Today, Connecticut GOP Chairman Chris Healy tipped his hat — he wants Sen. Sam Caligieri to run against Chris Murphy.
"Over the last few weeks, State Senator Sam Caligiuri and I have discussed his candidacy for statewide office. After much thought and discussion with other leaders and activists, I have urged him to focus his energies on the Fifth Congressional district where I believe he would be a top candidate," Healy said.
In response to Chairman Healy’s call for Sen. Caligiuri to enter the Fifth Congressional district race, Caligiuri made the following statement:
"I want to thank Chairman Healy for his kind words and encouragement of my potential candidacy in the Fifth Congressional District. Over the last several days I have been exploring this option with Chairman Healy and other leaders in the party who have reached out to me in support of this move. My goal has always been to best serve the people of Connecticut by reviving our economy, reforming government, and restoring fiscal responsibility. Over the coming days, I will make a decision on how I can best continue to fight for those principles and serve the people of Connecticut."
But what happened to Justin Bernier? Bernier was endorsed already by Greg Cogswell, Torrington’s Republican Town Committee chair. Will this pit Republicans against Republicans? Old guard against tea party GOP?

TORRINGTON — Former Republican Gov. John G. Rowland is slated to come to Torrington in two weeks to pay a visit with the city’s Rotary Club.
Kevin Purcell, past president and spokesman for the Rotary, confirmed that Rowland will be the club’s guest on Nov. 24, during the club’s regular lunch. Rowland is expected to speak around 12:45 p.m., and the public is regularly welcome at that time.
Rowland served as the state’s governor for ten years, until his resignation in 2004 amidst a corruption probe. He eventually was convicted on corruption charges, leading him to serve time in federal prison.
In 2008 Rowland was hired by the city of Waterbury for an economic development position.
But his controversial past is not expected to be the subject of discussion when he speaks in front of the group at the Elk’s Lodge in two weeks.
"He’s coming to give a talk about his life after the train wreck," Purcell said.
Cynthia Oneglia, a Rotary member from Washington was the person who got Rowland to come to the city, Purcell said. She could not be reached for comment.
Purcell said he thinks the former governor’s visit should be "interesting."
"He always came to Torrington with a very positive outlook," Purcell said. "I would be bold enough to say he really embraced the Warner Theatre... and was a major player in getting funds for the Warner."
Rowland previously came to speak to the Rotary members in 1995, which Purcell joked was the "start" of his campaign for governor. He was hardly known at that point as a candidate when he met with the club, Purcell said.

By MARY E. O’LEARY
Special to The Register Citizen
It could have been mistaken for a political rally.
The man at the head of the room had a story about his immigrant father succeeding in America and his mother who came from the heartland. There was a shout-out to veterans in the room, and singing by a group of middle school children.
Booked months ago, the gathering of students, senior citizens and local dignitaries Tuesday was arranged by The Women’s Center at Gateway Community College, where almost 200 people squeezed into the largest room the small campus had to offer.
State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, one of the most recognized elected officials in the state, certainly one of the most familiar to newscasters, talked of health insurance denials he has reversed, poor treatment of returning veterans and child abuse cases his office handles.
"Ninety-five percent of the time we win without having to go to court. That’s because they’re wrong, and we’re right," he said of his battles with insurance companies, to the crowd’s murmurs of approval.
Blumenthal’s daily schedule is chock full of such appearances, press conferences, dinners and parades. Is this the time Blumenthal will take all that political capital and run for governor, now that Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell has announced she will not seek re-election, giving Democrats their first good shot at the top job in 18 years?
Blumenthal said no, he’s running for attorney general "because it is a job I love because it enables me to fight for people and make a difference. I have no plan to run for governor."
On the other hand, asked if he would run in 2012 for U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman’s seat, Blumenthal said: "It would be a challenge that I would welcome, if it were the right time to do it, and I thought I could make a difference. Stay tuned."
In the meantime, Blumenthal said he hoped Lieberman could be persuaded to support the health care package, including the public option, that just squeaked by in the House and now heads for a tougher battle in the U.S. Senate.
The Democratic Governors Association Tuesday said it is moving Connecticut to its top tier of targeted 2010 pickup races, in light of Rell’s decision.
Nathan Daschle, executive director of the group, said it will invest resources and "play offense" in Connecticut, where there is no clear successor to Rell.
A total of 37 gubernatorial races are on the ballot next year, and the association said it raised $11.6 million in the first six months of the year.
The Democratic field considering a run for governor has grown to five: Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy; Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz; former U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont; Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi; and state Sen. Gary LeBeau, D-East Hartford. Former House Speaker James A. Amann of Milford is the only announced candidate.

By ED STANNARD
Special to The Register Citizen
Workers who come down with swine flu — or whose children do — would get up to seven paid sick days if a bill introduced Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd becomes law.
Dodd announced the "emergency legislation" during a Capitol Hill hearing on H1N1.
"Families shouldn’t have to choose between staying healthy and making ends meet," said Dodd, D-Conn. "But if staying home means you don’t get paid, that’s an impossibility, especially for families struggling to make ends meet."
He said paid sick leave has been an issue of fairness, but now it’s a public health issue, too.
In his opening statement at the hearing, Dodd said, "Troublingly, more than three-quarters of food service and hotel workers do not have paid sick days. Child care, retail and nursing home workers are also less likely to have paid sick days.
"Some 80,000 school cafeteria workers cannot stay home when they are sick, and they come to work to serve approximately 10 million schoolchildren each day. This is simply dangerous."
Dodd said only 22 percent of low-income workers receive paid sick days, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Workers could use their sick time if they were ill or to care for a sick child or a child whose school or child-care center has been closed because of flu.
At least 10 schools have closed in Connecticut because of flu, including Guilford High School and East Haven Academy.
The size of businesses falling under the legislation has not been finalized, according to Dodd spokesman Bryan DeAnglelis, but it would be part of the pending Healthy Families Act. That bill would require businesses with 15 or more employees to give workers seven paid sick days per year, according to Connecticut Working Families. The bill would go into effect 15 days after being signed into law, and it would expire after two years.
Peter Gioia, vice president of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, called Dodd’s bill a "mandated one-size-fits-all" approach.
"What we’ve been telling companies is, if someone’s sick, they probably shouldn’t come in. ... It’s not a bad idea for employee retention to pay them."

HARTFORD — Gov. M. Jodi Rell will not run for re-election in 2010, saying Monday that she plans to dedicate her last 14 months in office to addressing the state’s tough economic situation.
"It’s time," Rell said. "I want to thank the people of Connecticut for the honor of serving as their governor."
Rell has served as governor since 2004, when former Gov. John Rowland resigned in a corruption probe that would eventually lead to a conviction and prison time. She was elected to her own term in 2006, becoming the first Republican woman elected the state’s chief executive.
Her announcement came as a surprise at the Capitol and to her staff. Though her family knew of her plans, she said she gave them about an hour’s notice that she was going to make the decision public.
Local Republican officials in the Northwest Corner had positive, but surprised, reactions to the governor’s 5 p.m. announcement on Monday.
State Sen. Andrew Roraback, R-30, said he was "shocked" and "surprised."
"But I understand why," Roraback said. "I think it’s a decision that she reached after a lot of deliberation. And whether you agree with the governor or disagree with the governor she has given 25 years of her life in service to the people of this state."
Rell was elected in 1984 to the state House of Representatives, where she served for 10 years as a representative in Brookfield. She then was elected to lieutenant governor in 1995, serving another 10 years in the state and succeeded Roland for five years as governor.
Roraback said he has known Rell for the past 15 years — noting that she was a constituent because Brookfield is in the 30th district. Roraback added that he considered Rell a "friend" and that she has a "very good heart."
"It’s a tough job, particularly in these economic times," he said. "But her heart has always been in the right place."
Former state Rep. Anne Ruwet, who served as Torrington’s representative until 2008, said the governor has been an "incredible leader" who she has the highest resect for. Ruwet said she met the governor when serving on the City Council in Torrington, and knew Rell while she served in the General Assembly with Ruwet’s father, Joseph Ruwet.
The former state representative said she heard Rell was going to make a decision after the municipal elections in 2009. Ruwet said she knew Rell had been teetering on the idea, and that she hoped the governor would make a decision to run again.
"She’s been an incredible and stable force in state government," she said.

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.

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that AIG has provided the Department of Consumer Protection with contract documents – in accordance with a subpoena issued Thursday – relating to the $165 million in bonuses given out by its financial products division.
On Wednesday, Governor Rell ordered Commissioner Farrell to issue the subpoena to AIG as part of an investigation into how the company’s bonuses might be voided. AIG had cited Connecticut law in saying the bonuses were required by contract.
“With this information, we will determine how the contracts were crafted and whether they violate any provisions of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act,” Governor Rell said. “The Act includes language that addresses actions that may be ‘against public policy’ and that will be one key area of the review.
“The public policy Congress intended when it enacted the Troubled Asset Relief Program was to provide bailout funds – that is, taxpayer money – in order to stabilize financial companies and restore the flow of credit to consumers,” the Governor said. “That money was never intended to provide windfalls to the very people whose greed and lack of oversight led to the implosion of our financial markets.
“I am pleased that we obtained these documents quickly, given the seriousness of this issue,” Governor Rell said. “The documents will be scrutinized closely and we will report our findings as soon as the investigation is complete.”
The largest AIG bonus given was $6.4 million; bonuses of more than $4 million were given to six employees, the Governor said. Another 66 people received bonuses of more than $1 million each. In total, more than 400 people in AIG’s financial products division received bonuses. All employee names have been redacted from the documents, according to Commissioner Farrell.
“For the purposes of our current investigation into the overall legality of these documents, the names of the recipients are not necessary at this time,” Farrell said. “Depending upon the legal conclusions we reach and whether there is a need for enforcement action, our subpoena remains active and we can still get the names, should we make a determination that they are necessary.”
The Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, codified as Connecticut General Statutes Section 42-110a, was enacted in 1973.

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that her budget office now estimates the shortfall in the current year’s state budget at about $667 million, reflecting an infusion of more than $380 million in federal stimulus money but a continual, steady drop in tax collections.
“The recession continues to erode all our revenue streams. It is crucial, and has been for months now, that we urgently identify and act on spending cuts,” Governor Rell said.
The persistent gap comes even after the latest round of budget cuts by the Governor and General Assembly. Governor Rell has taken a number of cost-saving steps over the past several months, including four rounds of rescissions, a ban on out-of-state travel, a hiring freeze and she has presented three deficit mitigation plans to the Legislature.
“We are still chasing a moving target,” Governor Rell said. “There remains millions of dollars in potential savings left on the table from the last mitigation plan and it is more than past time – midway through the current budget year – that we tap into them. That is the essence of my fourth mitigation plan. The Legislature and I must work together to identify those savings on which we can agree. The taxpayers of Connecticut are counting on us to make a real difference this time.”
The estimate today from the Office of Policy and Management is the latest of several projections of the current budget year shortfall, which was $944 million last month. The monthly letter from OPM to the Comptroller includes a downward revision of revenues by $275.8 million.
OPM points to a drop in personal income tax of $60 million and a drop in sales tax revenue of $85 million. State tax refunds are also expected to be down by $120 million because they have significantly exceeded their target and because various business tax refunds – notably the Film Industry Tax Credit – have exceeded their target.
Additional cost-cutting and an increase in the amount of money agencies expect to have left over when this fiscal year ends on June 30 also helped offset the decline in tax collections. That resulted in increase in deficit of $107 million from February’s estimate. Also off-setting revenue losses for the month is the estimated $383.8 million the state is expected to receive from the enhanced Medicaid reimbursement in the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Chris Dodd (D- CT) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) today announced the release of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study addressing access to music and arts education for public school students as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Dodd and Alexander called for the study in response to reports that the testing requirements of NCLB were forcing some schools, particularly those that serve low-income and minority students, to narrow their curriculum and restrict access to music and arts education.
“This study’s findings clearly show that many students across the country are losing their chance to study music and the arts,” said Dodd, Chairman of the Children & Families Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. “I hope the Department of Education will follow the GAO’s recommendation and conduct further research into this disturbing trend. Moreover, I hope that the GAO will reconsider its conclusions by reviewing current research on arts education and student outcomes. No child – regardless of family income, race, or hometown – should be denied the opportunity to discover and develop his or her unique talents.”
“We know the importance of a well-rounded education, and this study shows that some school districts are narrowing their curriculum instead of broadening it,” said Alexander, Ranking Republican on the Children & Families Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). “While we must ensure that our children are prepared in reading and mathematics, we know that good school leaders find creative ways to include music in the curriculum, too. I hope that Congress will reexamine the role of Washington mandates and provide flexibility for state and local leaders to ensure that our students can read and write, understand mathematics, know science, have a knowledge of U.S. history, and also have an appreciation for music.”
"Emerging research continues to demonstrate the importance of music and arts education to children and young people in U.S. public schools," said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the NAMM Foundation. "We hope that this GAO study contributes to an on-going and productive dialogue about ways to keep music education strong in our schools and communities to assure access for all children especially those that have experienced reductions in this element of the core curriculum."
The study, entitled “Access to Arts Education,” outlined the following conclusions:

The study identified a decrease in instruction time for arts education with "statistically significant" differences across school characteristics (low-income, minority, urban/rural). Specifically, teachers at schools identified as needing improvement and those with higher percentages of minority students, were more likely to report a reduction in time spent on the arts.

Teachers at elementary schools with high percentages of low-income or minority students reported larger arts instruction time reductions than teachers in schools with low percentages of low-income or minority students.

Of 32 states that awarded arts education grants (in school years 2001-2002 and 2006-2007), 37 percent had funding decreases and 15 percent had funding increases. Arts education officials attributed this to decreased budgets and competing demands on instruction time.

The GAO study recommended that the Department of Education, in its planned study of NCLB implementation, include questions that would help clarify why instruction time in music and arts education has decreased for some students. The study also indicated that from the perspective of the GAO, research on the effect of arts education on student success is inconclusive. However, the GAO’s referenced research was published in 2000 and fails to take into account current and ongoing research, both qualitative and quantitative, that provides contemporary knowledge about the role and impact of arts education.

Governor M. Jodi Rell today reminded employers that a state program can provide them with a viable alternative to layoffs during the current economic downturn.
Connecticut's Shared Work Program allows a business to reduce the work schedule of permanent, full-time employees during a temporary decline in business. An employer can reduce hours rather than laying off part of the work force during slow times. In turn, affected employees will receive partial unemployment insurance benefits to supplement the wages they lose.
"Approximately 300 businesses in Connecticut are currently taking advantage of this program," Governor Rell said. "Many of them are manufacturing companies that value their skilled work force but do not have enough current orders to keep their employees working full-time.
"This program helps to alleviate costly retraining expenses that would otherwise be incurred as the result of a layoff," the Governor said. "It's a win-win situation when workers can continue to bring home a paycheck and employers know their highly skilled - and highly valued - employees will be ready to go when the economy rebounds."
Governor Rell pointed out that under the Shared Work Program, employees retain their jobs, financial security, health insurance and retirement benefits. In addition, they avoid the economic and emotional hardships caused by a layoff and the stress of having to look for a new job.
"The program gives employers the option of temporarily reducing personnel costs in lieu of layoffs," Governor Rell said. "Employers can maintain continuity in their work force during a downturn, which will allow them to be well-positioned and ready for future business upswings."
The Shared Work program is available to Connecticut companies that meet several basic eligibility requirements that include the following:
* Employers must have at least four full-time, permanent employees participating. Part-time and seasonal employees are not eligible
* Employers cannot eliminate or reduce employee fringe benefits
* Employee hours and wages cannot be reduced by less than 20 percent or more than 40 percent
* Program participation must be in lieu of a layoff of an equivalent percentage of employees
* Employees must be able to work and be available for full-time employment with the participating employer
* Employees must meet all regular unemployment compensation requirements
For additional information about the Shared Work Program or to obtain an application, contact the Department of Labor via e-mail at DOL.SharedWork@ct.gov or visit the agency's Web site at www.ct.gov/dol and click on the "Employer Services" section.

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the federal government has notified Connecticut that it meets the criteria for an Extended Benefits (EB) program that will provide 13 additional weeks of unemployment compensation to those who are out of work. This will increase the maximum benefit entitlement to 72 weeks for many claimants.
According to the Governor, the 13 weeks are in addition to the 26 weeks of state benefits and the 33 weeks of federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC-08) currently being provided to the state’s jobless residents.
“With unemployment now at 7.3 percent, this 13 week extension is a welcome relief to those who have been unable to find jobs in an economy that has not yet turned around,” Governor Rell said.
A state “triggers” onto Extended Benefits as a result of high unemployment rates. Traditionally, when this occurs, 50 percent of EB is paid out through the state’s Trust Fund, which is funded by employer contributions, and the federal government pays the other 50 percent. However, as a result of the stimulus bill, the federal government will pay 100 percent of the Extended Benefits for 2009, saving the State of Connecticut nearly $100 million over the next year.
“Each week, the extra $25 now being added to every unemployment check as part of the stimulus bill provides our residents with another $3 million – money that is going toward paying the bills and supporting our families,” Governor Rell said. “An extended benefits program translates to an estimated $200 million that will be provided to Connecticut’s families –one more rung on the ladder we must build to help us climb out of this recession.”
The first week that claimants receiving EUC-08 will exhaust their 33 weeks of emergency benefits will be April 11, 2009. As a result, the first payable week of the federally-funded Extended Benefits will be the week ending April 18, 2009. Eligible claimants will automatically receive the additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits.
“Over the past year, our state has lost more than 38,000 jobs and during that same time, Connecticut’s unemployment rate has jumped from 5 percent to 7.3 percent,” Governor Rell said. “Initial unemployment claims have risen more than 20 percent since last year, and many factors indicate that the nation, as well as Connecticut, will lose more jobs before the economy begins to grow again. While I am optimistic that Connecticut can work its way out of this recession, this newest extension of benefits will help us to keep our heads above water as we rebuild our state.”

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she has reconstituted the board of directors of the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation by replacing all six of her appointments to the board, effective March 12. The Governor has recommended a new board Chair and she has ordered immediate corrective actions to address the mismanagement and the host of poor business practices outlined by the Auditors of Public Accounts in a March 5 letter to Michael P. Meotti, Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education.
“The Auditors’ findings are nothing short of disgraceful,” Governor Rell said. “Whether though mismanagement or misfeasance or a combination of both, while the Foundation was driving its finances into the ground it was also paying its executives huge raises and bonuses and providing them with perks and privileges fit for kings and queens. The mission of the Foundation is to help increase access to college for our students, not to increase the administrators’ compensation and benefits at the expense of the students and, ultimately, of the Foundation itself.
“That mission and the viability of the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation have been jeopardized and I am directing these new board members to take immediate actions to right the ship and to put an end to the lavish treatment,” the Governor said. “These new members have a tremendous breadth and depth of experience in finance, education and administration and they will help restore accountability and good business practices to the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation.”
Governor Rell has named the following individuals to the Foundation board, effective March 12.
Lisa Kelly Morgan - is a partner at Ruben, Johnson & Morgan, P.C. and the Governor hopes the board members will consider her as Chair. Kelly Morgan is the former chairperson of the state’s Judicial Selection Commission.
Walter Harrison - has been the President of the University of Hartford since 1998. He previously served as vice president for university relations and secretary of the University.
William J. McGurk - is the President & CEO of Rockville Bank.
John Schyuler - is a Managing Director with UHY Advisors N.E., LLC, a partner with UHY LLP, and a member of its Management Committee. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the states of Connecticut and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Julie Drouin - is the vice president of finance and the chief financial officer at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam.
Pamela Partridge West - is a retired Vice President and Senior Business Development Officer for U.S. Trust Company in West Hartford.
In their letter, the Auditors reported that the Foundation has experienced negative cash flows in each of the last five fiscal years that totaled approximately $24.5 million and the Auditors expect another negative cash flow for the 2008 fiscal year. While its financial condition was eroding, the Foundation reduced its workforce from 162 positions to 96 and faced a foreclosure lawsuit on its headquarters -- but at the same time, the Foundation authorized a variety of specific expenses characterized by the Auditors as “excessive.”
Those expenses included large raises and bonuses for top executives, expensive golf club memberships, limousine rentals and expensive holiday parties for staff, basketball tickets at Madison Square Garden, football tickets and a satellite radio system for the Foundation president’s car. The auditors found that the Foundation not only provided its executives with “excessive” salary increases but also incurred expenses “that appear to be more for the benefit of those in management than for the operation of the foundation.”
The Connecticut Student Loan Foundation administers, guarantees and finances federal education loans.

State Rep. John Rigby, R-63, is one of several state lawmakers lobbying on the behalf of dairy farmers who want state aid to keep their farms viable.

Read more about it here.

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the state’s Recovery Working Group approved more than $200 million in federal stimulus transportation projects to quickly create jobs on dozens of statewide transportation projects, including bridge replacement and repair, road paving and traffic signal work.
“We literally want shovels in the ground and people hired by next month,” Governor Rell said. “It is essential we put people back to work and money back into our economy as soon as possible. These projects will do that as well as improve the condition and safety of our roads and bridges.”
Under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Connecticut is in line to receive $302 million for highway infrastructure projects and, of that; approximately 30 percent must go to local and regional projects. The remainder – just over $200 million – will be used for projects the Governor and DOT submitted to the Recovery Working Group today. (See list below and on Connecticut stimulus Web site: www.recovery.ct.gov).
“We have been preparing for weeks to expedite these projects, literally have them shovel-ready,” Governor Rell said. “Now with this approval, we intend to have these projects underway by the spring construction season.”
Governor Rell assembled the Recovery Working Group last month to help identify projects that qualify for federal stimulus money. The panel includes state officials, lawmakers and representatives from municipalities.
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.
“Washington will be watching to see how states use the billions of dollars in taxpayer money that make up the stimulus package,” Governor Rell said. “Connecticut is ready to move quickly on a number of critical projects that will ultimately get us back on the road to recovery.”

DOT Projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

· Trumbull/Fairfield: Merritt Parkway safety improvements, resurfacing, bridge improvements. $70.8 million.

· Branford: Reconstruction of Route 1 Amtrak Bridge. $73 million

· Statewide: Resurfacing. $18.8 million

· Northwestern Connecticut: Joint replacement of various bridges. $5 million

· Enfield: Rehabilitation of the Route 5 Bridge over I-91. $7 million.

· Westport: Rehabilitation of Hales Road Bridge over Metro-North rail lines. $4 million.

· Old Saybrook: Replace joints on Baldwin Bridge on I-95 over Connecticut River. $5 million.

· Ashford: Rehabilitate Route 89 bridge over Mount Hope River. $1.45 million.

· Statewide: Repair/replace overhead sign supports at 20 locations. $5.6 million.

· Manchester: Install traffic control signal at Slater Street/Circuit City driveway intersection. $300,000.

· Statewide: State Traffic Commission-required traffic signal installation. $7 million

· Statewide: Roadside safety improvements. $4 million.

Two state politicians proposed a bill that would change the financial oversight at Catholic churches in the state, drawing widespread controversy.

Read about it here.

Governor M. Jodi Rell today unveiled a comprehensive state Web site to help citizens follow the flow of federal stimulus dollars into Connecticut, track the progress of stimulus-funded projects and monitor the availability and creation of jobs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“It is essential that this process be as transparent and helpful and open as possible,” Governor Rell said. “Through this Web site, anyone – any citizen, public official, jobseeker, contractor – can track where the federal money is going and who is hiring,” Governor Rell said. “Not only is this transparency a stipulation of the federal act, it is the absolute right thing to do when so much taxpayer money is at stake.”
Connecticut has already begun receiving some of the $3 billion in federal stimulus money. 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.
“Our goal is to get the money back into the economy as soon as possible and put people back to work,” Governor Rell said. “This Web site contains links to employers and training opportunities. It also includes critical information on project deadlines and will serve as a clearinghouse for more funding sources.”
The new Web site – www.recovery.ct.gov – includes sections on:

· Explanation of the federal law

· Accountability of stimulus dollars

· Lists of “shovel-ready” projects and deadlines

· Latest news on the stimulus in Connecticut

· Frequently asked questions

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she has written to legislative leaders requesting passage of emergency legislation that would allow the state to quickly access millions of dollars in federal stimulus aid and begin putting people to work.
Connecticut is in line to receive approximately $3 billion: $1.65 billion in direct aid, $1.3 billion in Medicaid assistance. There are also billions of dollars more in competitive grants available. It is estimated the state could create and/or save nearly 41,000 jobs from the stimulus.
“The hallmarks of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are jobs creation and getting this money into the economy as soon as possible,” Governor Rell said in her letter of March 5 to the General Assembly leadership. “We must move expeditiously to get every last dollar for which the state of Connecticut, our towns, cities, schools and hospitals are eligible.”
The Governor is asking the Legislature to approve two emergency certification bills at its next session. One bill would shorten permit deadlines for projects considered “shovel-ready.” The second bill would make the state eligible for millions more in unemployment compensation and save Connecticut businesses millions of dollars in unemployment insurance.



Since December, the Governor’s office has received more than 2,000 projects ideas, ranging from major highway construction to town athletic fields. Those requests came from state agencies and municipalities seeking stimulus funds. A special task force, assembled by Governor Rell, has begun meeting to identify those projects qualified for federal money. The working group includes state officials, lawmakers and representatives from municipalities.
“As you know, the approval process for issuance of permits by state agencies is often lengthy and time-consuming,” Governor Rell wrote. “Since the Act requires that federal stimulus funds be obligated and spent within a relatively short timeframe, this proposed bill would tighten the timeframes for issuance of state permits so that more projects would be truly ‘shovel-ready.’”
As the national recession has worsened, so have unemployment levels in Connecticut with the jobless rate climbing to 7.1 percent. The Governor said an estimated 30,000 jobs have been lost in Connecticut over the past year and more than 130,000 citizens are currently unemployed.
“Our Department of Labor is processing unemployment claims at levels not seen in decades,” Governor Rell said. “These benefit checks are essential for the economic stability of thousands of Connecticut families and are their financial lifeline until the nation begins to recover from the recession.”
Governor Rell said the state has already received about one third of the $87 million in Unemployment Compensation Modernization funds for which it is eligible. To qualify for the rest, the state must change a law to provide unemployment benefits for any citizen who voluntarily leaves his or her job to accompany a spouse to another area from which it is impractical to commute.
The state already provides those benefits for military spouses. The Governor said getting the remaining stimulus money would help businesses save on unemployment insurance and keep the state’s unemployment fund solvent.
The Department of Labor estimates enacting this provision will cost approximately $1.2 million a year.