suit filed against the town by the three-member Civil Service Commission over alleged illegal appointments made by Town Manager Keith Robbins.
"I’d like to see less bickering on both boards," said lifelong resident David Paavola, standing next to his wife, Rosemarie Paavola. Both said funding for education was an issue — they would like to see more, albeit with less administration costs.
Ruthann Horvay, a coordinator at the Winsted Family Resource Center, said she was disappointed by the tone of debate on the Board of Selectman. "Civility is an issue for me," Horvay said.
Other voters said they thought this election was particularly important.
"We’re at a crossroads," resident Chris Battista said, adding that he had not decided which candidates to vote for.
Alex Taylor can be reached by e-mail at winsted@registercitizen.com.

TORRINGTON — Today city voters will choose one of three candidates to be Torrington’s mayor for the next four years.
Monday evening, just hours before residents head to the polls, volunteers finished last-minute campaigning for Mayor Ryan Bingham and challenger Samuel Slaiby.
Both Democratic and Republican town committees gathered at their respective headquarters, just feet apart from each other, as volunteers made phone calls to get the word out about Election Day.
Democratic mayoral candidate Samuel Slaiby was one of those people making calls. Seated at a table in front of a laptop, Slaiby, an attorney, remarked that he made 1,200 phone calls between Sunday and Monday.
Throughout the course of the campaign there have been "hundreds" of volunteers who have participated in one
capacity or another, Slaiby said.
"I feel very confident," the Democrat said, when asked about his thoughts on Election Day results.
He said some city residents, who identify themselves as Republicans, have come up to him in recent days saying they would vote for him.
"I sense that Torrington is really ready for a change," he said.
Slaiby, 63, said he regularly campaigns with other Democrats on the tickets, such as Board of Public Safety candidates Chris Cook and
Debra Brown and Board of Education member Michael Broverman.
He said he probably knocked on 3,000 to 4,000 doors.
Mayor Ryan Bingham, the incumbent Republican for the past four years, said he ordered 10,000 fliers that were passed out during the campaign. There are around 4,000 to 5,000 left, he said.
Bingham, 26, said he probably knocked on 3,500 to 5,000 doors throughout the city.
He did not specify the exact amount of phone calls made, although he remarked it was "a ton" throughout the last three months.
When asked about his chances, the mayor also expressed optimism.
"We’re confident, but it’s never in the bag," he said.
Independent candidate Thomas Iffland said he has been reaching out to voters in the city who did not vote in the last mayoral election.
Iffland said he knocked on "hundreds" of doors during his campaign around the city.
He said he feels "very good" about his chances to be
the city’s next mayor.
"I just hope that people will vote with the common sense, and vote for a businessman," Iffland said.
Both town parties are offering rides to anyone who needs to get to a polling station.
The Democratic headquarters can be reached at 482-7214 and the Republican headquarters can be reached at 618-2403.
Ronald DeRosa can be reached by e-mail at torrington
@registercitizen.com.

HARTFORD (AP)— When M. Jodi Rell took over as governor in 2004, replacing her former running mate John G. Rowland after he resigned amid a corruption scandal, she was seen by many Connecticut voters as a breath of fresh ethical air.
Over the past five years, they’ve continued to hold the Republican in high regard, citing in statewide polls her honesty and trustworthiness as her top attributes.
But in recent weeks, Rell — who has enjoyed some of the highest approval numbers in the country among governors — has found herself in the unusual position of defending her credibility.
"This is going at her biggest strength," said Douglas Schwartz, director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "People were so relieved after Rowland left office that they felt that they had someone as governor they could trust."
Several investigations have begun into the Rell administration’s hiring of a University of Connecticut professor to oversee a two-year, $220,000 project aimed at streamlining state government.
Democrats say e-mails first obtained by The Day of New London show that at least part of the work conducted by Professor Ken Dautrich, former director of the school’s polling institute, was done to help the governor politically.
Gary Rose, chairman of the Department of Government and Politics at Sacred Heart University, said he believes the controversy over Dautrich’s taxpayer-funded work, which included a focus group that was asked questions about Rell’s leadership style besides budget issues, could hurt Rell among voters — especially with the economy in recession.
"When people are upset generally with the state of affairs, something such as this ... it does become more of an issue," he said. "It looms larger than it would under different circumstances."
Rose said Rell has managed to deftly avoid the taint of scandal for years, even when her chief of staff, M. Lisa Moody, came under fire in 2006 for using of her state Capitol office to distribute invitations to a Rell campaign fundraiser.
"That’s the one thing about Jodi. She seemed to be above a lot of that in the minds of many people in this state, that she was not your typical political figure," he said.
"This casts some doubt on that," Rose said. "All of a sudden, there is that sense that, gosh, is she all that different?"
Nancy DiNardo, the chairwoman of the state Democrats went far as to accuse Rell last week of "not being truthful" about the intentions behind Dautrich’s work, citing inconsistencies about when Rell’s administration rejected a proposal from Dautrich to conduct a poll that included questions about potential political rivals in the 2010 election.

TORRINGTON — U.S. Senator Chris Dodd, D-CT, has apparently cancelled plans to come to Torrington on Sunday.Audrey Blondin, a local state Democratic Committee chairman, said there is not enough time in Dodd’s schedule to allow for a stop at the Democratic Town Committee headquarters as planned. Dodd was originally scheduled to pay a visit, along with a stop in Harwinton and Goshen.
Now Dodd will only make a stop in Harwinton on Sunday for a turkey roast on behalf of Democratic First Selectman Frank Chiaramonte at the home of Janet Duchaine and Jon Fauver, 215 Locust Road. The event will be from 2 to 5:30 p.m. The senator will be joined by Ned Lamont, a formal senatorial candidate.
Despite Dodd’s absence, Lamont is still expected to come to Torrington Democrats’ headquarters, 29 Main St., at 2 p.m. on Sunday, where he will stump for Samuel Slaiby, the city’s Democrat candidate for mayor, and a "get out the vote" rally.
In addition to the activities in Torrington and Harwinton on Sunday, state Treasurer Denise Nappier will join Comptroller Nancy Wyman along with Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy and Lamont for a meet and greet on behalf of the Goshen Democratic Town Committee.
That event will be at the Goshen Town Hall conference room, off of Route 64, from 2 to 4 p.m.
For more information on the Torrington event call (860) 489-8997. For more information on the Harwinton event call (860) 485-1836 and for more information on the Goshen event, call (860) 485-1836.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced that the federal ban on candy, fruit, and other flavored cigarettes will go into effect today. The ban comes as a result of legislation championed by Dodd, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which was signed into law in June.
“Cigarette companies used enticing flavors to lure children and teens to use their products for too long,” said Dodd. “Each year, 15,000 Connecticut children try cigarettes for the first time. This federal ban will put an end to the tobacco companies’ devious targeting of kids with cigarette flavors like chocolate, strawberry, and lime. It’s a major step towards ensuring that fewer kids try and become addicted to cigarettes in the future.”
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act empowers the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products, allowing the agency to take actions that will help prevent youth smoking and reduce the toll of illness and death caused by tobacco use.
Dodd, a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families, introduced the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act with Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and shepherded it through committee consideration and debate on the Senate floor.

TORRINGTON — A city Catholic church will host a "meet the candidates for mayor" session early in October, one of the five debates slated for this fall’s election season.
Republican incumbent Mayor Ryan Bingham, Democratic challenger Samuel Slaiby and independent candidate Tom Iffland Jr. are slated to attend the event, which will happen on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. The candidates will gather at St. Peter Hall, on East Main Street in Torrington, where they will present their platforms and respond to written questions from the audience.
Equal time is given to all candidates, the church said.
The event is presented by the Social Ministry Committee of the Torrington Cluster of Catholic Churches. Refreshments will be served, and for more information call (860) 482-9555.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) voted for legislation that makes the single largest investment in aid to help students and families pay for college in history -- and at no cost to taxpayers. The bill included an amendment offered by Murphy to allow states to use some of their funding to partner with local universities and colleges to create degree and training programs for early education teachers, just like they do now for K-12 teachers. Over the last few months, Murphy has met with parents, teachers, school administrators and others from Torrington and across northwest Connecticut who cited the lack of early education teaching degree programs as a barrier to finding enough highly qualified early education teachers in Connecticut.

“I believe that all of Connecticut’s young children deserve to be educated by a teacher who has both an academic background and real-world experience in early learning and development. Without the input of educators in Torrington, this amendment wouldn’t have been approved by the House of Representatives today. I get my best legislative ideas from people in Connecticut, and this one in particular will have a lasting impact on education in the state and around the country,” said Murphy.

The bill Murphy amended, The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), finds $87 billion in savings through simplifying the federal loan process, uses approximately $10 billion to help pay down the deficit, and directs the remaining funds toward Pell Grants, Perkins Loans, community colleges, and early education programs.

The bill converts all new federal student lending to the stable, effective and cost-efficient Direct Loan program instead of through lenders subsidized by taxpayers in the federally-guaranteed student loan program. Unlike the lender-based program, the Direct Loan program is entirely insulated from market swings and can therefore guarantee students access to low-cost federal college loans, in any economy.

It increases the maximum Pell Grant from $5,350 in 2009 to $5,550 in 2010 and $6,900 in 2019 and keeps interest rates low on subsidized federal student loans. In 2010 in Connecticut, there will be more than 12,000 students in Connecticut benefitting from Pell Grants. This bill will increase the amount of Pell Grant dollars available in Connecticut by more than $10 million.

Additionally, the bill simplifies the application process for federal loans, making it easier for families to apply. Building on proposals recently put forth by the Obama administration, the legislation will dramatically cut down the number of questions on the form by allowing students and families to apply for aid using the information on their tax returns.

SAFRA must be approved by the U.S. Senate, and then the two chambers have to come together to work out any differences in the two bills. Then it will be sent to President Obama’s desk for signature.

Caligiuri Picks Up Harwinton RTC Endorsement

For Immediate Release

In response to the Harwinton Republican Town Committee vote to endorse his U.S. Senate candidacy at their last meeting, Sam Caligiuri issued the following statement today:

“I am thrilled and honored to have received the Harwinton Republican Town Committee’s endorsement of my candidacy. After meeting with their members and sharing my common sense approach to improving the lives of Connecticut residents, I could not be more pleased that they have chosen to endorse my candidacy for the United States Senate. Connecticut needs a Senator committed to reform, grounded in principle, and with the courage to do the right thing – regardless of pressure from the left or the right. Simply maintaining the status quo will not make life better for people. I look forward to working with the Harwinton RTC, other Republican town committees, and ultimately the people of Connecticut to build momentum in my grassroots campaign to unseat Senator Dodd next year.”

Chair or the Harwinton Republican Town Committee Candace Jones-Pacholski explains that, “We like what Sam is all about. His pledges to serve only two terms, to bring fiscal responsibility to the U.S. Senate, and his thoughtful approach are things we are all looking for in a candidate. And his outstanding record in the State Senate speaks for itself.” She added, “We know other town committees will follow suit after they have the opportunity to meet Sam and see for themselves what we saw.”

Harwinton RTC’s endorsement may be found at http://harwintonrepublicans.org/.

Murphy Invites Public to Talk Health Care Reform at Weeklong Coffees and a Town Hall Meeting

NEW BRITAIN, CT – This week, Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) will host four coffees, Tuesday September 1 through Friday September 4, from 8 to 9am, to talk about health care reform. Murphy will also host a town hall style meeting on health care reform on Wednesday, September 2, at 5:30pm in Washington, Connecticut.

Murphy is organizing these events so that he can hear from people in Connecticut about what they think should be done to make health care more affordable and accessible for residents of Connecticut. He will also address questions and concerns from both proponents and opponents of health care reform.

TUESDAY

WHO: Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5)

WHAT: Coffee to talk about health care reform

WHEN: Tuesday, September 1, 8-9am

WHERE: Library Park, 267 Grand Street at Meadow Street, Waterbury

WEDNESDAY

WHO: Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5)

WHAT: Coffee to talk about health care reform

WHEN: Wednesday, September 2, 8-9am

WHERE: CityCenter Danbury Green, Danbury

WHO: Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5)

WHAT: Town hall meeting on health care reform

WHEN: Wednesday, September 2, 5:30-7pm

WHERE: Shepaug Valley High School, 159 South Street, Washington

THURSDAY

WHO: Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5)

WHAT: Coffee to talk about health care reform

WHEN: Thursday, September 3, 8-9am

WHERE: CityCenter Danbury Green, Danbury

FRIDAY

WHO: Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5)

WHAT: Coffee to talk about health care reform

WHEN: Friday, September 4, 8-9am

WHERE: Library Park, 267 Grand Street at Meadow Street, Waterbury

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Republican lawmakers have unveiled their latest budget proposal, saying they want to show that Connecticut's budget crisis can be solved without raising taxes.

Their plan comes amid a continuing impasse between state legislators and Gov. M. Jodi Rell over how to cover the state's two-year deficit, now estimated at $8.56 billion.

This new Republican plan reduces spending for many programs, including social services for the needy, to 2007 levels. It also calls for selling state assets — such as office buildings and vacant land — consolidating state agencies and eliminating the Citizens Election Fund that finances state political campaigns.

There are, however, numerous fee increases.

Rell, a Republican, has proposed $391 million in tax increases; the majority Democrats, $1.8 billion.

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele says he'll be the Republican candidate for governor in 2010 if fellow GOP member M. Jodi Rell doesn't seek re-election.

Fedele said Wednesday that he expects Rell to seek another term, but the Stamford resident is ready to step in if she doesn't.

Rell has declined to say whether she'll seek re-election.

Other Republicans considering a gubernatorial bid are House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero of Norwalk and Senate Minority Leader John McKinney of Fairfield.

On the Democratic side, former House Speaker James Amann of Milford has officially announced he's running, while Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy and East Hartford state Sen. Gary LeBeau have formed exploratory committees.

One interesting note about that new poll showing Sen. Chris Dodd trailing former Congressman Rob Simmons in a theoretical 2010 re-election bid is the breakdown by congressional district.
Dodd does worst in Northwest Connecticut's 5th District, and leads (only slightly) in Fairfield County, where Simmons is least-known.
The poll shows Dodd losing even the 1st and 3rd congressional districts, which have been solidly Democratic for ages and where the incumbents (John Larson and Rosa DeLauro) rarely even see a serious Republican challenger.
If Simmons does well in the 5th District next year, it will be interesting to see how it impacts Congressman Chris Murphy's re-election race against Republican Justin Bernier.
Bernier is a former Simmons aide who is likely to do a lot of campaigning with him.
CLICK HERE for a full analysis from http://www.ctlocalpolitics.net/.

A new poll shows U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd continuing to trail in a theoretical matchup against former Republican Congressman Rob Simmons next year.
More than half of those polled have an unfavorable opinion of Dodd, and nearly a quarter of Democrats are already ready to vote for Dodd's completely unknown primary challenger.
CLICK HERE for more from politico.com and CLICK HERE for the story from the Hartford Courant.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Chris Healy - 860-966-8468
May 21, 2009
With Connecticut Reeling, Democrats Play Games

Hartford - With less than two weeks to go before the end of the Legislative session, House and Senate Democrats continue to waste time and resources and ignore a solution to an $8 billion deficit, according to Republican State Party Chairman Chris Healy Thursday.

"Democrats are already on vacation or making plans for a long summer," said Healy. "The rest of Connecticut has realized that a tax increase is coming and are making plans to stay close to home - before they lose it or any hope of economic recovery."

Healy noted today that the Senate Democrats are debating the death penalty and whether the Legislature should decide how to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy, proposals that Governor Rell is sure to veto.

"It is comforting to know that the Senate Democrats think it is more important to take hardened violent criminals off death row that deal with fiscal issues which affect everyone's lives," said Healy. "The Democratic priorities are right from the pages of Alice in Wonderland."

Wednesday, Speaker Chris Donovan, D-Meriden, brow beat his own caucus to support his grand design to take over the entire health care system in the state at an undetermined cost to businesses and individuals.

Meanwhile, the state of Connecticut faces a $983 million deficit for this current fiscal year and an $8 billion shortfall for the next two years.

"Does any Democratic lawmaker understand what is required of them?" asked Healy. "Do the Democrats think we will wake up on June 4th and all our problems will be solved?"

Given their lack of action, Healy said Democrats have decided to let the state rainy day fund cover this year's shortfall and hope Gov. Rell looses her nerve on taxes.

"The Democrats won't even vote on their own budget, who are they kidding?" said Healy. "It's time for the Democrats to lead or allow Republican alternatives to be debated and voted upon."

NORTHWEST CHAPTER OF ACLU-CT TO MEET MAY 26TH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19th, 2009
Contact: Joseph A. Mustich 860-868-7355
Patrick Doyle 860-523-9146, ext. 216
The newly formed Northwest Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut will meet on Tuesday, May 26th, at 7:15 p.m. in the Community Room of the Oliver Wolcott Library in Litchfield, CT.
The Northwest Chapter supports the mission of the ACLU--to protect and promote awareness of civil liberties--through work in their local community. During the meeting members will discuss current civil liberties issues, upcoming events, and educational programs. The meeting is free and open to the public.
The ACLU of CT is a nonpartisan, non-profit membership organization whose mission is to assure that the Bill of Rights and the rights guaranteed by the Connecticut Constitution are preserved for each new generation. For more information on ACLU-CT and the Northwest Chapter, please visit www.acluct.org. If you would like to receive e-mail announcements of future meetings, please e-mail info@acluct.org.
The newly elected officers of the Northwest Chapter include: President Vincent Merola of Torrington; Vice-President David Jenkins of Warren; Treasurer Keith Johnson of Sharon, Secretary Susan Branson of New Preston, and Member-At-Large Joseph A. Mustich of Washington.
The Oliver Wolcott Library is located at 160 South St. Their website is http://www.owlibrary.org

###

The Winchester Democratic Party is currently recruiting candidates for the 2009 town election.

Anyone interested in running for the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Education or constable positions should visit winchester-democrats.com or contact Chairman Jim Petit at 860-379-6655.

The Democratic Party is also seeking volunteers who are interested in working in campaign areas such as fundraising, media coverage, organizing events and knocking on doors.

http://www.ctlocalpolitics.net/ has an interesting piece today on the possibility that our own Congressman John Larson (D-1st District) could ascend to one of the most powerful jobs in the country - U.S. House speaker (and be third in line for the presidency).
It's looking more and more possible as Speaker Nancy Pelosi gets herself into deeper water over lying about her knowledge of the CIA's use of waterboarding as a torture device.
CLICK HERE for the post.

In the wake of the controversy surrounding the now-aborted Brodie House lease, the New Hartford Board of Finance voted unanimously last week to form a task force to review municipal rental agreements.

Board member Dan Charest proposed the motion to establish the task force. First Selectman Earl MacInnes was publicly criticized after entering into an agreement with municipal employee Donald Birden on March 26. The contract called for the town to lease the municipal property at 550 West Hill Road to Birden and his family for four years at a rate of $400 per month in addition to maintaining the property. Town attorney Charles E. Roraback has since reviewed the contract and declared it invalid per state law.

Board members Ben Witte, Jim Fitzgerald, Mark Heuschkel, Bill Reiger, Tom Klebart and Charest voted in favor of the motion to establish a task force. They discusses the state of the facility and how to renegotiate a new contract.

Connecticut Federation of Republican Women
Media Release
For immediate release
From: Maral Austin Johnson, Corresponding Secretary, 1-860-658-7962 between 6 AM – 11 PM
Re: Sat., May 30th , 12-2 PM Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the Inn in Middletown, CT.
During the weekend after Memorial Day, on Saturday, May 30, the Connecticut Federation of Republican Women will hold its Annual Meeting and Luncheon from 12 - 2 PM at the Inn in Middletown, 70 Main Street, Middletown, Connecticut.
Members, potential members, friends and neighbors from all over Connecticut are encouraged to form companionable carpools to attend. Gentlemen are welcome to congregate with others of like minds, to tender moral support and consider attainment of GOP victories.
Invited guests include: the Hon.M. Jodi Rell, Governor; Republican National Committeewoman Patricia Longo; Republican State Party Chairman Chris Healy; Republican State Party Vice Chairwoman Lisa Carver; the Hon. Christopher Shays; the Hon. Nancy Johnson; the Hon. Rob Simmons; State Senator Toni Boucher; State Representative Lawrence Cafaro; State Representative Marilyn Giuliani; Republican officials and legislators, Guest Speaker David West, author of "Reality Check".
The lunch includes gourmet-prepared chicken or salmon entree, side dishes, salad, dessert, coffee or tea at a charge of $35 per person and a cash bar for those who wish it.
Checks should be made payable to "CFRW" and mailed to Judy Davies, CFRW Treasurer, 332 Joshuatown Rd., Lyme, CT, 06371, specifying entrée choice. Davies may also be reached at (860) 526-9828. Space limitations make early reservations prudent. Dues may also be paid at the door, including those for At-Large memberships. Exit 15 off Route 9 leads to the 70 Main Street destination. Parking spaces are in close proximity to the Inn.
Each club has traditionally brought gifts or favors suitable for door prizes, etc. Any questions about this, or other matters, may be directed to CFRW President Kathleen McCarty at (860) 442-2903 in Waterford, CT.

U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd has his first challenger in the 2010 Democratic primary. It's unlikely to be the last fellow Democrat to declare against the embattled incumbent.

Torrington Mayor Ryan Bingham joined several state and local leaders in Bristol last week to receive grants for environmental protection.

Torrington is slated to receive $1 million in grant money, 60 percent of which will be used as low-interest revolving loans for developers, land owners and property owners. The remaining 40 percent will be used as direct grants that do not have be repaid, Bingham said.

The Environmental Protection Agency is issuing the money with the hope of revitalizing former industrial and commercial sites in several cities from Torrington to Naugatuck to New London.
While the money was announced last week, it will not be available until October, Bingham said.

The mayor said he will join Rose Ponte, economic development director, and his Assistant Stephen Nocera in attending classes on how to administer the grant.

By RONALD DEROSA/Register Citizen Staff

HARTFORD — Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed a bill Friday that will allow municipalities to delay the implementation of their property revaluations until 2011.

The S.B. 997, which passed the State House of Representatives this week and the State Senate last week, was co-sponsored by two Torrington-area legislators, state Sen. Kevin Witkos, R-8, and state Rep. Michelle Cook, D-65. Torrington was one of a few cities in the state — along with Washington, Woodbury and Monroe — that has received an overwhelming amount of complaints against Waterbury-based Total Valuation, who completed the full physical revaluation as required by law this year. The towns have been seeking a way to delay having to hand the results in to the state.

"I’m glad the governor moved on it as quickly as she did," Cook said.
With the passing of the legislation — titled An Act Concerning A Municipal Option To Delay Revaluation — the city has the option to completely delay implementing the revaluation until 2011, beginning July 1. The move gives Torrington the option to throw out the 2008 data collected by Total Valuation, instead relying on figures from the 2007 computer-based revaluation, said Mayor Ryan Bingham.

"We’re clearly going to have to redo it, sooner than later," Cook said. "But I think that’s for (the city) to work out at the city level. They know more about which would be best to go."
From the Torrington perspective, the city still is withholding $100,000 from Total Valuation as sanction for not meeting deadlines, and the Board of Assessment Appeals is still going through some 1,400 appeals filed in recent months.

The city is now having Corporation Counsel Ernestine Weaver review the new legislation due to an amendment added that allows for regionalizing, Bingham said. Also, the city still waits formal notification from the state Office of Policy and Management regarding a request for a one-year postponement, the mayor said.

If OPM allows for the postponement, then the city can get through all the necessary appeals and use all of the information gathered in 2008 for 2009’s Grand List, Bingham said.
The vote comes down, however, to City Council on how it wants proceed, he said. Should the council decide it does not want to use the 2008 numbers at all, then the city can wait until 2011 to do the process all over again, Bingham said.

"We would have to notify OPM as a courtesy because they would have to put our municipality on the list for 2011," the mayor said. "They would keep track of when our revaluations are due. We wouldn’t need their permission to throw at the numbers, now that S.B. 997 is passed and signed by the governor."

The Republican Town Committee and Torrington Mayor Ryan Bingham hosted a reception for former state legislator and the mayor' mom, Anne Ruwet, at the Yankee Pedlar Inn in Torrington on Friday evening.

The State Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill allowing municipalities to delay the implementation of revaluation of property until 2011.

If passed by the House, the bill does not mandate towns to delay the implementation of the most recent revaluation, but rather gives towns the option to do so, state Sen. Kevin Witkos, R-8, said.

“I think people have great difficulties with their revaluations,” Witkos said. “Torrington has had an unprecedented number of appeals.”

The State Senate passed An Act Concerning a Municipal Option to Delay Revaluations on Thursday by a vote of 31-3. Witkos, R-8, and state Sen. Andrew Roraback, R-30, voted for the bill.

The State House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill soon.

Mayor Ryan Bingham hailed the Senate’s passage of the bill. He noted that the economic recession is devaluating the cost of homes.

“We want to see home values stabilize and then increase so that home values are more in line with real values,” Bingham said. “This is definitely a bill that I support. ... A lot of people in Torrington support it because of the situation with revaluation.”

The Republican Town Committee in New Hartford voted Thursday night to ask for the resignation of the first selectman. Read full story here.

U.S. Sen Chris Dodd, chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, will convene a hearing today titled “Regulating and Resolving Institutions Considered ‘Too Big to Fail’.” This hearing is part of a series of hearings, briefings and meetings that Dodd is convening as the Banking Committee works to modernize our financial regulatory system.

At Wednesday’s hearing, Dodd will hear testimony about lessons learned from the current crisis and recommendations for the regulation, supervision, and resolution of institutions considered essential to the financial system and often deemed “too big to fail.”

By DAN IVERS

State Sen. Kevin Witkos, R-8, is voicing his opposition to legislation moving through the Capitol that would prohibit minors from handling firearms under any circumstances.

The bill, which would bar anyone from letting a minor handle a gun even if it is not functional or placed in a locked container, was crafted in response to the death of an 8-year-old Ashford boy who lost control of a machine gun at a Massachusetts gun show last fall, causing the gun to discharge and killing the boy.

Witkos said the bill, which passed the State Senate Thursday by a count of 35-2, is a kneejerk reaction to an isolated incident, and won’t do anything to prevent similar accidents.

“We had one incident in the entire country. What about all the school shootings? We don’t react to that, but this because it’s in our back door?” he said. “What happened in Massachusetts was an accident and this legislation will not prevent accidents from happening.”

Only Witkos and state Sen. Tony Gugliemo, R-35, opposed the bill, which will now head to the House of Representatives and, if passed there, to the governor’s desk for approval. The bill would impose penalties ranging from a fine to 10 years in prison for a child under 16 and their parents if one was found to have handled a firearm, which Witkos said is excessive.

Advocates say the bill is just common sense and would prevent children from even handling guns, which is how accidents occur.

“It is unclear under current law whether children are strictly prohibited from possessing assault weapons and machine guns and this legislation would leave no doubt that Connecticut will protect its youth from this obvious danger,” said Sen. Martin Looney, D-11, in a Thursday press release.

New Hartford First Selectman Earl MacInnes has admitted he made a mistake in signing contracts with town employees Donald G. Birden and Daniel B. LeGeyt without first talking to the other two selectmen.

The contracts were both voided by the Board of Selectmen on Friday after a town attorney had said they were not legal.

In November 2008, LeGeyt, who is the town’s highway department supervisor, signed a contract with MacInnes guaranteeing generous vacation and overtime pay-out provisions subsequently valued by Town Treasurer Blake Hall at $28,000.

On March 26, Birden signed into a long term rental agreement with MacInnes to lease the town-owned Brodie House property at 550 West Hill Road at what was later described by a number of officials as well below market rate.The contracts, which went undisclosed until April, touched off a political controversy among town officials and voters.

“I’m sorry that I made an error in judgement," MacInnes said. "I apologize to the town for that, to the board of selectmen, and to the people displaced in the agreements.”

MacInnes said he hopes New Hartford’s voters understood that he made a mistake.
“We’re always learning,” he said.

In a meeting with Winsted Democrats this weekend, former candidate for the 63rd House District William Riiska noted that there may be an issue on getting all town Democrats together to agree on things. Riiska described things in the Democratic Party in general as “like trying to herd cats.”

Residents of New Hartford, Barkhamsted, Norfolk and Colebrook will vote at referendum Tuesday on their respective piece of the Region 7 school district’s proposed total budget of $17,602,371 for fiscal year 2009-10.

New Hartford residents will vote Tuesday between6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on a proposed budget of $7,692,332 to fund an estimated enrollment of 534 New Hartford students at Region 7 next fiscal year.

Barkhamsted residents will vote Tuesday between noon and 8 p.m. on a proposed budget of $4,593,988 to fund an estimated enrollment of 319 Barkhamsted students at Region 7 next fiscal year.

Colebrook residents will vote Tuesday between noon and 8 p.m. on a proposed budget of $1,901,829 to fund an estimated enrollment of 132 Colebrook students at Region 7 next fiscal year.

Norfolk residents will vote Tuesday between noon and 8 p.m. on a proposed budget of $1,555,469 to fund an estimated enrolment of 108 Norfolk students at Region 7 next fiscal year.

The Region 7 Board of Education has already approved the proposed total budget of $17,602,371, which is the same as the current fiscal year budget.

Just how much trouble is Sen. Chris Dodd in as he runs for re-election next year?

You’ve seen the surprising opinion polls showing record unfavorability, and other poll finding that any Republican - even those virtually unknown across the state - would beat him easily if the election were held today.

Well, at the well-attended annual meeting of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce last Thursday, outgoing President Joe Greco’s comments about various dignitaries, including Gov. M. Jodi Rell, being unable to make it was followed by a crack about Dodd being available but the group asking him to stay away.

It was met by laughter and a very loud round of applause from the several hundred, typically reserved, local businesspeople, in the room.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed a bill last week that formalizes what was already decided by the Connecticut Supreme Court - that gays and lesbians have the right to marry in this state.

Over intense opposition from some religious groups, the bill passed the Senate 28-7 and passed the House 100-44.

A number of local lawmakers were among those casting a dissenting vote.

“No” votes were cast by Sen. Kevin Witkos (R-Canton), Rep. William Hamzy (R-Plymouth), Rep. Craig Miner (R-Litchfield), Rep. John Piscopo (R-Thomaston) and Rep. John Rigby (R-Colebrook).

Voting “yes” were Sen. Andrew Roraback (R-Goshen), Rep. Annie Hornish (D-Granby), Rep. Michelle Cook (D-Torrington) and Rep. Roberta Willis (D-Salisbury).

The Harwinton Democratic Town Committee will put on a fundraiser today at the home of Frank Mollo, 153 Meadowview Drive, Harwinton, from 2 to 6 p.m.

Honored guests are Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and Comptroller Nancy Wyman. Meet new candidates, state officials, local officials and members of the Democratic Town Committee.

For more information, call (860) 485-9301.

U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, center, talks with former Torrington

mayoral candidate Tim Driscoll, left, and Jay Houser during a gathering

at Dr. Matthew Blondin’s office in Torrington Saturday.

Purchase a glossy print of this photo and more at www.registercitizen.com.

By ALEX TAYLOR

WEST CORNWALL — U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd hasn’t visited West Cornwall since 2004, but he and U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5, will be stopping by the picturesque village Saturday for a public meeting organized by the Democratic Coalition of Northwest Connecticut.

The meeting is scheduled at the West Cornwall Consolidated school, 5 Cream Hill Road, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., according to coalition chairman Harriette Dorsen.Murphy, who was traveling from Washington to Connecticut on Friday, said the economy would be the topic of discussion.

Murphy said that is all he is hearing from voters.“The economy. The economy. The economy,” Murphy said. “A lot of people out there have lost their job and are looking for help to find a new one. Others out there are anxious about how long they’re going to be employed.”

That, and populist anger at the TARP bank bailout.“People are furious that a lot of these banks have taken the money and handed it out as bonuses and salaries to their executives,” Murphy said of TARP, which he voted for.

“I’m just as angry as they are. People are rightly skeptical of the first round of money which hasn’t gone to business owners. I don’t know why Bush administration gave that money out with any conditions.”

In recent weeks, Murphy has touted several programs from the federal stimulus package, including a tax cut he said averaged to $800 per family as well as several transportation and energy projects.Murphy also touted an $8,000 refundable tax credit for first-time home buyers that was part of the stimulus package.

“Not enough people out there know about this,” he said. “I really believe that if you restart the first-time home buyer’s market, you will unlock what is a very-broken real estate market and get people buying homes and spending money again.”

The program ends Dec. 31.A spokesman for Dodd said the senator is looking forward to visiting West Cornwall. The five-term senator and Senate Banking Committee chairman has come under criticism for his closeness to the financial industry and questioned over his two mortgages with Countrywide Financial Corp.

Dorsen said she expects an exchange between the senator and voters.“I think this is going to be a good chance for the senator to talk to voters and address any questions or criticism,” she said.Murphy said it is too early to predict the 2010 election.

“I’m not a political analyst. I think it’s a little too early to be handicapping a race that won’t happen for a year and a half,” he said, citing Dodd’s accomplishments as an advocate for the state.

“He clearly has some work to do between now and then, but the more occasions he has to talk to people in informal settings like the one we have Saturday, the better off his political prospects will be,” Murphy said.

State Sen. Andrew Roraback, R-30, said that while the stimulus has helped Connecticut, he worries about future deficits.

“Certainly from the state’s perspective, the stimulus is helping us balance our budget,” he said. “We’re going to get $2 billion in the next two years, which is certainly welcome news and comes at a time when we need it the most.”
He added: “There has to be a limit to deficit spending. I don’t want the cure for today’s illness to burden our country’s future.”

It’s been said that every single member of the U.S. Senate fancies himself or herself to be capable of and possibly in line to be president of the United States.

The informal guessing game surrounding who might run for mayor of Torrington this fall is turning out to be just as expansive.

Almost every member of the City Council – even Republicans, should incumbent Mayor Ryan Bingham for some reason decide not to seek a third term – has been mentioned as a possible candidate, as has School Board Chairman Paul Cavagnero.

Others have suggested that the ideal candidate to challenge Bingham would be an outsider to local politics with business management experience.

When Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, an all-but-announced candidate for governor in 2010, visited The Register Citizen two weeks ago, he was asked if he thought the name of one of his local supporters, Litchfield Democratic activist Audrey Blondin, would be on the statewide ballot with him.

Blondin briefly ran for secretary of the state four years ago until incumbent Democrat Susan Bysiewicz decided to abandon a gubernatorial run and seek re-election. With Bysiewicz a lot more likely to run for governor this time – against Malloy in the Democratic primary – Blondin is again weighing a run for secretary of the state.

Malloy’s response? He hopes not. He wants Blondin’s full attention given to drumming up support for his gubernatorial run in Litchfield County.

WINSTED — Feeling confused about the state’s budget proposal? All three of them?

State Rep. John Rigby, R-63, has scheduled a public meeting to discuss his ideas for the state’s budget at the Gilbert School on Thursday, April 23, at 7 p.m.Rigby says the meeting was prompted, in part, by his opposition to the budget recently proposed by Democrats in the State Legislature.

“I’ve been hearing a lot of concerns from voters about the Democrat’s budget, which includes $3.3 billion in taxes,” he said. “Raising taxes in a time of economic crisis is like adding gasoline to the fire. Some families would pay $1,500 and $2,000 in new state and property taxes. That’s too much.”

Last week Rigby joined House and Senate Republicans, who unveiled their “alternative” budget to the Democrat’s proposal, itself an “alternative” to the budget proposed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell. Rigby says the Republican budget will consolidate government positions.

“Early reitrement could lead to $285,000,000 in savings over two years,” he said. “We also could consolidate 23 state agencies into six state agencies.” Rigby also cited concessions from state workers for salary, healthcare and pension benefits for savings of $662 million.One cost-cutting measure Rigby was not in favor of, however, is the proposed closing of the Winsted DMV under the Democrat’s budget.

“Michell and I have heard the outcry in hundreds of e-mails,” Rigby said, referring to fellow Representative Michelle Cook, R-65. Rigby said the Republicans budget would “streamline” the DMV and the Department of Transportation for cost-savings.

Rigby will return to Hartford on Wednesday. He says he expects Democrats will want to incoporate ideas from the Republican’s proposed budget. He also predicted the state legislature will eventually pass a “no tax increase budget.”

In response, state Rep. Roberta Willis, D-64, said that balancing the budget with a zero increase in taxes would be easier said than done. “Unlike the federal government we have to have a balanced budget,” she said. “We can’t cost cut our way out of this. We can’t balance this budget without tax increases.”

Despite his wife just having a baby, state Sen. Andrew Roraback has never missed a vote.

The Hartford Courant once called him the “Lou Gehrig of the legislature,” owing to his 100 percent attendance record.

On the last Monday in March, at 7:46 p.m., Roraback’s wife gave birth to a son. Roraback got lucky, since there was no voting the following few days he needed to attend to. Of course, nothing is certain for the future, now that he’s a family man.

U.S. Senator Chris Dodd, D-CT, a returned Peace Corps volunteer and a longtime advocate for national service, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, CT-3, will join President Barack Obama for the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act signing ceremony today.

The event will take place at 4 p.m. at The SEED School of Washington, D.C., an innovative public school that caters to underserved students who may face challenges in school and at home.

The Serve America Act includes large parts of Dodd and DeLauro’s “Service for All Ages ” initiative, which is a group of four bills that will expand and strengthen opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve their communities, according to a statement from Dodd's office.

By RONALD DeROSA

TORRINGTON — What began as an opportunity to discuss stimulus money for Social Security benefactors sidetracks to concerns about the economy and gay marriage, when U.S. Congressman Chris Murphy, D-5, paid a visit to the Sullivan Senior Center Friday.

Murphy dropped by the center along with state Rep. Michelle Cook, D-65, just before lunch at 11:30 to discuss a stimulus provision in which those receiving Social Security will receive a one-time $250 payment. Reports from the federal government state that the checks are scheduled to be sent out in May.

Murphy noted that, while the money is not enormous, it help offset certain costs while providing extra money for those on fixed incomes or those on retirement.
"I wish it was more," the congressman said.

Speaking in front of a largely older crowd, Murphy then was received with several questions from the concerned residents. Several regarded the frustration towards the current economic situation while others — from one individual in particular — centered on the frustration with the current government.

Torrington resident Antoinette Hyde plainly voiced that she wished the government would "stop taking our money in the first place." While Murphy attempted to defend his reasoning for supporting stimulus spending, Hyde pointedly responded with remarks against "socialism," dismissing whether either the Republicans or the Democrats were more efficient in power.
"I think we get a lot of Democratic representation, it doesn’t matter anymore," Hyde said. "They’re all the same."

Cook, who stood alongside her fellow Democrat during his speech and the questions, also chimed in when one person inquired about the proposed SB 899. Cook noted that, while the bill is on the table, the vote will only allow for each state legislator to voice their opinion on it.
The state Supreme Court has made a ruling and Gov. M. Jodi Rell has said she will not oppose that ruling, Cook said.

Murphy and Cook remained at the center as the seniors had lunch, answer questions and having discussions with their constituents.

For more information about the one-time payment visit www.socialsecurity.gov/payment or call Murphy’s New Britain office at (860) 223-8412.

By RONALD DeROSA
HARWINTON — Town leaders through Litchfield county gathered at the Town Hall for a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, to commemorate a new program of sharing heavy equipment.

A total of 10 towns in the area are set to benefit from the Litchfield Hills Public Works Equipment Cooperative, which is a sharing of major equipment for road maintenance. Two street sweepers and one basing cleaner were purchased through the program, which was made possible by a $700,000 grant the council received from the state’s Regional Performance Incentive Program.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell set the program up for the cooperative sharing of equipment as a method for reducing municipal costs. Bob Valentine, Goshen first selectman and council president, said that it is something that area leaders are familiar with.

"We’re not new to working together in the Northwest Corner," Valentine said. "We’ve done this quite a bit."

He noted the recent exchange between area towns of salt for winter road maintenance.
The street sweepers will be housed in both Harwinton and Hartland and the catch basin cleaner will remain in Torrington. Each municipalities’ personnel will maintain the equipment, he said.
The process by which the towns will use the equipment is each municipality will pay an hourly rate, Valentine said. That rate will take care of maintenance while at the same time, some money will be put away for future capital use, he said.

"At the end of their life, they will use that money to buy new ones," he said.
The council has also purchased an extended warranty on the equipment, although Valentine could not state how long it would last.

The catch basin cleaner cost $252,141 and the two street sweepers combined cost $400,157. A portion of the balance went towards legal review fees, while the remaining will go to a capital replacement fund to help pay for equipment replacement.

Guiding Eyes’ famous puppies visited Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s Hartford office to thank her for declaring Dec. 5, 2008, as Connecticut’s “Guiding Eyes for the Blind Day.” This honor was bestowed after the governor learned that 874 puppies had been loving raised in Connecticut by volunteer families who wanted to make a difference in a blind or visually impaired person’s life.

CLICK HERE for a story on how Sen. Chris Dodd's most recent financial report shows that only five people from Connecticut contributed a total of about $4,000 to his re-election campaign in the first quarter, compared to more than 400 people from out of state donating more than $600,000.

By DAVID HUTTER/Register Citizen Staff

Several municipal elected officials lobbied on behalf of small towns to continue to receive money from the state government at a news conference put on by a variety of bodies at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on Wednesday.

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities hosted a rally in cooperation with the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents and the Connecticut Association of Urban Superintendents.

Barkhamsted First Selectman Don Stein, Harwinton First Selectman Frank Chiaramonte, Colebrook First Selectman Thomas McKeon and state Rep. John Rigby, R-63, attended the news conference with dozens of other municipal and state elected officials from Connecticut. They listened to a discussion on the Appropriations and Finance Committees budget proposal and its impact on towns and school districts.

Rigby represents Barkhamsted, Canaan, Colebrook, Hartland, Norfolk, North Canaan and Winchester. He is supporting a proposed bill that would allow towns to delay hiring a company to conduct a revaluation process by three years.

"While the towns are dealing with an economic recession, there is less availability of state money," Rigby said.

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities conducted a survey about the way in which towns are being impacted by the economic recession. Towns are being forced to eliminate employees, not increase programs and reduce programs.

The Barkhamsted Board of Selectmen crafted a proposed budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 that keeps existing services and simultaneously avoids an increase in taxes. The Barkhamsted Board of Selectman crafted a zero percent increase budget of $1,723,049, which is $26 lower than the ongoing fiscal year’s budget.

"There is a very strong push (among municipal leaders) that the state needs to cut its spending habits," Barkhamsted First Selectman Don Stein, a Democrat, said. "We’ll be looking at a difficult economy for several years."

The Harwinton Board of Selectmen crafted a proposed budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 of $5,199,287, or an increase of 1.02 percent.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) announced that Connecticut residents on Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) should expect their $250 recovery payments in their mailboxes in May. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for a one-time payment of $250 to adult Social Security beneficiaries and to SSI recipients, except those receiving Medicaid in care facilities.
"When we wrote the recovery law, my top priority was helping those who need it the most in this terrible economy. This additional benefit could make a huge difference for someone being forced to choose between paying for groceries, life saving medication, or rent," said Murphy.
To receive the benefit, the individual must be eligible for Social Security or SSI during the months of November 2008, December 2008 or January 2009. No action on behalf of the recipient is required to get the payment, which will be sent separately from their regular monthly benefit.
The legislation also provides for a one-time payment to Veterans Affairs (VA) and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries. The VA and RRB will be responsible for paying individuals under their programs. However, if someone receives Social Security and SSI, VA or RRB benefits, he or she will receive only one $250 payment.
If you expect to receive this benefit and do not do so by June 4, please contact Hilda Santiago in Murphy's office, 860-223-8412.
"Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have questions about your recovery law benefit, or anything else. We are here to help you with Social Security, Medicare, the Veterans Administration, and all other federal agencies," said Murphy.
To learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, go to http://www.recovery.gov/

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced the economy continues to erode all major revenue streams for the state, eroding the bottom line for her proposed two-year $38 billion budget presented to the Legislature nearly two months ago.
The Office of Policy and Management outlined its revised revenue estimates today in a letter to the Governor. The report takes into account the latest projected tax revenues, including personal income tax and sales tax as well as casino revenues and other fees and estimates the cumulative two-year deficit at just over $7 billion.
“Today’s report from the Office of Policy and Management makes it abundantly clear that the recession continues to ravage our revenue. I continue to be disappointed by the lack of any semblance of urgency from the Legislature to address the state’s two-year budget,” Governor Rell said. “It is well past time to stop fiddling around the edges and seriously focus on the task at hand – deliver a balanced budget for the taxpayers of Connecticut. Municipalities are crafting their budgets now and the longer we wait to give them a solid idea of what they can expect in state aid, the harder it will be on local property taxpayers.”
OPM reported in its letter today that since the Governor presented her budget on February 4, estimated revenues for Fiscal Year 2010 have been revised downward by $721.4 million and, in Fiscal Year 2011 by $671.5 million. Personal income tax dropped $371 million and $507.5 million in FY 2010 and 2011, respectively. Sales and use tax dropped $144.5 million and $151.2 million for each year.
“Frankly these revenue deteriorations are not altogether surprising given the worsening national economy and steep drop in almost every leading economic indicator over the last two months,” OPM Secretary Robert Genuario wrote. “While the numbers are deeply concerning, we still believe that our 2 year projected deficit will be far below that projected by OFA ($7.39 billion vs. $8.7 billion).
The Governor said OPM expects to deliver its final projection for the biennium shortly after the April 15 income tax deadline.

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state has officially applied to receive nearly $39 million in federal stimulus funds for energy programs by assuring the U.S. Department of Energy that Connecticut will adhere to stipulations outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“These funds will help us continue our momentum on creating a green collar workforce while building an economy of the future that includes renewable and alternative energy sources and clean technology,” Governor Rell said. “We are a proven national leader in the field and our existing energy programs have Connecticut well-positioned to soar with the next generation of jobs and green technology.”
Connecticut is in line to receive $38.5 million in energy stimulus grants. Governor Rell signed the letter of application on March 23 to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu in accordance with Section 410 of the ARRA.
The letter includes an outline of the State Energy Program, developed to meet four goals mandated by the U.S. Energy Department. The goals are:
Increase efficiency and reduce energy costs for consumers, businesses and government
Reduce reliance on imported energy
Improve reliability of electricity and delivery of energy services
Reduce the impact of energy production on the environment
“Many of our standards in Connecticut meet or exceed the federal requirements and I am confident we will be able to put these stimulus funds to work as soon as possible,” Governor Rell said.
The State Energy Plan includes expansion of the state’s leading fuel cell industry, a geothermal and solar thermal initiative for residential and commercial buildings and increased support for wind energy.
Overall, Connecticut will receive about $3 billion in federal stimulus dollars. Approximately $1.65 billion is in direct aid and grants while $1.3 billion is in the form of Medicaid assistance. The federal government estimates the ARRA will create and/or save more than 40,000 jobs in Connecticut.
For more information the ARRA in Connecticut and to view a copy of the energy application documents, visit the state’s official stimulus Web site at www.ct.gov and click on the CT Recovery link.

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection will receive $1.73 million in federal stimulus money for three initiatives to reduce the amount of harmful emissions from diesel engines in Connecticut.
The three initiatives are a program to retrofit emission systems on state-owned diesel vehicles, a truck-stop electrification project to reduce diesel truck idling and a project to replace a high-emitting diesel locomotive engine with a low-emission power system.
To qualify for funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, all of the projects were required to demonstrate that they would both reduce diesel emissions and stimulate the economy by creating jobs. The truck stop and locomotive projects will be undertaken in New Haven. The other is the statewide program to retrofit diesel vehicles operated by the Department of Transportation.
"One of my top priorities in using the federal stimulus funds is to promote clean energy and green technologies that will bring lasting improvements to our environment," Governor Rell said. “Children will soon be enjoying the spring weather and as the stewards of Connecticut's environment, our commitment to clean air and water is a commitment to the next generation. These kind of projects represent the future of Connecticut."
"These projects will improve the health and quality of life in our communities and they will boost our economy by creating jobs," the Governor said. "Because these projects will get underway almost immediately, we expect to see economic and environmental results within the next several months.”
The proposed projects and funding amounts are:
• Diesel Vehicle Retrofit – This program will retrofit approximately 170 Department of Transportation diesel vehicles and pieces of construction equipment used on highway projects. In addition, airport shuttle buses, snow plowing equipment and dump trucks will also be evaluated for retrofits within the DOT fleet. The vehicles will receive diesel oxidation catalysts which result in lower emissions. Allocation: $3,000 per piece of equipment, totaling $510,000
• Truck Stop Electrification – This project at the Port of New Haven will establish a truck stop electrification (TSE) parking area to relieve a long-standing problem caused by idling trucks waiting for gate access to deliver or pick up goods. TSE units allow truck drivers to have heat, air conditioning and electricity for in-cab appliances without running their truck engines. The neighborhoods around the Port of New Haven have long been plagued by emissions from trucks waiting in line to pick up or deliver cargo. Allocation: $380,256
• Locomotive Engine Repower – This project will replace a traditional, high-emitting diesel locomotive engine operated by the Providence and Worcester Rail Road in New Haven with low emission generators and diesel particulate filters. This project will be the first of its kind in Connecticut. Given the long lifespan of locomotive engines, this project will yield significant emission reductions for many years to come. Allocation: $750,000
The Governor noted that these projects will further implement strategies set out in the Connecticut Clean Diesel Plan, adopted in 2005. The three proposed projects, among 16 submitted for consideration, were determined to be the best qualified because they will clearly reduce diesel emissions, expedite economic recovery and facilitate the creation and preservation of jobs.
“These projects were selected as most likely to benefit the greatest number people in Connecticut,” Governor Rell said. “We will improve the quality of life for people across Connecticut by retrofitting the DOT equipment and the neighborhoods in New Haven near the port and the rail line will see significant improvements in air quality.”
Diesel exhaust is a significant contributor to air pollution and has been classified as a probable human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency. Connecticut communities, especially those in urban areas, suffer from sooty exhaust emitted by trucks, buses and other diesel engines that can make breathing difficult, particularly for children, the elderly and other sensitive groups.
The Department of Environmental Protection is assisting stakeholders whose projects were not selected for inclusion in the state funding work plan to obtain money from other funding programs. One example is the National Clean Diesel Assistance Program, which has allocated $8.79 Million to EPA Region 1 for a range of projects similar to those included in the state allocation.
DEP is still accepting project proposals to be evaluated for the national program, which has a deadline of April 28, 2009. Proposals submitted to DEP for consideration should arrive two weeks prior to that date.

State Rep. Annie Hornish is sponsoring new legislation that aims to stimulate the economy by reducing the initial investment for new small businesses in the state.

Read about it here.