All The Democratic News Fit To Print In and Around New Britain, CT (USA)

Monday, April 6, 2009

6 April 2009

Health Care Forum at Pulaski Democratic Club, April 18th

A Coalition of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and other organizations will sponsor a forum with Cong Chris Murphy (D-5) in New Britain on April 18th at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street. The forum will be held from 10 a.m. to noon.

President Obama and Cong. Murphy have embraced Health Care for America Now (HCAN) principles which state that "all of us benefit from healthy communities, where we all have access to affordable, quality health care from a provider of our choice, at the time we need it, at a cost we can afford. Our mutual goal is affordable, quality health care for everyone in America and for our nation."

A statement form the SEIU coalition on the forum says: "Now is time to fix our health care system. Come and share your story about how and why our health care system needs to be reformed, and hear about the latest reform proposals before Congress. Learn how you can get involved in bringing health care reform to America now!

Please Contact Stacey for more information or to RSVP. Stacey Zimmerman SEIU - CT State Council stacey@ccag.net 203-733-0173. Additional information is available at www.healthcareforamericanow.org

Rell, GOP Missing In Action On Budget Talks

Democratic legislative leaders were awaiting word on Monday (April 6) from Governor Rell on when she will be available to begin negotiations on a new two-year budget that begins on July 1.

Democratic-led appropriations and finance committees unveiled a fiscal plan last Thursday, as reported by CT News Junkie, that addresses a monumental deficit that may reach $10 billion without tax increases and budget cuts. On the spending side the Democratic plan cuts Rell's proposed spending by almost $150 million but preserves many education and a social safety net programs. The centerpiece of the Democrat's revenue plan is adoption of a progress income tax that would raise rates on a graduated scale in upper income brackets. Rell is said to be adamantly opposed to income tax hikes despite her call two years ago to underwrite an education initiative with $3 billion in tax increases when the economy was relatively stable. Other aspects of the revenue plan would end exemptions on various sales tax items and elimination of the $500 property tax credit on all but low-income people. The Democrats' use of these regressive measures is unusual and underscores the steep shortfall the state will find itself in on July 1.

Democrats called for immediate talks with the administration, but Rell has thus far refused to begin discussions on a bipartisan compromise. The Legislature's Republican caucus, meanwhile, has refused to offer any budget proposals and continues to be missing in action on the most serious fiscal crisis the state has faced the state in a generation. GOP rhetoric rails against state spending and invokes the "no new taxes" pledge but Republican leaders have offered few specifics on how they would address the deficit problem and maintain core state services. Rell's initial budget, according to nonpartisan accounts, has been estimated to be more than $2 billion out of balance.

The Administration and a coalition of public employee unions has been engaging in serious talks on concessions that would increase health care premiums and related costs for all state workers, impose as many as seven payless furlough days over the next two years, assess employees a 3% of gross income fee toward retirement health insurance and offer a retirement incentive program that would allow eligible personnel to leave state service. Labor concessions, if agreed to by all sides, could save upwards of $800 million and would be part of a no lay-off agreement for two or three years.

Registered Voters Drop To 32,817 In March

The number of registered voters declined in March from 33,258 to 32,817 -- a decrease of 441. The March 31st totals include 17,673 Democrats (53.8%), 11,376 Unaffiliated (34.6%) and 3,593 Republicans (10.9%).

End Quote

"So today, I state clearly and with conviction America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons. I'm not naive. This goal will not be reached quickly -- perhaps not in my lifetime. It will take patience and persistence. But now we, too, must ignore the voices who tell us that the world cannot change. We have to insist, "Yes, we can." -- President Obama last week in Prague calling for new efforts on elimination of nuclear stockpiles and weapons.
New Britain Democrat e-letter: John McNamara, Chair and Editor; Post Office Box 2112, New Britain , CT 06050; New Britain Democrat e-letters and updates may be found at http://newbritaindemocrat.blogspot.com

Labor donated. New Britain Democratic Town Committee. John Valengavich Treasurer.

Approved by John McNamara

NOTICE: If you do not wish to receive this e-letter, contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com and write "Cancel" in the subject box.

THANK YOU

Blog Archive

New Britain Democrats

New Britain, Connecticut, United States
New Britain Democrat is a digest of e-newsletters that present news, views and information from the New Britain Democratic Town Committee. John McNamara, the Town Chair, is the editor. Mailing Address: Post Office Box 2112 New Britain, CT 06050 John Valengavich, Treasurer