20 April 2008

Town Committee Meets Thursday 4/24: Mobilizing for Chris Murphy On Tap

The Democratic Town Committee’s April meeting will be held on Thursday, April 24th, beginning a 7:30 p.m.at New Britain City Hall.

To mark the appearance of Pres. Bush in the 5th Congressional District this week, New Britain Democrats will turn their attention to mobilizing for the re-election of U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy (D-5) in the 41-town Congressional District. Rep. Murphy’s district campaign coordinator, Eamon Walsh, has been invited to speak at the meeting. Democrats will also discuss the party’s neighborhood leader program – an effort to register new voters as Democrats in 2008.


Celebrate a Belated Earth Day: Clear The Land For Planting at Urban Oaks
Saturday, April 26th, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

New Britain’s Urban Oaks Organic Farm invites friends to volunteer at the Oak Street farm on Saturday, April 26th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. “There are seeds to plant, weeds to be Its that time of year again. We need to get the farm cleaned up and ready for Spring planting,” reports Urban Oaks staff members. To volunteer call: (860) 223-6200 or email: urbanoaks@earthlink.net. Interested persons are asked to wear clothes that you don’t mind dirtying and gloves if you have them. Visit the farm's website and blog at www.urbanoaks.org

Health Care Partnership Advances; $900,000 Savings For New Britain Seen in 2009

Major legislation that would reduce the city of New Britain’s health insurance costs by an estimated $900,000 per year has won the approval of several key committees in the General Assembly giving proponents hope that it will be approved prior to the May 6th adjournment.
The Health Care Partnership Act – touted by House Majority leader 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.” The bill – No. 5536 – has won the go ahead from the labor, appropriations, and insurance committees on its ways to the House floor and the state Senate for floor votes.
According to an analysis of the bill, it requires that premiums the municipal and other employers pay be the same as those the state pays for the same insurance plans. The measure, if adopted, would take effect in 2009.
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 and has brought substantial savings in health premium costs to municipalities in other states. Mayor Stewart was also critical of Rep. Donovan for claiming that it would produce the $900,000 in annual savings to the city as a result of the city joining the state employee health care pool. Under the plan, benefits would likely increase for employees at a reduced cost to local taxpayers.

More information on the bill may be found at http://www.housedems.ct.gov/CHP/index.asp

City Council Action Expected On Building Commission, Cost Of War Resolution

The New Britain City Council is expected to take up the re-establishment of a city Building Commission and a resolution opposing the U.S. Iraq war policy at its meeting on Wednesday, April 23rd. Both items are expected to gain Council approval. A new Building Commission has drawn bi-partisan support in the City Council and New Britain is poised to join other communities in New England in a resolution of concern about the cost of the Iraq war.

The public may speak at the Wednesday Council meeting during public participation which will begin at approximately 7 p.m.

Related stories:

The Courant covered the New Britain Council Iraq Resolution earlier this month

The Herald covered the Building Commission vote expected this week.