Barack O'Berry Soda, Pierogis and Politics Thursday (6/18) at Pulaski Democratic Club

The New Britain Democratic Town Committee will meet Thursday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street to discuss municipal nominations and the stalemated state budget.The meeting will be preceeded by a "Pierogi Night" fundraising reception starting at 5:30 pm to benefit the DTC's 2009 Get Out the Vote activities. There is a suggested donation of $20 for the reception. Refreshments include Barack O'Berry soda from Avery's. All are welcome. For more information go to www.newbritaindemocrat.net.

Three Candidates Seek Endorsement for Town and City Clerk

Three Democrats, including two incumbent office holders, have announced their interest in becoming Town and City Clerk in 2009. The candidates include Peter J. Denuzze, the four-term incumbent who has been re-elected to the four-year post without opposition in past elections. Newcomer Angelo D' Alfonso is also seeking the endorsement. D'Alfonso, a business outreach coordinator for the local Chambers of Commerce, has long been active in the city's civic and fraternal organizations.

Joining the field this week is Alderman At Large Suzanne Bielinski, the Common Council President, who is the longest serving member of the city's Council.

The DTC's nominations committee is currently gathering information on candidates for city office as part of endorsements which will be made by Democrats on July 23rd.

DTC Chairman John McNamara urged all prospective candidates to contact the committee by July 1. Besides town clerk, the DTC will be endorsing candidates for Mayor, Tax Collector, City Council, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeal and Constable. Information available at www.newbritaindemocrat.net or by emailing newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

Rell's Proposed Budget Cuts Opposed at DMV: Lawmakers Assess Damage To New Britain In GOP Budget

Residents and elected officials turned up at New Britain's DMV office last Saturday to oppose Governor Rell's proposal to close the office, which is one of the busiest in the state. House Speaker Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) was joined by State Reps. Betty Boukus (D-22) John Geragosian (D-25), Tim O'Brien (D-24) and Peter Tercyak (D-26) with speakers from the local muffler repair shop owner to Donovan saying the closing doesn't make sense.

The stalemate continues on the state budget two weeks from the end of the fiscal year. Speaker Donovan indicated over the weekend that his Chamber may move ahead and adopt a budget with the Governor continuing to sit out negotiations.

New Britain lawmakers have sharply criticized Rell's plan this month for "budget cuts that will drastically and negatively effect New Britain’s families and small businesses. In a joint statement Democrats called GOP cuts "irresponsible and unconscionable", because the governor "has sought to balance the state’s multi-billion-dollar deficit on the backs of poor children, senior citizens and working families struggling to get by in difficult times."

Besides the DMV closing, Rell is proposing a a 10 percent reduction in education grants.

“I’m disappointed that Governor Rell has once again decided to balance the budget on the backs of the working families of New Britain,” said Representative John C. Geragosian (D-25), who serves as House chair of the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee. “Cutting job training, education, health care, programs for seniors and disabled citizens and other important services is irresponsible during a recession. Instead, we should ask the wealthiest of Connecticut’s residents to pay a few more dollars to protect our vital services.” At Saturday's DMV event, Geragosian said Rell's moves will put people out of work at a time when public investments are needed for economic recovery.

“It is disappointing that Governor Rell would rather take away Dial-A-Ride, property tax relief, education and health care funding and close our DMV office than ask the wealthy in rich towns to contribute their fair share,” said Representative Tim O’Brien (D-24). “It is also disappointing to see her engaging in petty name-calling that is unfair to the hard work Representative John Geragosian is doing for the people of our state as Appropriations chair.”

The legislators said they will work to avoid Rell's cuts that will directly impact New Britain, including elimination of funding for neighborhood youth centers and public libraries and other support for community organizations. Rell, who refuses to compromise on asking wealthier residents to absorb an increase in the income tax, would also slash financial aid for college students and increase bus fares by 40 percent.

The governor has also proposed borrowing more than $2 billion—which would saddle every man, woman and child in the state of Connecticut with $700 in debt. The delegation pointed out that, while Governor Rell has been unwilling to discuss revenue increases, she apparently has no reluctance burdening a new generation of Connecticut taxpayers with unrelenting debt.

Thus far, Governor Rell has rebuffed numerous requests from top legislative leaders that she personally participate in active budget negotiations, the lawmakers' statement asserted.

6 June 2009

Pierogi Night, June Meeting At Pulaski Democratic Club June 18th

The Democratic Town Committee will hold a "Pierogi Night" fundraiser for party building activities on Thursday, June 18th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street. The suggested donation is $20. Information available at www.newbritaindemocrat.net

The event will be followed by the June meeting of the DTC, beginning shortly after 7:30 p.m. at thejavascript:void(0) Pulaski Club. The public is welcome to attend the meeting.

Voter Registration Update: DTC Could Add Seats If Obama Bounce Holds

Voter registration at the end of May showed a slight drop in enrollment from the Presidential year high.There are 32,758 residents registered to vote in the city, including 17,599 Democrats, 11,214 Unaffiliateds, 385 from minor parties and 3,560 Republicans. The surge in Democratic enrollment in 2008 may result in the 48-member Town Committee adding seats for the term that begins in 2010 if enrollment numbers can be sustained. Adding seats would be Voting Districts 4, 10 and 13, which currently have three members. Under party rules, every voting district gets at least three three members. Districts which have at least 1,201 Democrats next January may add a seat.

Additional seats will depend on whether Democrats can stay at or above the threshold for a fourth seat. Currently, the only districts with four seats include Districts 1, 2 and 14.

Democratic Chairman John McNamara has said he may propose increasing the minimum number of seats in each district to promote greater citizen participation and involvement in the local party. A larger Town Committee would require a rules change by two-thirds of the membership and would take effect in the next term. Presently, the Town Committee appoints residents to vacancies for Justice of the Peace if they volunteer in the community and welcomes others as non-voting associate members to serve on committees to promote involvement.


Council Adopts City Budget: Money For Senior Tax Relief, Library and After School Programs Put Back In

Common Council Democrats adopted an alternative budget to Mayor Stewart's $216.3 million proposal late this week, restoring a senior property tax relief program and using a line-by-line approach to paring expenses to hold the mill rate at 34.98.

According to the print edition of Saturday's Herald the Council restored:

* a senior property tax credit program authorized in prior years by ignored by the administration;
* six police officer positions;
* a parking enforcement position as a means of generating additional revenue;
* funding to the library and after-school programs that has been cut by the Mayor.

On the revenue side the Council seeks "at least $250,000" by stepping up code enforcement against slumlords and negotiating $150,000 in concessions from municipal unions.

Facing a deadline despite uncertainty over state aid and questionable Stewart administration revenue estimates, the Council worked throughout the week to revise Stewart's proposal.

Democratic Town Chairman John McNamara praised the Council's line-by-line approach to cutting expenses and the pursuit of concessions from unions to avoid layoffs and cutbacks to essential services.

"The Council proposal is a step toward a fair and responsible budget in tough economic times. Specific cuts are preferable to across the board ones to attain savings, and concessions that can be worked out with labor unions are preferable to layoffs in public safety and education."

The Herald endorses Health Care Partnership

The editorial page of The Herald has endorsed the House-passed Health Care Partnership Act that would let cities and towns and others participate voluntarily in the state's health insurance pool.

Adopted in up to 20 other states the pooling proposal has gained support for the comprehensive coverage it would provide to employees at considerably lower premiums. Along with rising energy and electricity costs, health coverage has been the fastest-growing expense for local governments. Unsurprisingly, Mayor Stewart is an outspoken opponent of the measure.

The partnership legislation, along with the Sustinet health insurance reform bill, faces hurdles in the state Senate and a veto threat from Gov. Rell. Rell, in vetoing the partnership bill last year, left room for compromise or re-consideration.

For proponents, it boils down to a choice between the profits and dominance of private health insurances versus a state pooling option that can bring savings to taxpayers and good coverage for participants.

Speaker of the House Chris Donovan's office has estimated a potential savings for the City of New Britain of up to $900,000.

29 May 2009

Chris Murphy To Host Saturday (5/30) Housing and Mortgage Seminar At N.B. City Hall

Congressman Murphy (D-5) is holding a mortgage seminar on Saturday, May 30th, at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street, Room 504 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend to learn how to go about getting an affordable mortgage and how to get help for those who are falling behind on paying their mortgage. Cong. Murphy will be joined by experts from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, New Britain Neighborhood Housing Services, Fannie Mae and McCue Mortgage.

Mayor Stewart's fuzzy revenue estimates: when will sales of development properties be realized?

It's crunch time for the Mayor and City Council to arrive at a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. City officials already face the uncertainty of not knowing state aid amounts on the weekend before the state legislature is scheduled to adjourn. That makes it critically important that Mayor Stewart's estimates for the sale of property, set at $3.5 million next year and $4.5 million this year, be confirmed. Unfortunately, these property sales, largely based on the Pinnacle Heights development, are not yet real.

The following is a post on the issue at NB Politicus:

Revenue Gap Threatens New Britain Municipal Budget
It's a year when local and state governments are struggling with falling tax revenues and a severe economic downturn. New Britain is facing all of those struggles plus one more potential hole that could break the city budget in the new fiscal year.

The problem? Mayor Stewart's proposed $216.3 million estimate, now getting scrutiny by the Common Council, has added millions of dollars of revenue that may not exist at all.

The Mayor's numbers for the sale of real property includes a $3.5 million line item, an increase of $3 million over the Board of Finance's $500,000 estimate. The source of the $3 million has been reported to be the city's sale of the former Pinnacle Heights public housing project to Centerplan development company.

Back in March Mayor Stewart told the Herald: "It’s still up in the air but it’s because of the major change in the economy. Unfortunately, that’s something none of us can control. However, we can work to make sure the deal goes through eventually.”

At issue is whether the $3 million in property revenue and perhaps millions more booked by the city's finance department for the sale of property in previous years are for real, or based on any solid promises to give by the buyers.

The Common Council, in addition to its line by line review of the budget with department heads, needs to ascertain the status of the Mayor's revenue estimates, particularly with regard to sale of property, for a true picture of the city's finances. As the June budget deadline approaches, there are millions of dollars being used to balance the city budget with nothing so far to back it up.

Time is running short on adopting a municipal budget by mid June. It's time for the Mayor to lead, not mislead the public on whether those property sale revenues can be counted on before June 30th.

No one can blame anyone at City Hall for a bad economy but City Hall has an obligation to tell the truth -- even if that truth is bad news.

Municipal Endorsements: Interviews Slated For June

The Democratic Town Committee's nominations committee continues to gather information from prospective candidates as part of the DTC's endorsements of city offices this year.

The Democrats' slate will include Mayor, Town and City Clerk, Tax Collector, Treasurer, Common Council (10 District, 5 At large), Board of Education (3), Board of Assessment Appeal (2) and Constable (4).

All Democrats interested in seeking office are asked to submit information to the committee in preparation for July endorsements.

Candidate information forms are available upon request at the Town Committee web site www.newbritaindemocrat.net

Trailblazing Decision: Obama Nominates Judge Sotomayor

President Obama on his Supreme Court pick:

"Judge (Sonia) Sotomayor has lived the America Dream. Born and raised in a South Bronx housing project, she distinguished herself in academia and then as a hard-charging New York District Attorney.

Judge Sotomayor has gone on to earn bipartisan acclaim as one of America's finest legal minds. As a Supreme Court Justice, she would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any Justice in 100 years. Judge Sotomayor would show fidelity to our Constitution and draw on a common-sense understanding of how the law affects our day-to-day lives."



Source: Organizing for America/Democratic National Committee

20 May 2009

Health Care Partnership Advances In House; Potential Savings To City Taxpayers

Legislation to allow cities and towns an option to join self-insured state health care plans overwhelmingly passed the state House of Representatives Wednesday night.

The Health Care Partnership Act – pushed by House Speaker Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) and New Britain lawmakers – “allows municipalities, certain municipal service contractors, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses to join the state employee health insurance plan for their employees and retirees.”

According to proponents, enactment of the legislation could reduce the city of New Britain’s health insurance costs by an estimated $900,000 per year. In effect in 20 other states, the health insurance polling concept has curbed and reduced rising health insurance premiums for local governments.

State Rep. John Geragosian (D-25), the House Appropriations chair, has pointed to the Partnership plan as a way to reduce one of the fastest rising costs for city government.

State Rep. Tim O'Brien (D-24) agrees: "This is important legislation because it would help keep property taxes down and extend quality affordable health care coverage for small businesses." Added O'Brien: "New Britain property taxpayers need the nearly $900,000 in savings this legislation is estimated to provide by lowering how much the city would have to pay for health insurance. And as I go door to door talking to the people I represent, many people who own or work for small businesses and non-profit organizations tell me how interested they are about the possibility of being able to get the quality state health plan at low premium prices from the state's bulk purchasing power."

Mayor Timothy Stewart (R-New Britain) has been critical of the legislation, arguing that it interferes with local collective bargaining agreements. Municipal union leaders, however, are strongly backing the partnership act that exists in Massachusetts and other states. Under the plan, benefits would likely increase for employees at a reduced cost to local taxpayers. Under the 2009 legislation adopted by the House, the partnership would extend eligibility to nonprofit organizations and small businesses.

Similar legislation, which faces opposition from insurance lobbyists and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (an organization that sells insurance to small businesses) was adopted by the House and state Senate last year but Governor Rell successfully vetoed the plan. Enactment may depend on the state Senate approving the measure with a veto-proof majority.

Reminder: Town Committee Meets Thursday, May 21

The Democratic Town Committee will holds its May meeting on Thursday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, Room 504. A discussion on current developments on municipal and state budgets will be part of the agenda. The Committee will receive an update on endorsements for municipal offices. The DTC will endorse municipal candidates in July. The public is invited to attend. For information on the municipal candidate endorsement process please visit www.newbritaindemocrat.net

Sunday, 17 May 2009

Obama At Notre Dame

Right-wing and intolerant elements of the Catholic Church, aided and abetted by some in the church's hierarchy, are attacking President Obama and Notre Dame for Obama’s involvement in the University’s commencement today.

Click here http://www.catholicdemocrats.org/index.php to send a message to support Notre Dame University’s decision to invite President Obama to be the commencement speaker.

Town Committee To Meet Thursday, May 21

The Democratic Town Committee will holds its May meeting on Thursday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, Room 504. The Committee will review the current development on the municipal and state budgets and receive an update on endorsements for municipal offices. The public is invited to attend. For information on the municipal candidate endorsement process please visit www.newbritaindemocrat.net

Dems Urged To Show Support For Health Care Reform In Hartford and Washington

Health care reform and efforts to reduce the number of citizens who have no health insurance increased in both Hartford and Washington last week

National Health Care Reform: Let congress know we support the President in his quest for quality, affordable health care reform this legislative session by signing the petition (http://www.capitolconnect.com/fairhealthcare/?gclid=CM2voZ-zvpoCFRYpFQodGiCDrw) online.

Connecticut Health Care Reform: Take action and sign the online Petition for Passage of SustiNet HB6600 Health Care Reform Plan. Sign the petition at http://www.ctobama.org.

According to proponents of the legislation: "SustiNet is the most complete Connecticut-specific health care reform plan ready for action at the state legislature. SustiNet is built on experience and input from people who know firsthand the good and bad of our current health care system - doctors, nurses and hospitals; small business owners and corporate leaders; people without health insurance and with inadequate coverage; labor unions; faith leaders; and health care advocates. They worked with Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut and leading national experts to design the best plan for our state that delivers quality, choice, better health and economic sustainability.

End Quote

"Now more than ever, we must stand up for our enduring principles and values. We can't lie low while the Republican Party tries to pass itself off as the party of 'moral values,' at the very time when it shortchanges America's children, neglects the nation's needy, and leaves America with trillions of dollars in debt for future generations to pay off. We must not give the time of day to a party that mobilizes the hateful reactionary forces of bigotry, greed, and fear and tries to win elections by fomenting irreconcilable divisions in our people."

- Senator Edward M. Kennedy (quote from Catholic Democrats’ home page)