27 April 2008

New Britain Council Urges Bush, Congress To Get Out Of Iraq

In a party-line vote of 13 to 2 on April 23rd, the New Britain Common Council adopted a resolution that urges the President and Congress to end the war in Iraq and re-direct federal spending to domestic needs. The only two Republicans on the Council heeded the wishes of Mayor Timothy Stewart and voted against the measure that had unanimous Democratic support.

The resolution, proposed by first-term Alderwoman At Large Eva Magnuszewski (photo), "expresses its deep opposition to the Bush Administration's continuation of the war in Iraq after its mendacious and deceptive methods of garnering initial support." The statement, similar to those adopted by the New Haven and Hartford city councils, honors the service of U.S. military men and women who continue to be in harm's way five years after Pres. Bush declared the mission was "accomplished." As local officials seek to balance a tight municipal budget and mitigate the impact of property revaluation, the resolution cited the billions in costs for the war and the difference that some of those dollars would make domestically. The daily financial burden of Iraq of more than $330 million ($2 billion per week) far exceeds the $220 million city budget of New Britain for a year. Magnuszewski said New Britain was the 285th local government in the country to oppose the Bush Iraq policy.

City Dems Prepare For May Conventions, Endorsement Meeting

New Britain Democrats will participate in May conventions to nominate state legislators and the 5th District Congressman. The Democratic Town Committee will also meet to endorse state representative candidates with districts that are within city boundaries. Endorsements for Justices of the Peace ans the party's Registrar of Voters will round out party the endorsement process at the local level.

The schedule:

May 10: The Democratic State Convention will be held to endorse Democratic National Committee members and to consider changes to party rules. The convention will be held at Central Connecticut State University

May 12: The 5th Congressional Convention will be held (U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy) at Crosby High School in Waterbury.

May 19: The 6th State Senate Convention will be held (State Senator Don DeFronzo) for delegates from Berlin, Farmington and New Britain.

May 20: State Representative conventions from multi-town districts will be held. For New Britain this includes the 22nd District (Voting District 15 only—State Rep. Betty Boukus) and the 24th District (Newington and New Britain – State Rep. Tim O’Brien)

May 20-27: The Democratic Town Committee will meet between May 20th and May 27th for endorsement of single town State Representative (the 25th district represented by State Rep. John Geragosian and the 26th represented by State Rep. Peter Tercyak); Registrar of Voters and Justice of the Peace.

Delegate slates for New Britain may be found at http://www.newbritaindemocrat.net/

From NB Politicus:

Bush Visit At Taxpayer Expense Raises Big Bucks For Murphy Challenger

President Bush's visit to Connecticut and the 5th Congressional District on Friday raised as much as $700K, according to press reports . Much of the money is supposed to benefit the presumptive opponent of first-term U.S. Rep Chris Murphy, State Senator David Cappiello.

Bush used a Hartford speech on malaria-fighting efforts to underwrite an obviously partisan journey to the Kent home of Nixon administration Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger. Invitees came at $1,000 per person and got a photo with the President for $10,000.In a bizarre twist to the trip shared with a group of 5th CD Democrats this weekend, the White House called Cong. Murphy's office last Tuesday to invite him to accompany the President on Air Force One on his way to the Northwest Hills to shake the GOP money tree for Murphy's opponent. No word yet on whether Murphy's office staff has stopped laughing yet. New England's only GOP member of Congress, Chris Shays, took the free ride.

While Cappiello needed the kind of cash that a sitting President could bring him, many Democrats and unaffiliated voters will be asking just what part of Bush's policies does Cappiello plan to run on. There was no evidence that Cappiello engaged in any photo ops with Bush. Nary a word on the Cappiello website.

Chances are the Republican challenger will do his best to ignore George Bush completely the rest of the way. It appears his strategy is to run a stealth campaign of quietly backing the Bush agenda and painting himself a Nancy Johnson moderate. To know the real David Cappiello, however, all voters will have to do his follow the money trail back to the White House.

The largess given to Cappiello is the best tip off yet of what he stands for and how he will vote: for wasteful war without security, for deficits, for the continuing economic slide of working and middle income people as the rich guys with the long driveways who live next to Henry Kissinger get a tax break.

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.

13 April 2008

Bysiewicz, Tercyak To Host Polish Day at Capitol April 30th

"Polish Day at the Capitol", an annual event that celebrates the anniversary of the Polish Constitution and honors Polish Americans in Connecticut, will be held on April 30th at 11 a.m. in the Hall of the Flags at the State Capitol in Hartford. Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and State Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26) will host "Polish Day" with this year's honors going to Eleanor "Lottie" Pozniak, Stanley Pac and the memories of John Jeski and Ray Henry.

The event was started by New Britain State Rep. Stanley Krawiec of the 26th Assembly District more than 20 years ago -- a tradition continued by his successors. In conjunction with the event Bysiewicz has announced that she will serve as state Honorary Chair for a national Get Out The Vote effort in the Polish community called "Polonia Votes 2008'. It has a goal of encouraging one million new Polish Americans across the country to vote on November 4th.

State Central Committee Election Thursday, April 17th

Delegates to the Democratic State Convention from Berlin, Farmington and New Britain will meet Thursday evening, April 17th, at the Italian Political Club, 16 Harding Street, in Berlin for the purpose of electing a state central committeeman and woman representing the 6th Senatorial District. The delegate caucus will also elect representatives to the credentials, rules and resolutions and other state convention posts at the meeting.

A follow up notice clarifying the time of the meeting on April 17th is expected to be sent to delegates prior to the meeting by the State Central Committee

State Central Committeeman Ned Statchen and Party Treasurer and State Central Committeewoman Emma Pierce are seeking new terms on the 72-member state party committee.Because the State Central Committee has sent out conflicting notices,

For a list of delegates to all conventions and the convention schedule go to http://www.newbritaindemocrat.net/


Municipal Budget On the Table:

Revaluation Makes Tax Increase Inevitable According to the Mayor

A $219.5 million municipal budget was submitted to the City Council last week that will bring a tax increase to residential owners because of state-mandated revaluation. According to published reports a tax rate of 34.98 ($34.98 per $1,000 valuation) will take effect July 1 if the budget is adopted. While the tax rate is dropping, new property assessments from a recently completed revaluation will mean higher bills for homeowners and owners of multi-family units.

As with all property revaluations, burdens on small property owners and tenants increase because of the regressive nature of the property tax and Connecticut's over reliance on it to pay for essential services and schools. Residential owners in New Britain bear the brunt of higher tax bills while industrial properties will decrease under the current system. Stewart, who rode to victory over incumbent Lucian Pawlak five years ago because of 40% re-assessment hikes, says now there is little that can be done to avert an increase in property bills because of revaluation.

Between now and June the municipal budget will get more scrutiny from the City Council whose members will be seeking ways to extract more savings without cutting services. A key point of the debate will be whether the $118 million allocated for the school district will remain the same or be increased to deal with serious resource shortfalls cited in recent outside reports about the high school's accreditation, student achievement and morale in the school district. Also to be determined is whether a local property tax credit will be extended to seniors and individuals on fixed incomes -- a form of relief adopted by the Council and agreed to by the Mayor last fall.

April Birthday Wishes

New Britain Democrats extend April birthday wishes to Carlo Carlozzi, Frank Gerratana, Butch Dzwonkowski, Gil Martinez and Ned Statchen

End Quote

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes."

Dwight D. Eisenhower, January 17, 1961

31 March 2008

Town Committee Endorses Delegate Slates For May Conventions


The Democratic Town Committee endorsed slates of delegates to party conventions to be held in May at its March 27th meeting at New Britain City Hall. Slates for the 6th State Senate (31 delegates), the 22nd State Representative (2 delegates) and 24th State Representative (10 delegates) were chosen. Endorsed delegates will be supporting incumbents who represent the city, including State Senator Donald DeFronzo and State Representatives Betty Boukus (D-22) and State Representative Tim O'Brien (D-24) . Because DeFronzo, Boukus and O'Brien represent more than one town they are nominated by delegates to conventions. State Representative John Geragosian (D-25) and State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-26) represent districts within the city and endorsements for those districts will be made by town committee members at a May meeting. In addition, 31 endorsed delegates were selected for the 5th Congressional District for the seat held by first-term Cong Chris Murphy who is seeking re-election. The Town Committee endorsed 31 delegates for the Democratic State Convention which will take up the election of National Committee members. Delegates will be notified by the Democratic State Central Committee. The delegations will be posted the week of March 31 at the New Britain Democrats' website http://www.newbritaindemocrat.net/

DTC Resolution Seeks Implementation of Property Tax Credit For Seniors
From The New Britain Herald March 28th

"NEW BRITAIN — The Democratic Town Committee voted unanimously Thursday to call on Republican Mayor Timothy Stewart to release $375,000 set aside by the council last fall for senior property tax relief. It was at the end of a night meeting, after the committee endorsed delegates, that member Rosemary Klotz called for a discussion of the issue because many people, including council members, had assumed Stewart reached an agreement long ago with Democratic Majority Leader Michael Trueworthy to fund the program. Democrats have put the money aside for four years straight. Each year, Stewart has failed to do anything with it.
“It appears that program is not going to be implemented again this year, when people are going to feel the effects the most. I thought we had an agreement,” Trueworthy said, “but I guess we don’t.” After the previous council voted 11-4 in favor of funding it again, Trueworthy said he believed the mayor would come through — especially after he had been given $25,000 to start up his plan to end homelessness the following week. Trueworthy left the Oct. 10 meeting
pleased the $375,000 account would be used to help poor elderly and disabled homeowners pay their property taxes. The previous year, Stewart and his cadre of conservatives on the council had argued they had to give property tax relief to all residents, not just a small minority. But after the Oct. 10 council meeting, Stewart had given the Democrats hope he would finally go along with the idea. “I will look seriously at the issue,” Stewart said. “No one needs more help than the people on fixed income in our community. “Revaluation is the most critical issue that we will face in the coming year. If the results of the changes impact those people who fall within the income guidelines, then, yes, we will engage the program,” he said at the time." Rick Guinness story

Freedom of Information: GOP Still Opposes Sunshine At City Hall

The two Republican members of the City Council opposed a municipal Freedom of Information ordinance referred to committee at the last Council meeting in March, according to Monica Polanco's report"FOI Proposal Draws Complaints" in The Hartford Courant. Both Alds. Lou Salvio and Mark Bernacki , defending recent actions by the Stewart administration, claimed a second local FOI policy is unnecessary. Salvio used the dubious argument that the provision would cost taxpayers "thousands of dollars" if the city provided copies of public documents to the press and public when information is requested.

In December, the Council adopted an ordinance that requires city departments to release records and information in a timely manner when requested to do so by members of the Common Council. In January, Republican Town Chair Paul Carver, perhaps in retaliation for the FOI ordinance, filed a formal complaint with the state commission contending that Council Majority Leader Mike Trueworthy did not identify a nominee to the Mattabasett District Commission on a meeting agenda despite the posting of the vacancy on the agenda. Democrats have called Carver's complaint "frivolous." The Commission has yet to take up the complaint amid predictions from Democrats that Carver's complaint will be quickly dismissed.

This second ordinance has been proposed by Ward 4 Councillor Phil Sherwood and it would essentially establish a local Freedom of Information act. The 37-year-old state FOI Commission is the arbiter of all complaints at the local and state level. But Sherwood and others on the Council feel that open meetings and access to public records need to be clearly spelled out at the local level. The Stewart Administration didn't help itself when the Board of Finance and Taxation, deliberating over the city budget, kicked New Britain Herald Reporter Rick Guinness out of its meeting. The newspaper has responded in kind by filing complaints at the state FOI Commission.

If Bernacki-Salvio complaints had validity you'd think the state Commission would be telling New Britain Democrats that they have no jurisdiction on FOI. While the state FOI Commission has ultimate jurisdiction and enforcement power, it has been strongly urging local FOI responses since a 1999 survey found "disappointing results" of compliance with the FOI Act by local governments. The state Commission, in fact, has adopted a local "model" ordinance that calls for establishing a municipal FOI Advisory Board -- not quite a model FOI ordinance but a move designed to reduce the small commission's large caseload. Colleen M. Murphy, the FOI Commission's Executive Director and General Counsel, advocates for local advisory groups. "Why should municipalities take such a step?, " she asks in an article posted on the commission's website. "The answer is simple: the creation of these advisory boards will go a long way toward resolving FOI questions well before they turn into full-blown disputes." City Councillor Sherwood, although not proposing an appointed advisory board, appears to be making the same argument in calling for what would amount to a municipal Freedom of Information Act.

Stewart and his Council spokesmen may charge that the open government ordinance is just another example of "partisan sniping" and that it's his prerogative to maintain control over the flow of information at City Hall. But even a mayor in the strongest of strong-mayor forms of government has to realize at some point that withholding public records and closing the door on open meetings is the wrong way to go.

22 March 2008

Town Committees To Meet Thursday, March 27: Delegate Slates To Be Endorsed For Congress, State and Legislature

New Britain Democrats will meet Thursday, March 27th, at 6:30 p.m. to endorse delegate slates to conventions to be held in May. The conventions include the 6th State Senate, the 22nd and the 24th State Representative districts, the 5th Congressional District and the Democratic State Convention. In other business, the town committee will be forming finance, rules and publicity committees and electing district leaders for the term that began March 4th. The meeting will be held at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street, Room 504. Members should note the earlier starting time of 6:30 p.m. For information E-mail: newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com ; 827-9469 (Town Chair).

The Berlin Democratic Town Committee will also meet on March 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Italian Club in Berlin to endorse delegate slates and elect their officers for a new term.


Rep. O'Brien's "Citizen Election" Fund Raiser Set For Sunday, March 30th

Supporters of State Rep. Tim O'Brien (D-24) will hold a fund-raising reception on Sunday, March 30th, from 2-4 p.m. at the Pride of Connecticut Elks Lodge, 24 Elm Street. The event is being organized under the newly-established "Citizen's Election Program" that requires the O'Brien for State Representative Committee to receive contributions from a minimum of 150 people in New Britain and Newington. The suggested donation for the event is $35 and can range from a minimum of $5 to a maximum of $100.

O'Brien, an assistant majority leader, serves on the Legislature's Education, Finance, Revenue & Bonding, Judiciary and Public Health Committees. In the current session, O'Brien is seeking a higher share of educational cost sharing to offset the reliance on property taxes to pay for the schools. He has proposed a bold measure that would provide tuition-free enrollment at public colleges. He has also pushed for fair-trade policies that would discourage companies from outsourcing Connecticut jobs. As a vice chair of the GAE Committee in the previous session, he strongly supported campaign finance reform that has led to the creation of the "Citizen's Election Program" that bans contributions from lobbyists and state contractors. O'Brien calls the new law "a victory for democracy so people's voices will matter more than special interest money."

Community Planning Begins For New Britain's Children: Tuesday, March 25 at Vance School

The New Britain Discovery Collaborative, a nonprofit advocacy group for early childhood education, is launching an "Our Children, Our Future" community planning effort to improve the lives of New Britain’s children. The kick-off event for this participatory planning process will be Tuesday March 25th at Vance School (183 Vance St). There will be a dinner from 5:30 to 6:15 with a program following through 8 p.m. Childcare and simultaneous Spanish translation will be available. The event is free. Information is available by contacting Merrill Gay, Executive Director, 229-6018 Ext. 309. The Collaborative's website is www.nbdiscovery.org


In Memoriam

Alex Zaniewski, 75, a longtime member of the New Britain DTC, died March 20th. Mr. Zaniewski, a veteran of the U.S. Army, served for many years as a Hartford County Marshal (formerly Sheriff) and as a City Constable on the Democratic slate. He contributed his time and efforts to the Democratic Party and its candidates, particularly as a driver and at polling places on election days. New Britain Democrats extend condolences to his wife, Wanda, son Alan and the Zaniewski family. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 24th, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, Farmington Avenue.

The War At Home: Hartford, New Haven City Councils Adopt Resolutions Opposing War in Iraq

On Monday, March 10, the City of Hartford joined the City of New Haven in passing a resolution opposing the War in Iraq. Sponsors of the Hartford resolution and similar ones adopted in cities and towns throughout New England cite the erosion of federal support for community development since military actions began in Iraq five years ago. "As our cities and towns struggle with their budgets, there is no better time to do an anti-war resolution that ties the cost of war to our unmet needs and misplaced priorities," said John Murphy of the CT Citizen Action Group. The two main sponsors of the Hartford resolution, Councilmen Luis Cotto and Larry Deutsch, will be sending a copy of the resolution and a cover letter urging chief local elected officials in other communities to pass a similar resolution. Please contact John Murphy murphy@ccag.net or 860.995.3389 for more information.

End Quote

Excerpt from Hartford City Council resolution

WHEREAS, The City of Hartford unequivocally supports the men and women in uniform from Hartford and the whole of the United States who are stationed overseas in Iraq. These individuals are making unimaginable sacrifices for their country; and

WHEREAS, The City of Hartford mourns and honors the approximately 4,000 Americans who have given their lives and almost 30,000 Americans who have been wounded during deployment in Iraq, and

WHEREAS, This March marks the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, The Court of Common Council expresses its deep opposition to the Bush Administration’s continuation of the war in Iraq after its mendacious and deceptive methods of garnering initial support; and

WHEREAS, the City of Hartford relies heavily on Federal money to provide services to its residents; and

WHEREAS, The United States Congress has appropriated over $400 billion to fund military operations and Iraqi reconstruction, while a steady decline in Federal Housing and Urban Development grants has been experienced since 2002, the year before the war began........

16 March 2008

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

May those who love us love us.

And those that don't love us,

May God turn their hearts.

And if He doesn't turn their hearts,

May he turn their ankles,

So we'll know them by their limping.

Author Unknown

New Britain Celebrates St. Patrick's Day Monday

On Monday, March 17, the New Britain Irish Social Club (Ancient Order of Hibernians) will hold its traditional Saint Patrick's Day Celebration from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the 40 South Street Club and Assyrian Hall. Admission is $10 pp for the corned beef and cabbage dinner. The musical group, Sea Breeze, will entertain.


District Caucuses On Wednesday For Clinton, Obama Delegates

5th Congressional District Democrats will meet Wednesday, March 19th, at opposite ends of the sprawling 41-town CD to select three district delegates each for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

The Clinton caucus will convene at the Elks Hall, 346 Main Street in Danbury. The Obama caucus will be held at the Washington Middle School Auditorium, 1225 North Broad Street, Meriden.

All enrolled Democrats from the 5th CD are eligible to participate in one of these caucuses to select the district-level delegates based on the results of the February 5th Primary. The Democratic National Convention will be held in August in Denver, CO. For more information on delegate selection and locations of caucuses in all Congressional Districts visit http://www.ctdems.org/

FISA Law, Telecom Immunity Issue Evokes Same Old Fear Mongering Against Cong. Murphy

Criticism over a U.S. House debate on a Foreign Intelligence Security Act (FISA) re authorization by Rep. Chris Murphy's prospective Republican opponent shows the GOP is turning early to divisive fear tactics on issues of national security and fighting terrorism.

Danbury GOP State Senator David Capiello, in a statement appearing in a New Britain Herald story by Scott Whipple, knocked Murphy and the House leadership for holding up a Senate-approved bill that grants retroactive immunity to telecom companies, leaving the Bush Administration free to spy on Americans in the name of national security without any constitutional safeguards. Abuse of intelligence gathering capabilities contributed, in part, to the resignation of former Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez last year.

Capiello contends that retroactive immunity for telecom companies and warrant-less wiretaps should be allowed despite a 1978 FISA law that provides the government with immediate spying capabilities so long as warrants are obtained within three days of the intelligence gathering. “I hate the idea of it being a campaign issue,” Cappiello was quoted as saying. “I see it as a national security issue. It’s an American issue. I hope it will be resolved so it won’t become a campaign issue.” Capiello appears to be drawing on the playbook of former Cong. Nancy Johnson who swamped the airwaves in 2006 with attacks on Murphy inferring that the Democrat would aid and abet terrorists. By saying "it's an American issue" Capiello implicitly questions Murphy's patriotism -- the same tactic used by Johnson's failed re-election campaign.

Murphy is on record as saying “it is dishonest to say that the expiration of the Protect America Act means the country can’t survive. Currently, the attorney general can approve surveillance within minutes; approval from the FISA court can be obtained in three days. The government simply begins the wiretap and goes to FISA court for retroactive approval.”

Rep. Murphy supports modifying the federal FISA law "to meet current threats" but takes issue with the Republicans for exploiting the issue "for partisan political gain." To Murphy and other House Democrats, Bush and the Republicans are holding up the re authorization in order to protect telecommunication companies for infringing on the privacy for millions of Americans.

Democrats are asserting the intelligence gathering is needed without breaking the law and revealing personal information about law-abiding citizens. Murphy and House Democrats are taking up where Senator Chris Dodd left off in the U.S. Senate. Dodd valiantly opposed telecom immunity in the Senate and for a time was able to delay its passage in a stand against Bush' intransigence and Majority Leader Harry Reid's indifference. In January, Dodd framed the issue in a statement on the Senate floor: "More and more, Americans are rejecting the false choice that has come to define this administration: security or liberty, but never, ever both. It speaks volumes about the president’s estimation of the American people that he expects them to accept that choice. The truth, though, is that shielding corporations from lawsuits does absolutely nothing for our security. I challenge the president to prove otherwise. I challenge him to show us how putting these companies above the law makes us safer by an iota."

9 March 2008

Rep. O’Brien Proposes Eliminating Tuition As a Barrier To College

The earning power of college graduates versus those whose highest attainment is a high school diploma favors the former by a wide margin. In central Connecticut, it doesn’t really matter anymore if you want a job as an analyst at an insurance company or fill out an application at a small manufacturer to build parts on the shop floor. You will need post-secondary skills to fill decent paying jobs in our regional economy.

That’s what makes State Rep. Timothy O’Brien’s legislation to eliminate in-state tuition for students at UCONN, the state universities and the community colleges intriguing. So intriguing that O’Brien’s proposal has drawn considerable press coverage, including a February 21 story in the Meriden Record-Journal.

House Bill 5261 “will eliminate all tuition and fees for in-state residents” and proposes “that funding be increased to offset the costs” of eliminating in-state tuition at the public colleges and universities. While many would call the O’Brien idea unaffordable, the need to make college and post-secondary training opportunities available is broadly recognized as a key to retaining jobs and a stronger economy.

O'Brien's idea is not new. Free public education is an idea deeply rooted in the American egalitarian ideal. Once upon time California was a K-graduate school system without tuitions and fees. And last year MA Governor Duval Patrick, a business friendly Democrat, proposed a guarantee that the 12 community colleges in his state be open and tuition-free.

According to the Record Journal, O’Brien recognizes the current reliance on student tuition and fees to meet operating costs: “O’Brien’s bill would require students who did not pay tuition and fees for the duration of college to pay a fixed rate for a certain amount of time after they graduate, depending on their income. If they move out of state, however, the students would be required to pay back the full amount.”

Says O’Brien: “I introduced this legislation because I think that it is time that Connecticut start talking about the fact that high tuition and fees at our public institutions of higher education is a growing barrier to a college education for many people in our state, even if good financial aid is available for students.” O’Brien emphasizes that the bill is also an effort to stem a “brain drain” that will encourage young people to stay in Connecticut.

While O’Brien concedes that House Bill 5261 will likely go no where in a short legislative session. He knows it opens an important discussion on educational access and economic policy that will not end with the close of the General Assembly this year.

CT Obama Committee Plans Next Step: Pennsylvania

The Connecticut Obama Committee is mobilizing for the pivotal April 22nd Primary in Pennsylvania, by asking Connecticut supporters to call, canvass and campaign in Pennsylvania .

The “Pennsylvania Call to Action Rally’ will be held on Saturday March 15th at Yale University’s Afro-American Culture Center ,211 Park Street, New Haven, 10:30 - 12:00 p.m. Individuals will be organized according to their Congressional districts.

There is also every indication that the Obama forces are forming alliances and planning political action beyond 2008 on behalf of Democratic candidates. Says Obama Committee leader Lon Seidman: "Many of the new people we're meeting in 2008 will be there to make the difference in 2010 and 2012. The key to it all is keeping them connected and engaged locally. Many of the 2006 2nd district volunteers that made the difference in the closest race in the country started as supporters of a presidential candidate in 2004. The key to that continuity of involvement was recruitment, an introduction to fellow activists in the area, and a regular set of events and social opportunities to keep that level of engagement."

More information is available at http://www.ctobama.org/

In Memoriam: Betsy O’Neil, Democratic Party Activist

Betsy O’Neil, a teacher and former Democratic Town Chair of Farmington, passed away at her West Hartford home on March 6th. A devoted and lifelong Democratic Party activist, Betsy was perhaps best known to New Britain Democrats through her efforts on the campaigns of Toby Moffett and Bill Curry, among many others. Betsy received a state Democratic Party Leadership Award last fall and one of her nominators aptly summed up what it meant to campaign with her: “This high energy, high tension work has been done with a degree of humor, humility, integrity, kindness and joy which made everyone of her campaigns a pleasure for everyone in it.” New Britain Democrats extend condolences to Betsy’s sons and brothers, including her brother Dennis of AFSCME Council 4 who joined her and former BOE member Deidra Ierardi on dozens of local, state and national campaigns in the New Britain area. A funeral will be held Monday March 10, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Saint Patrick, Main Street in Farmington.

End Quote: A Hillary Clinton de facto endorsement of John McCain?

“More serious was Senator Clinton’s assertion that she was qualified to be commander in chief, and that John McCain had also “certainly” crossed that “threshold,” but that the jury was still out on Mr. Obama. In other words, if a choice on national security had to be made today between Senators Obama and McCain, voters — according to Mrs. Clinton’s logic — should choose Senator McCain. That is a low thing for a Democratic presidential candidate to do to a rival in a party primary. Can you imagine John McCain saying that Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney or even the guitar-strumming Mike Huckabee might be less qualified than Hillary Clinton to be commander in chief? It couldn’t happen.”

“Confronting the Kitchen Sink” by Bob Herbert, New York Times columnist, March 8, 2008