25 March 2010 Delegate Meeting Today

DTC Resolution Thanks Murphy for Health Care Reform (HCR); Calls for Public Option

The Democratic Town Committee is expected to consider a resolution on Health Care Reform at its meeting this week thanking U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy for supporting the newly enacted federal legislation as a “first step” toward a public option and universal health care.

The resolution will be taken up on Thursday, March 25th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall as city Democrats endorse slates of delegates to attend conventions in May.

The resolution will commend Rep. Murphy and his Democratic colleagues for voting for the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” signed into law Tuesday by President Obama. It will urge lawmakers to use the new law as “a first step toward a robust public option that will bring competition to the health insurance marketplace, further contain costs and pave the way for health care for all.”

Delegate Meeting

In endorsing slates, New Britain Democrats will send 35 delegates to the May 21-22 state convention where candidates for Governor, U.S. Senate and all the state constitutional offices will be endorsed. Slates will also form to attend conventions for Cong. Murphy of the 5th Congressional District, the Judge of Probate now held by Walter Clebowicz, the 6th State Senate District represented by Don DeFronzo and three state representative districts, the 22nd represented by Betty Boukus and the 24th represented by Tim O’Brien.

May's Convention Schedule
Congressional Convention (U.S. House) – May 10th
Judge of Probate - May 11
State Convention - May 21-22
State Senate Convention – May 24
State House of Representatives Conventions (Multi-Town Districts) – May 25th

On The Calendar Next Week

Candidates

Chris Murphy
Monday March 29th 5-7 pm: Chris Murphy for Congress' reception at the home of Terry and Frank Gerratana, 674 Lincoln Street, New Britain. Suggested contribution $50. All contributions will be gratefully accepted. RSVP to jessica@murphyforcongress.org
Telephone: 860-223-5532. www.murphyforcongress.org

Dan Malloy
Tuesday, March 30th 5-7 pm: Fundraising reception for Dan Malloy for Governor at Whinstone Tavern at Stanley Golf Course, 245 Hartford Road, New Britain. Suggested contributions of $100 (friend) or $50 (supporter) will be appreciated. RSVP to 203-588-1345 or kate@danmalloy.com

Neighborhoods

The North-Oak NRZ will hold its March meeting on Monday, March 29th at 6:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Ann Pilla, the executive director of Trinity On Main performing arts center. The meeting will he held at HRA's

The newly-formed New Britain Community Organization (NBCO), focusing on neighborhood and quality of life issues throughout the city, will hold an organizing and planning meeting on Wednesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. at The Regency Building Community Room, 55 Spring Street.

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But here's the thing. Community hasn't succeeded very often in American politics, but when it has, it's tended to work better than advertised. Social Security and Medicare (universal coverage for senior citizens) are very popular. Once changes like these are made, well, it takes a while, but most people tend to like them. And maybe that's the real reason Republicans are so unhinged right now.

-Michael Tomasky The Guardian March 22
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/22/health-care-vote-us-obama

13 March 2010

New Britain Democrats Karaoke Kick Off $20.10, March 23

Join New Britain Democrats for music (of their own making), singing delegates and good cheer at the kick-off reception for the 2010 Nov. 2nd election for Governor, all state constitutional offices, U.S. Senate, Congress (District 5), Judge of Probate, State Senate (District 6) and State Representatives (Districts 22,24,25,26).

The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23rd at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street. A special thanks to DJ Rich Marzi for providing the music. The suggested donation is $20.10. Proceeds will benefit the NB-DTC's voter registration and Get Out The Vote activities. [Please note contributions from businesses, state contractors, communicator lobbyists and their family members are prohibited). An NBDTC event.

Town Committee Re-Elects Leaders, Welcomes 18 New Members

The Democratic Town Committee held its organizational meeting March 4th, re-electing leaders and welcoming 18 new members to the 52-member party committee.

John McNamara, a member since 1986, was re-elected to a ninth term as Town Chair. Robert Sanchez, a member of the Board of Education, was elected to a third term as Vice Chair. Officers elected include John Valengavich, Treasurer; Ray Matyszyk, Assistant Treasurer; Rosemary Klotz, Recording Secretary, ,and; Peter Spano, Corresponding Secretary.

New district members of the committee include Lidia Agramonte-Gomez, Laura Woodie, Michael Dagata, Nereida Claudio, Pernell Young, Mike Platosz, Elrick George, Emmanuel Sanchez, Stephanie Podewell, Jaclyn Falkowski, Andrzej Lesniak, Yvette Ghannam, Earl Proulx, Teresa Sapieha-Yanchak, Todd Szabo, Zulma Garcia, Peruse Khachoyan and Richard Reyes. The DTC will elect assembly district leaders and fill committee positions at the March 25th and April meetings.

The DTC welcomes associate members to serve on committees and to volunteer for campaign activities. For information interested Democrats may e-mail newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

DTC Delegate Meeting To Be Held March 25th
The Democratic Town Committee will convene Thursday March 25th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall to endorse slates of delegates to this year's political conventions. New Britain Democrats will send 35 delegates to the May 21-22 state convention where candidates for Governor, U.S. Senate and all the state constitutional offices will be endorsed. An August Primary looms for Governor and other offices. Slates will also be selected for Probate Judge, U.S. Congress,the 6th State Senate, the 22nd and 24th state representative districts.

May's Convention Schedule

Congressional Convention (U.S. House) – May 10th
Judge of Probate - May 11
State Convention - May 21-22
State Senate Convention – May 24
State House of Representatives Conventions (Multi-Town Districts) – May 25th

Upcoming Candidate Events in New Britain

Chris Murphy
Monday March 29th 5-7 pm: Chris Murphy for Congress' reception at the home of Terry and Frank Gerratana, 674 Lincoln Street, New Britain. Suggested contribution $50. All contributions will be gratefully accepted. RSVP to jessica@murphyforcongress.org. Telephone: 860-223-5532. www.murphyforcongress.org

Dan Malloy
Tuesday, March 30th 5-7 pm: Fundraising reception for Dan Malloy for Governor at Whinstone Tavern at Stanley Golf Course, 245 Hartford Road, New Britain. Suggested contributions of $100 (friend) or $50 (supporter) will be appreciated. RSVP to 203-588-1345 or kate@danmalloy.com

End Quote: For a Health Care Reconciliation With Public Option

The overwhelming majority of Americans want a public option. The latest New York Times poll on this issue, in December, shows that despite the attacks of recent months Americans support the public option 59% to 29%. Support includes 80% of Democrats, 59% of Independents, and even 33% of Republicans.Much of the public identifies a public option as the key component of health care reform -- and as the best thing we can do to stand up for regular people against big insurance companies. In fact, overall support for health care reform declined steadily as the public option was removed from reform legislation. Although we strongly support the important reforms made by the Senate-passed health reform package, including a strong public option would improve both its substance and the public’s perception of it. The Senate has an obligation to reform our unworkable health insurance market -- both to reduce costs and to give consumers more choices. A strong public option is the best way to deliver on both of these goals, and we urge its consideration under reconciliation rules.

U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO),Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) urging inclusion of public option for health insurance when reconciliation bill reaches Senate.
More information at http://democracyforamerica.com

3 March 2010

Town Committee Starts New Term Thursday, March 4th;
Officers and Leaders To Be Elected
The Democratic Town Committee will start a new two-year term at an organizational meeting Thursday, March 4th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street.
On the agenda will be election of officers and district leaders for the 52-member committee which includes representatives from the city’s 15 voting districts.
Town Chair John McNamara and Vice Chair Robert Sanchez will seek re-election to lead the DTC in this gubernatorial election year. In a letter to members, McNamara and Sanchez said “it has been our shared commitment to organize a diverse and active town committee, a committee that is inclusive and respects all points of view in the Democratic Party, and works to elect Democrats who will be responsible and responsive to their constituents. We want to continue that commitment in a new term.”
“Like any volunteer organization,” the letter stated, “the DTC needs to continuously revitalize itself by recruiting new leaders to serve and run for office, to engage in activities that will maximize citizen participation and to speak out on issues that matter to residents, particularly at the municipal level.”
The DTC leaders also called for new party voter registration drives through canvassing, public events and awareness campaigns. Voter registration near the end of February showed Democrats represent 54% of the electorate with 17,376, Republicans at 10% with 3,220 and unaffiliateds at 35% with 11,296. A total of 32,283residents are registered to vote.
The Town Committee also plans to continue to encourage community service and volunteerism in a new term by filling vacancies for Justices of the Peace.
The March 4th meeting and all meetings of the Democratic Town Committee are open to the public.

Campaign 2010: DTC Delegate Meeting To Be Held March 25th
The 2010 campaign will begin in earnest this month when the Democratic Town Committee will convene Thursday March 25th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall to endorse slates of delegates to this year's political conventions.
New Britain Democrats will send 35 delegates to the May 21-22 state convention where candidates for Governor, U.S. Senate and all the state constitutional offices will be endorsed. An August Primary looms for Governor and other offices. Slates will also be selected for Probate Judge, U.S. Congress,the 6th State Senate, the 22nd and 24th state representative districts.


Support Your Neighbors Who Work For Stop & Shop
A major strike of 15,000 grocery store workers looms in Connecticut if the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)and Stop & Shop management do not agree on a contract this week. Negotiators face a considerable divide on agreeing on a wage and health care package that is reasonable and fair to the work force, according to the latest press reports.

Stop & Shop workers, represented by the UFCW, have voted to authorize a
strike if negotiations fail and they are unable to come up with a fair
contract. The company is mobilizing to hire replacement workers if talks break down. The impasse has significance for the entire food store industry because S&S wages and benefits set a wage standard that other chains must maintain even if the work force is not unionized.

"In the midst of a recession in 2009, Stop & Shop's parent company made over
$28 billion in the first three quarters. In fact, their net sales increased
10% from the same period in 2008. Not bad for a recession," states Citizens for Economic Opportunity (CEO), a CT-based labor advocacy group.

"To make matters worse, they have begun seeking "replacement workers" (aka,
strikebreakers or scabs) and advertising $3 more per hour than they pay
their current employees" according to the CEO statement.

HOW TO HELP

* Agree not to cross a picket line if there is a strike; send a message Send a message to consumer relations<
* Join the Facebook group www.facebook.com/pages/If-Stop-Shop-Workers-are-forced-to-strike-Sto">

February Meeting: Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. City Hall
State Candidates To Speak
The Democratic Town Committee (DTC) will meet Thursday, Feb. 25th, at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main St. in Room 504, with candidates for state office and plans for 2010 on the agenda.

Invited to be guest speakers are Secretary of the State hopefuls, including New Haven Alderman Gerald Garcia, House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield) and State Senator Jonathan Harris (D-West Hartford). Former State Party Chair and state senator George Jepsen, who is vying for the Attorney General nomination, is also expected to attend the meeting.

Committee members will discuss a 2010 Campaign Karaoke Kick-Off in March. The public is invited to this and all meetings of the Democratic Town Committee.

DTC Organizational Meeting, Thursday, March 4, 7 p.m. City Hall
The Democratic Town Committee (DTC) will hold its organizational meeting to start a new, two-year term on Thursday, March 4th, at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street in Room 504. The agenda includes the election of officers, district leaders and the formation of sub-committees. Statewide candidates will also be invited as guest speakers at the March 4th meeting.

From The Chair:
Remembering Bill Kerr, CCSU Politics Prof: Service Saturday,Feb. 27

A celebration of the life of Charles W. (Bill) Kerr will be held at the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, CT, on Saturday February 27, 2010, at 1 p.m. Kerr, 78, died on February 2, 2010 in his home at Sun City, Hilton Head, SC. A Missouri native, Kerr was a professor emeritus of Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and served as Chair of the Political Science Department.

In the early ‘80s I first met Bill Kerr and his wife Marietta at a meeting of the Caucus of Connecticut Democrats (CCD) a few years before moving to New Britain. Thanks to connecting with Kerr outside of the city, I got a quick introduction to the New Britain Democratic establishment when I moved here and was fast-tracked into local politics – winning a seat on the Democratic Town Committee in ’86, and beginning what’s turned into 24 years of being involved in campaigns and elections.

Meeting Kerr at the CCD – the liberal group that in its heyday mobilized Dems for direct primaries, civil rights and an end to the war in Vietnam – was no accident. Bill Kerr, the partisan, was an unabashed progressive – supporting liberal candidates and favoring groups such as the Legislative Electoral Action Program (LEAP) and the Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG).

Though I was never in one of his classes, Kerr, the teacher, had keen insights and possessed a wry and dry sense of humor about politics that you would have had to be around to appreciate. Those attributes, not to mention a Ph.D in political science, commanded respect from the left and right, and from Rs and Ds in Connecticut.

At CCSU, Kerr had a good run of organizing conferences and workshops, bringing experts and pols of all stripes together. One year it would Cong. Nancy Johnson. The next it would be Barney Frank. He organized these forums under his Institute for Practical Politics (IPP), a fitting name at an institution drawing many sons and daughters of the working class to become teachers and professionals or, in some cases, local and state elected officials.

Kerr’s Institute was no high falutin’ think tank, but a series of “practical” sessions among academics and citizens on policy and political strategy. Kerr’s knowledge of CT politics and players always made IPP conferences informative and helped extend his teaching of politics and government well beyond the classroom.

When someone we know and respect dies it can be a comfort to say we are better persons for having known that person. In Bill Kerr’s case, I and I’d guess many of his students would say we are better citizens for having known him as fellow activists or students.

New Britain Democrats extend condolences to Marietta, Melanie and all the members of the Kerr family.

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“The state’s economy has undergone a critical structural change as the degree of outsourcing—whether to other states or abroad—has grown quickly for more than a decade. The result is that even strong growth in total output may not translate into rapid improvement in employment. The effect shows in a pattern of progressively slowed jobs recovery. Before 1990, Connecticut’s economy recovered jobs lost in recessions in ten months or less; recovery took 23 months and then 39 months in the last two recessions.”

From “No Jobs Recovery! When will Connecticut’s Misery End? February 2010 Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis, University of Connecticut. http://ccea.uconn.edu/

14 February 2010

Republican “Roadmap” Undermines Retirees, Working Families, Middle Class
The Republican Party’s alternatives to Democratic proposals for economic stimulus and health care plans have come out of the woodwork. Republican Congressman Paul Ryan (WI) is the point man for a strategy that would, according to press reports, make wholesale cuts to Social Security and Medicare, let the wealthiest 1% of Americans keep their Bush, deficit-causing tax cuts and create a “simpler” tax system that includes an 8.5% federal consumption (sales) tax. Notes the widely read TPM blog: “That's a tax on all goods and services that shifts the tax burden from corporations to individual consumers.”

The GOP “blueprint” undermines the Medicare program in future years with this provision: “For those currently under 55 – as they become Medicare-eligible – it creates a Medicare payment, initially averaging $11,000, to be used to purchase a Medicare certified plan. The payment is adjusted to reflect medical inflation, and pegged to income, with low-income individuals receiving greater support.” Put simply, the GOP plan throws Medicare eligible individuals to the insurance industry that would reap a taxpayer windfall without a benefit guarantee, or worse, a decrease in those benefits.
You can read the “roadmap” in its entirety at http://www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov/ complete with Rep. Ryan's bragging about how good it is.

Andy Stern, the president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), who has worked with members of the Business Roundtable on health care reform over the last several years told TPM: "It's hard to imagine that this is a 21st century plan. It seems like we're going back to the future. Particularly when George Bush inherited a surplus and drove it into a massive deficit, I'm not sure we should trust the Republican party's rehashed ideas to not just bankrupt the country in the end."

The Connecticut Republicans seeking a seat in the 5th CD and elsewhere this year should be called out for their position on their party’s “roadmap.” Prediction: They will run away from it as fast as they can to avoid talking about issues and being labeled as proponents of the same lame ideas espoused by Bush 43. Lest we forget the Bush-Cheney war mongering, deregulation and fiscal policies plunged the country into harshest economic trouble since the Great Depression. Well, maybe all of CT GOPers except Linda "Smackdown" McMahon, the current darling of New Britain's Republicans.

NB Dems February Meeting: February 25 at City Hall
The Democratic Town Committee will meet on February 25th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street for its final meeting of the 2008-2010 term. Members and friends will receive updates on key issues emerging at the state House and City Hall this year. Candidates for statewide offices will also be welcomed.

Organizational, Delegate meetings scheduled to start the 2010-2012 term: March 4, March 23-30
The Democratic Town Committee will hold its organizational meeting for a new term on Thursday March 4th at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street. The Committee will elect officers, district leaders and appoint committees to kick off the 2010 election cycle. Democrats not serving as elected members from district who wish to volunteer as associate members are welcome to attend and join. For more information, e-mail newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com or call the Town Chair at 860-827-9469.

DTC Leader Francisco Cuin appointed to state Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission
DTC member and District Leader Francisco O. Cuin has been appointed to serve on the state’s Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission (LPRAC) for the next two years. Cuin, active in voter registration and citizen involvement, has served on the town committee for three terms and was elected citywide to the Board of Assessment Appeal (2007-2009). A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Francisco is a member of the board of the Spanish Speaking Center and is an elected member of the city’s Board of Assessment. He is also the co-founder of the Parent Network of New Britain, which works to improve quality of life of New Britain Latinos. Cuin currently works for the Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc. in the Head Start Program and with the New Britain Foundation for Public Giving. He holds multiple degrees, including a juris doctorate from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.
Democratic legislators had praise for Cuin’s work in the community and his appointment to the statewide commission:
“Francisco Cuin is a civic leader in the city of New Britain and is a strong advocate for the Latino community in our city,” said Senator Donald J. DeFronzo (D-6). “He will be a welcome and positive addition to the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission.” Representative Betty Boukus (D-22) said, “Mr. Cuin has a long history of advocacy and will bring an important voice to the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission.” Said State representative John Geragosian (D-25): “Francisco will make a wonderful addition to the commission. He understands the challenges facing the Latino community and the community at-large. He will be a strong advocate for change.”
Created in 1994, LPRAC is a nonpartisan public policy agency within the state’s Legislative Branch. LPRAC consists of 21 appointed volunteers who are mandated to advise the General Assembly and the governor on policies that foster progress in the Latino communities residing in Connecticut. For more information, visit www.cga.ct.gov/lprac/.

New Britain Democrats Rx for the February Blues: Irish music, Southern cooking

The menu: Saturday, February 20th, Noon
4th annual winter BBQ sponsored by the Pride of CT Lodge 1437, 24-30 Elm Street. Smoked ribs, BBQ chicken, fried fish, Georgia hots, baked beans, salads and corn on the cob. Come early. Stay late.
The Music: the New Britain Irish Social Club, 39 South Street
Friday, February 19th, 8:30-11:30 p.m. presenting the Marksmen
Friday, March 5th, 8:30-11:30 p.m. presenting Celtic Music of Calley McGrane and the Exiles.
New Britain Irish Social Club (Hibernians) 860-832-8023

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“The difference between Democrats and Republicans has always been measured in courage and confidence. The Republicans believe that the wagon train will not make it to the frontier unless some of the old, some of the young, some of the weak are left behind by the side of the trail…We Democrats believe that we can make it all the way with the whole family intact….” Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo at the 1984 Democratic National Convention.

Democratic Town Committee To Meet Thursday, January 28th

The Democratic Town Committee will hold its first meeting of 2010 on Thursday, January 28th at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street beginning at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in Room 504.

Democrats seeking statewide offices will be given opportunities to introduce their candidacies at the January meeting and again at the February meeting (February 25th) before the start of the new term.

The Committee will also take up Justice of the Peace appointments, discuss the upcoming legislative session and review the 2010 political calendar.

Legislators Holding Community Meetings This Week

Members of the New Britain legislative delegation are holding a pair of general community meetings for the public to attend and discuss state government, the economy and other issues facing New Britain residents. The Legislature will convene for its 2010 session next week on Wednesday, February 3rd. The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at the New Britain Senior Center, 55 Pearl Street. The second will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. at the Human Resource Agency of New Britain, Community Room, 180 Clinton Street. All members of the public are invited to attend.

Online Connecticut Mirror Gives Politics and Government Coverage A Boost

The launch of the online Connecticut Mirror this week is expected to add considerably to the extent and breadth of coverage of politics and government in Connecticut. The Mirror, funded with foundation grants, is a hopeful response to the continuing decline of state capitol coverage by newspapers.

The CT Mirror (www.ctmirror.com), describes itself as “an independent source of news and information about our state’s government, politics and public policy. From dealing with Connecticut’s budget crisis to choosing its top officials, 2010 will be a year of critical decisions. We hope you’ll be with us as we cover it all. Our goal is to bring you in-depth coverage of the issues and events that will affect the lives of all Connecticut residents for years to come.”
The Mirror, which includes a guide to state politics and government, began online publishing on Monday.

Stand Up For Health Care Coalition Not Backing Off From Push For Health Care Reform

The coalition of local and national organizations calling for Congressional action on comprehensive health care reform is stepping up efforts for passage of a House-Senate compromises despite the loss of a 60th Democratic vote for cloture in the U.S. Senate.

In a letter to Congressional leaders,Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, links the need for health care reform with the health of the economy:

“Without reform, health costs will continue to grow much faster than wages. Without reform, many millions of hard-working people and their families will join the ranks of the uninsured and underinsured. And without reform, businesses, staggered by increasing employee health costs, will either drop coverage or will be unable to make needed investments. As a result, our nation's economy - and the ability to create good jobs - will suffer. We must not let that happen. Some members of Congress have said that we should abandon health reform for a later time. But make no mistake, if we abandon reform now - after moving further than ever before towards meaningful reform - we will not get back to this crucial agenda for a long, long time. Some other members have suggested that we play "small ball": adopt only the most popular measures, such as prohibiting exclusions of coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, and drop the more systemic reforms. Unfortunately, that will not work.”

For more information and to contact members of Congress visit Families USA www.familiesusa.org or Connecticut Citizen Action Group.

UPCOMING MUNICIPAL MEETINGS
CITY COUNCIL, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27TH 7 P.M. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BEGINS AT 7 P.M.
BOARD OF EDUCATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST

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“The question for Democrats is whether there is anything that will wake them up to their obligation to extend a powerful hand to ordinary Americans and help them take the government, including the Supreme Court, back from the big banks, the giant corporations and the myriad other predatory interests that put the value of a dollar high above the value of human beings.”

New York Times columnist Bob Herbert, January 23rd
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/23/opinion/23herbert.html

17 January 2010

Monday’s King Day Observances in New Britain
The city Human Rights and Opportunities Commission will hold its annual breakfast and program in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday on Monday, January 18th with a 9 a.m. breakfast and program at Angelico’s Restaurant on East Street followed by a brief ceremony at the King Park monument at the corner of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Stanley Street. The King Park ceremony will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m.

A program sponsored by the Mary McLeod Bethune Club will be held in the afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. at the McCullough Temple on Chapman Street, New Britain. The guest speaker is Rory Edwards.

Forum on Fate of Clean Elections Law Planned for Tuesday, January 19th
An informational forum on the status of the citizen’s election program will be held on Tuesday, January 19th from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the University of Hartford in West Hartford. The forum is being organized by Common Cause Connecticut.
Connecticut’s campaign finance law, put in jeopardy by a court ruling last year that found the law abridged the rights of minor party candidates, requires immediate action by the Connecticut General Assembly to make the law more accessible to minor parties and to preserve a new “clean elections” system hailed by supporters as a model for the nation. Maine (through a referendum) and other states have previously enacted public financing laws that have been in effect for years.
The case has brought the Connecticut American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU), representing the Green Party, and the Connecticut Association of Lobbyists (if you are thinking politics makes strange bedfellows you’d be right in this case) together to kill election reform unless the Legislature acts to change the law in time for the 2010 election for Governor and all state offices.
According to clean elections advocates, “the Governor and legislature need to amend the law as soon as possible to make sure it continues to be successful for the 2010 elections. This law has made it possible for people who are not rich or well connected to lobbyists to run for state legislature and for statewide office. It is a model for the nation. Without making changes to the law we risk going back to the John Rowland days of pay to play politics.” The widespread corruption of the Rowland administration – a legacy that taxpayers still pay for every day – spawned the clean election law that is in jeopardy in the first gubernatorial year it would effect.

The Clean Elections law received the strong support of New Britain’s legislative delegation and a strong push for a special session to revise the law is anticipated in the coming days. Fighting the issue in the courts has proven to be ineffective with no hope of a remedy that would preserve the move to clean elections that took effect in 2008.

For more information call Connecticut Common Cause at 860-794-8342

Happy Birthday Harriet!


New Britain realtor Harriet Geragosian (Unique Realty) celebrated her 80th birthday this past week with the good wishes of her many friends, including New Britain Democrats. Harriet, a longtime election volunteer and supporter of Democratic candidates, is a past recipient of the Connecticut Democratic Party’s women’s leadership award and was one of the early recipients of the New Britain Democratic Party’s Distinguished Service Award. New Britain Democrats congratulate Harriet and look forward to her continuing service in 2010. [NBDTC Photo: Harriet Geragosian with Atty. Harold Geragosian and State Rep. John Geragosian at a Democratic awards ceremony]

Massachusetts Senate Race: Call Goes Out To Support Democrat Coakley (No Matter Where You Are)
President Obama’s appearance at a Boston rally Sunday underscored the importance of Democrat Martha Coakley winning the U.S. Senate seat for health insurance reform to be adopted in the Congress under the current cloture rules.
The closeness of the special election contest and the expected low turnout on Tuesday, January 19th, is bringing appeals from our neighbors to the north to help Get Out The Vote in the Bay State.
New Britain Democrats wishing to help get out the vote in MA may go to www.democrats.org to be connected to the “neighbor to neighbor” campaign; the technology will enable volunteers to call five or more voters on behalf of Coakley and the passage of health care reform.

Haiti Relief: A compilation of resources to help from Google

www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-sk&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=haiti%20charity

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So, yes, we're passing through a hard winter. It's the hardest in some time. But let's always remember that, as a people, the American people, we've weathered some hard winters before. This country was founded during some harsh winters. The fishermen, the laborers, the craftsmen who made camp at Valley Forge -- they weathered a hard winter. The slaves and the freedmen who rode an underground railroad, seeking the light of justice under the cover of night -- they weathered a hard winter. The seamstress whose feet were tired, the pastor whose voice echoes through the ages -- they weathered some hard winters. It was for them, as it is for us, difficult, in the dead of winter, to sometimes see spring coming. They, too, sometimes felt their hopes deflate. And yet, each season, the frost melts, the cold recedes, the sun reappears. So it was for earlier generations and so it will be for us.

President Obama, speaking Sunday at the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.