The impact of federal stimulus funds and the Governor's state budget proposal will be discussed at the February meeting of the New Britain Democratic Town Committee. The meeting will be held Thursday, February 19th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street.
Democratic Town Chair John McNamara said New Britain legislators and city elected officials will be invited to address the town committee meeting on challenges facing state and city government amid a severe and growing recession. According to recent press reports, New Britain's share of state aid to cities and towns will drop by more than two percent in the Governor's budget. The city's grand list fell in 2008 -- a development that will place a greater burden on city taxpayers.
"Democrats will be looking for the best use of the federal stimulus for New Britain and alternatives to the Governor's budget proposal that shortchanges New Britain," said McNamara.
The $18.8 billion budget proposed by Governor Rell has drawn praise for holding the line on state aid to education, but may be as much as $3 billion out of balance according to the legislature's nonpartisan budget office. In remarks to the Hartford Courant, State Rep. John Geragosian (D-25), the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, said: "It punts to the legislature the politically hard work. It is a partial effort, but it is not a serious effort."
State Rep. Tim O'Brien (D-24) noted positive parts of Rell's budget but expressed disappointment in the bottom line: " A freeze in the Education Cost Sharing Grant funding is better than a cut, but I am deeply concerned that Gov. Rell's budget would result in higher property taxes and less local services - such as larger class sizes for kids in our local schools. It is not a complete budget, either, leaving a state deficit of $2.7 billion over two years. I do not know why it is that the Governor would submit a budget so far out of balance. I will say that the Governor's job creation program, bringing back the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps is a good idea. It is an idea that I have been talking about as a good way to help people in these tough times with what they want - jobs. But the fact that it is so far out of balance and leaves many, many important needs unmet makes this budget proposal very problematic. I had hoped for better and I am disappointed."
In other business, the Town Committee will consider forming a nominations committee for candidates for the November 2nd municipal election and will continue to fill Justices of the Peace vacancies. The meeting is open to the public.
In Memoriam:
Jim Carey Jr., 86, a former Mayor of New Britain and longtime member of the New Britain Democratic Town Committee, died February 4th. Mayor Carey was an Army veteran having served in the 102nd army infantry division in Europe. He received two Purple Hearts including his service during the Battle the Bulge. An educator, Mayor Carey was proud to play a part in bringing the Head Start program to New Britain. He also worked in the labor movement as a director of public relations for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 4.
New Britain Democrats extend sympathy to Mayor Carey's wife, Maxine, and all the members of the Carey family. The family requests that memorial donations may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 1755 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT 06053 or the Hospital of Central Connecticut Dialysis Unit, New Britain Campus 100 Grand St. New Britain (http://www.thocc.org/giving/
Irving Stolberg, 72, a former Speaker of the CT House of Representatives, died February 13th in New Haven after a lengthy illness. Rep. Stolberg rose up in New Haven politics with U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman and the Caucus of CT Democrats in the late 60s and early 70s. Stolberg broke with Lieberman in 2006 over the Iraq war and foreign policy and endorsed Ned Lamont.
Former Rep. Stolberg, a progressive Democrat who led the General Assembly in the 1980s, became a strong advocate for peace and social justice throughout the world following his legislative career. His work with the United Nations Association and the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad led him to many countries as an advisor on democracy and in promoting educational and cultural exchanges with other countries. Memorial services are planned in New Haven and Hartford and will be announced.
