http://forum.connpost.com/politics/ en Copyright 2008 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:54:06 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Thursday, July 24, 2008 Speaker of the House Jim Amann formed a task force today to review health and security issues in state prisons. He may get some added support for his gubernatorial exploration too, but the Blogster doesn't want to question his motives, which were more likely provoked by a recent stare-down he had with an inmate at the bad-ass super-max Northern Correctional Institution. Amann, D-Milford, admits he lost to a look of "evil" that an inmate gave him from behind a cell door during his recent tour with other lawmakers. "I couldn't wait to get the hell out of there," Amann said. During his news conference this morning, the speaker recalled a late-1970s-era spring break in Florida, which he hinted as life changing. "I was down once in Fort Lauderdale and my uncle was a correctional officer and brought me through," Amann said. "He probably took me through there first making sure that I didn't want to end up there at night." http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/prison_stint_led_amann_to_care.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/prison_stint_led_amann_to_care.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:54:06 -0500 Wednesday July 22, 2008 Today Blog-o-rama asks how far away we might be from Gov. Jodi Rell's PR staff telling us to eat more broccoli and to be sure to swath ourselves in sun screen. Yesterday Rell ignored her famous "Do One Thing" campaign to save energy, when she took the state limousine one whopping block to the Office of Policy and Management, where she had a news conference seeking bright ideas from state employee. Too bad she didn't save some gasoline and walk the 200 yards down Capitol Avenue. The Blogster gets the feeling that if new ideas have to be SOLICITED from state employees, management and labor must not get along very well among the 50,000-member state workforce and that morale must not be very high. The new Innovative Ideas Initiative - "the I³Program" - for State Employees is aimed at asking current and former state employees for new ideas and "strategies." She's offering "cash awards" and public recognition" for the best new ideas. Shouldn't state employees be doing this already, in exchange for their steady, assured pay checks, their gold-plated benefits and state-backed pensions? From the ridiculous, we go the sublime Chris Healy, chairman of the GOP State Central Committee, who just lashed out, again, at U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, he of the sweet 4.23-percent refinancing deal courtesy of the evil Countrywide Mortgage. Healy just sent this screed to state reporters and the Blogster cleaned up some of the typos:It's a full-blown rant that shows Healy's need for a proofreader and an oxygen tank, as on-the-money as he may be. "In an attempt to generate debate and comment, I am putting to each media outlet a question or two on Sen. Dodd's lack of candor and disclosure concerning his four loans with Countrywide Financial given hisimportant role as chairman of the Banking and Urban Affairs Committee. I am also concerned that the lack of interest by Connecticut media to follow this story does not serve the public interest. First, as a news matter, with the exception (of) a few print stories, two TV reports, two editorial cartoons in the Courant, one tepid editorial,there have no substantive follow up or questions raised by Connecticut reporterson the nature of these transactions. There has been more coverage in national periodicals (Wall Street Journal, Washington Post) and electronic media giving one the impression that Sen. Dodd is somehow above inspection here at home. I would suggest had Sen. Dodd had an (R) rather than a (D) after his name, the tar would be boiling throughout the Connecticut print and electronic world. Since his press conference on June 16th, it has been further disclosed by Conde Nast's portfolio.com that there are now four loans, rather than the original two, that came over a one-year period - in 2002 and 2003 that the Dodd's consummated with Countrywide Financial. Originally, Sen. Dodd's office had said the first loan was in the late 1990's. These loans were obtained through its VIP program for important government decision makers - Democrats and Republicans alike. Robert Feinberg, the Vice President for Countrywide has appeared on CNBC to clearly state the VIP was aggressive in providing special discounts and rates for those decision makers like Sen. Dodd. Despite these very convincing claims (Mr.Feinberg is not suing Countrywide or appears to have an ax to grind). Sen. Dodd or his office have said nothing to dispute or refute his statements.Feinberg was also interviewed in the Conde Nast article which appeared last Thursday. But let us look at the conflicting statements since the originalstory brokein Conde Nast around June 12th. Sen. Dodd has first said he received no special treatment in a statement issued from his office on June 13. Then at a Capitol Hill press conference, he acknowledged that he was aware of being qualified for a VIP program. Feinberg said the waiving of the fees amounted to a few thousand dollars and $70,000 in savings over the course of the loan. Sen. Dodd said he would release documents at the appropriate time. We are now in Day 40 of this stonewall. Sen. Dodd said he thought he was receiving it because he was a good customer, but then followed by saying that he and his wife, had"shoppedaround" and got the best rates. Sen. Dodd didn't say what other firm could have given him a comparable rate,but it doesn't make sense to say on the one hand, I found out aftersearching far and wide, that "I am a preferred customer" - based on what criteria - an existing loan, a high credit rating, timely payments? The loans in questions came within one year of another. Agreeable financial accommodations had to be made for the loans to work in 2003 since many refinancing deals involve fees. But again, we don't know because Sen.Dodd has not released any information for examination. Hypocrisy in general and especially in politics is always news worthy.Sen.Dodd should have known that when anyone approaches an elected official andsays you are a VIP, one's antenna should have gone up, especiallysomeonewho has been quick to judge Republican elected officials over theyears -Robert Bork, President Ronald Reagan, President George HW Bush,PresidentGeorge Bush and former HUD Secretary Antonio Jackson to name a few. It was Dodd who called for Jackson to resign in a letter to President Bush for Jackson's alleged ethical misconduct and Jackson also received loans from Countrywide under the VIP program. I am sure if you researched Dodd's statements over his career, you would find him quick to judge and ask for investigation on a variety of legitimate ethic's matter. Why does that standard not apply to him? Didn't this standard on media pressure apply to say Gov. John Rowland, when he refused to disclose the many gifts and work that were done on his cottage in Bantam? I recall there being a flurry of speculation and reports pressuring Gov. Rowland to do that, Again, there has been nothing offered on Sen. Dodd's conduct. Rowland at the time dismissed the work and other gifts as minor. The media persisted through various papers and uncovered the truth and the rest is history. Doesn't anyone find it interesting that Sen. Dodd is submitting personal information for vetting before Sen. Obama's Vice Presidential search committee, but he won't share that same data with the people who electedhim? If Sen. Dodd is willing to be a Vice Presidential candidate and submit to a forensic inspection, it would seem the height of arrogance they (sic) he wouldn't simply unveil those same documents to reporters in Connecticut and Washington. Again, no reporter I am aware of has asked that of him orthrough his office and written about it. And how about the simple politics of this issue. Why has not one elected Democrat, except for State Sen. Edith Prague, commented on this situation concerning Sen. Dodd? There hasn't been a comment from Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, who sold the Washington D.C. apartment to Sen. Dodd, no rfrom the rest of the delegation, the State Party Chairman or any of three National Committee members. Isn't that a story? It used to be. Sen. Dodd's lack of candor is only one part of this story. There areotherlegitimate questions about his lack of leadership on the Senate Banking and Urban Affairs Committee during the meltdown of the mortgage andbankingindustry. We have raised questions since last year about his prolonged absences from his job in Washington as he waged his unsuccessful campaign for President. We issued release after release about his move to Iowa and focus on winning there while many of these financial institutions began toshow disturbing losses and trends toward insolvency. When he returned this year and spring, Dodd rushed through a $300-billion mortgage bailout, that would pick up many bad mortgages of dubious qualityand allow banks to park much of their bad loans at taxpayer's expense. One of those banks would be Bank of America, which bought Countrywide Financialand all its assets, including Dodd's mortgage. Dodd said last year that banks that commit predatory lending should be prosecuted criminally? Well,Countrywide is one of those banks accused of that. Is it not hypocritical to go after a bank that gave him a generous loan to ask that they besent to jail for giving another loan to someone else under different circumstances.Again, the only challenge comes from a partisan hack like myself. Then as late as July 11th, Dodd made a public statement assuring the marketsand anyone else that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were solvent and had plentyof capital to sustain any losses. The following Monday, the US Treasury announced it was bailing out Fannie and Freddie. Again, what changed fromFriday to Monday and who gave Sen. Dodd that assurance? Was the U.S.Treasury? Could it have been the lobbyists from Fannie and Freddie,whose employees have given close to $100,000 to Dodd's Senate and Presidentialcampaigns. Again, we don't know because no one from the print or electronic media wantsto be bothered. Or maybe there is something else at work here. Sen. Dodd is an icon.Schools are named after him and his father and he deserves the respect of someone who has served his state since 1974. And while we disagree with his policies at times, one must afford him that. But that doesn't insulate him from legitimate questions at a time where the integrity of the nation's financial institutions are at stake since no other time since the Great Depression. I would hope we can have that inspection and see where it leads us. Thanks for your time. Christopher Healy Connecticut Republican Chairman" http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/rell_vamps_and_healy_rants.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/rell_vamps_and_healy_rants.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:22:34 -0500 Tuesday July 22, 2008 Back from counting clover in upstate New York, Blog-o-rama returned to the Capitol this morning to see how little has changed. Republicans, sensing a tasty election-year issue, held another morning news conference to ask for a special legislative session to create a cap on the hidden wholesale tax on gasoline called the Gross receipts Tax. It's the fourth or ninth time they've asked for it, as if the 107-44 Democratic majority in the House and the 23-13 majority in the Senate could still be persuaded. Speaker of the House Jim Amann, D-Milford, has called the special session proposal a "farce" among other things. Reminded of that opinion, Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield, likened Amann to the wife of the late former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. "I love the speaker," McKinney said, "but he's put his foot in his mouth so many times that, you know, Imelda Marcos doesn't have enough shoes for that." During the 1986 coup, Imelda fled to Hawaii with tons of gold and more than 1,000 pairs of shoes. A few hours later, given a chance to take a slap at McKinney, Amann said only "He usually leaves half the story out, but that's okay." http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/mckinney_offer_fashion_diet_ad.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/mckinney_offer_fashion_diet_ad.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:14:00 -0500 Friday July 11, 2008 A few minutes ago, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told reporters that U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd is the Barack Obama's best candidate for vice president. Blumenthal formerly supported Hillary Clinton for president, so this is at least mildly interesting, If Dodd were to get a new job, Blumenthal could finally run for Senate in 2010, although Republican Gov. Rell would appoint a successor if Dodd were to leave before the end of his term. Of course this is an academic exercise because Blog-o-rama believes that Dodd's sweetheart 4.23-percent refinancing rate from the tainted Countrywide Mortgage means Connecticut's senior senator is out of the Veep picture and maybe anything of substance if the Democrats don't self destruct as usual and win the presidency. Toward the end of the event, an unrelated news conference with Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, Blog-o-rama was just about ready to leave when he decided to ask a final question. Blogster to Blumenthal: "Dick so among all the pluses would be he could get everyone a lower rate for a re-fi, right?" Blumenthal didn't answer. http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/blumenthal_speechless_over_pot.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/blumenthal_speechless_over_pot.html Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:05:52 -0500 Thursday July 10, 2008 Blog-o-rama was musing yesterday after about how long it would take Gov. M. Jodi Rell's media department to pick up on an AP story out of Boston that said New England governors were beginning a campaign to lobby the Bush administration, Congress and even presidential candidates in attempt to get additional heating assistance for what may be a long,cold winter of $5-a-gallon fuel oil. The article moved on the wire at about 2:23 p.m. It quoted New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, Maine Gov. John Balducci, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Rhode Island Gov. Gov. Don Carcieri, who had been meeting in Boston. Rell hadn't made the scene, though - instead staying in the Capitol to announce the new state Department on Aging, which will start in exactly a year - so Rell's name didn't appear in the story. Two hours later the predictable new release arrived from her office. "Governor Rell Presses for More Federal Home Heating Aid," it was headlined. "Governor M. Jodi Rell and other New England governors today are pressing U.S. Congressional leaders for increased federal aid to help low-income residents heat their homes this winter..." Blog-o-rama is making fun of what could become a very serious issue in just a few months. The governors want more funding through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to buy as much fuel as last winter, but they need $430 million more because of the rising costs. That's a 61-percent increase for the same amount as last year. "Never before in modern history has New England faced the prospect of so many residents being unable to heat their homes," Rell's rapid-response statement said. http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/rells_rapidresponse_team_feign.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/rells_rapidresponse_team_feign.html Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:57:59 -0500 Wednesday July 9, 2008 If you've had trouble parking at the Connecticut Post (no relation) Shopping Park in Milford, maybe here's the reason. he U.S. Census Bureau reports that Bridgeport had the state's largest drop in population last year, while Milford saw the biggest rise. The UConn-based Connecticut State Data Center, which reviewed the federal studyt, just reported this morning that 59 municipalities saw population drops last year. Overall, Connecticut's population grew by a not so whopping one fifth of one percent (6,556 people). Milford's increase of 532 people was the highest number, while Bridgeport's 252 loss was the largest decline, the report found. http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/bridgeport_shrinking_milford_g.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/bridgeport_shrinking_milford_g.html Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:15:12 -0500 Thursday July 3, 2008 Workmen on hands and knees are finally installing the new stonework along the baseboards in the underground walkway linking the Capitol to the Legislative Office Building. Instead of that crumbling, black Spanish marble, which they yanked out, using hammer and chisel last month, they're reinstalling Indian granite, which is supposedly four times stronger. Eric Connery, the chief building administrator for the Capitol complex, said today the Spanish marble was the last of the batch that was taken out of the LOB a few years back, when it was found to be breaking up and falling, creating a public-health hazard on some of the decorative columns. The LOB is 20 years old this year, but still marble should be more durable, you're think. Connery said even the baseboards, with no loads on them, were showing signs of spidering and breaking up. The cost of the work is less than $200,000. That's certainly a meager amount in the Capitol, where $5 million has been budgeted for rebuilding several rooms in the LOB. http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/capitol_in_oblique_homage_to_b.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/capitol_in_oblique_homage_to_b.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:11:04 -0500 Tuesday, July 1, 2008 Doug Schwartz, director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, just visited Capitol reporters to explain that finally, after four years in the saddle, Gov. Jodi Rell's sky-high approval ratings, thanks in part to concerns about the economy, are proving that gravity exists. Rell's popularity has plunged 11 points to a still-robust 65 percent. But it's her lowest rating yet. The poll was issued on the fourth anniversary of her ascension to the governor's office, following the resignation of John "Why Should I Resign If I've Done Nothing Wrong?" Rowland. . Nestled deep in the Q Poll - respected because of its large survey pool, this time 2,515 registered voters - is a statistic that should quiet conservative Republicans who opposed raising the minimum wage. Rell vetoed the Democratic-backed legislation, but last week's veto session of the General Assembly overrode it. The Q Poll found that 81 percent favor a higher minimum, including 81 percent of independent voters, the state's largest voter block; 92 percent of Democrats and 63 percent of Republicans. The current $7.65 minimum hourly wage will rise to $8 next January 1 and $8.25 a year later. http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/voters_to_conservative_lawmake.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/07/voters_to_conservative_lawmake.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:20:07 -0500 Monday June 30, 2008 U.S. Rep. John Larson, a former state Senate President, was up in the state Capitol today during an aptly named congressional recess, to announce that he filed federal legislation in attempt to help consumers on oil prices. He was literally singing the blues, when he decided to stumble over the name of iconic bottom-line investor T. Boone Pickens, when Larson instead called him "T.Bones Pickens" as if the multi-billionaire were an old Mississippi Delta guitarist, or Nashville music producer. Speaking about the long-shot schemes to expand arctic drilling, Larson said "Even T. Bones Pickens, for God's sakes says no we can't drill our way out of this problem." http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/t_bone_larson_sings_the_petrol.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/t_bone_larson_sings_the_petrol.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:16:13 -0500 Monday, June 23, 2008 It’s 10:20 a.m. and the…ah…SPARSE House has kicked off its veto session and recessed, while Democratic majority whips work the phone in attempt to remind caucus members they’re needed if Gov. Jodi Rell’s veto of the minimum-wage bill is to be overcome. Rep. Bob Godfrey, D-Danbury, was acting speaker at gaveled the chamber in at 10:05. Before him, in the 151 seats, were exactly four lawmakers, including Rep. Chris Caruso, D-Bridgeport, House Minority Leader Larry Cafero, R-Norwalk and House Majority Leader Chris Donovan, D-Meriden. Rep. Frank Nicastro, D-Bristol, was there to lead the chamber in the pledge of allegiance. There were five quick voice vote on House rules, payment of expenses and such. Nicastro may have been concerned about Cafero’s possible opposition of the rules, so when Godfrey called for a voice vote, Nicastro loudly screamed “Aye” in favor. No opposition materialized. “The chair appreciates the enthusiasm of the chamber,” Godfrey said dryly, with a twinkle in his eye. So now, if majority leadership can’t round up enough Democrats – at least 101 are needed for the override and the caucus has 107 on a good day – look for them to find some blow-up dolls to fill the seats, kind of like those people who cheat on the high-occupancy-vehicle lanes. If the D’s can’t come up with the bodies, it’s going to be pretty embarrassing in an election year. http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/vetooverride_muscle_tested_ds.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/vetooverride_muscle_tested_ds.html Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:33:34 -0500 Wednesday June 18, 2008 During this morning's bill-signing event on the Capitol's north steps, Gov. Jodi Rell again donned the cloak of reformer that has been her chief public image, even though she spent more than nine years as Johnny Johnola Rowland's lieutenant governor. Whatever makes state voters feel comfortable, Blog-o-rama guesses.One reporter at the event asked Rell whether she was signing for "cash discounts." That was a jkoing riff on the bill, signed earier in the week, to allow gas stations to offer lower prices for cash. Any reference to cash is bound to make any Connecticut pol nervous, though. Remember that $5,000 the undercover FBI agent offered now-former state Sen. Lou DeLuca? That moment must have sent an electric charge up Sweet Lou's spine. Anyway, Rell the Reformer picked up on the reporter's joke. "Don't even MENTION cash discounts on an ethics bill," Rell responded. Rell is infamous among reporters for too often using the word "frankly" to punctuate nearly every public statement. The Blogster wonders whether her handlers have tried to ween her from the term, or if it's terminal. As a rule, Rell may be the least spontaneous governor since, maybe, Bill O'Neill. Anyway, she was on the WTIC A.M. morning show the other day and during a 10-minute interview, Blog-o-rama noticed only TWO uses of "frankly." That could be a personal best. http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/frankly_rell_the_reformer_hits.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/frankly_rell_the_reformer_hits.html Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:39:32 -0500 Friday June 13, 2008 It seems like an unlucky day for the Democrat's Healthcare pooling bill, which has been on legislative Death Row for the last three weeks. Today's the last day for Gov. Jodi Rell to act or it goes into law. It's 11:10 a.m. and Blog-o-rama just encountered the governor walking across the Capitol's second floor from her office, along with two members of her State Police security detail and spokesman Chris Cooper, legal pad in hand. She was heading to her legal office, where presumably she was going to review the last draft of her veto message. Asked whether she was going to veto the bill, which would open up the state-employee healthcare program to towns, cities, small businesses and non-profits, the governor said "I don't know." Well it's a little late for "I don't know" and it's doubtful she would have wandered personally to confer with her lawyers if the governor was planning on letting the bill become law. So the Healthcare-pooling death watch has begun. http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/warden_rell_signing_death_warr.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/warden_rell_signing_death_warr.html Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:13:59 -0500 Wednesday June 11, 2008 Too bad the heat isn't as oppressive today as yesterday. Then we could have hoped for a power outage in the Capitol to punish the lawmakers who have ridden their high horses back today for an oh-so-very-special session, cleaning up work they should have completed by May 7. Every time the Blogster drives along Elm Street, he sees 10 or 12 DEP employees on the sidewalk huffing cigarettes. Unlike the TV and print ads that apparently inspired their nasty habits 30 or 40 years ago, these less-effective state workers look old and tired. Speaking of old and tired, the entrance to the Capitol's north side is stinking like cigarettes again because the General Assembly is back offering lip service to voters - yeah it's an election year. It's approaching noon and the extent of accomplishment is a few dozen ciggies have been inhaled and the Thomaston High School baseball team has been honored. Meanwhile, the ethics-reform bill is still on a high wire, awaiting Gov. Jodi Rell, or someone like her, namely Lisa Moody, her chief of staff, to sign off on the current compromise form. It's almost noon and time for caucusing the various bills that will turn one of the year's nicest days into a long morning's slog into the evening and beyond. But first, Senate Democrats will do what they do best: enjoy a free buffet as they sit and compliment each other on their "leadership." http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/lawmakers_back_today_doin_what.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/lawmakers_back_today_doin_what.html Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:23:40 -0500 Tuesday June 10, 2008 Leave leave it for the ever-optimistic Working Families lobbying group to stage an event for a lost cause on the hottest day of the year. They still think, bless their little starboard-leaning hearts, that the special session tomorrow is going to include the paid sick time legislation that was approved in the Senate but died in the House on the last day of the session May 7. Their little event today, featuring a little clothesline with infant clothing hanging, was promoting legislation that is DEAD, even though House leaders may have tried to assuage their disillusionment on May 8 by saying they'd consider it for the special session. http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/working_families_think_theyre.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/working_families_think_theyre.html Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:47:31 -0500 Monday June 2 2008 It’s mid-afternoon and by now, everyone who remotely cares about this interminable presidential race, knows that U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton has told select staff to fill out their final expense vouchers. So most likely, the sinuses of the junior senator from New York have finally opened up enough to smell the nearly burnt coffee. Another sign that Clinton’s campaign has reached the end of the trail is that Nancy DiNardo of Trumbull, the down-the-middle state Democratic chairwoman, has announced she’s backing U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for the party nomination set for the last week of August in Denver."Senator Barack Obama has helped to energize thousands upon thousands of Democrats in Connecticut and across the country,” DiNardo said Monday in a statement crafted out of Democratic state headquarters in Hartford. “He has inspired the electorate and won their confidence by demonstrating sound judgment, strength of spirit, dedication to those in need, and belief in the transforming power of community.” Blog-o-rama will spare you most of the rest of her boilerplate statement. “Senator Obama has built his campaign on an appeal to the deep-seated goodness of America,” she gushes, “the goodness that all Americans intuitively understand.” So I guess that makes Obama the Intuitive Candidate. The final count among Connecticut’s so-called super delegates: Obama 10, Clinton 2. http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/that_she_blows_hillary_on_the.html http://forum.connpost.com/politics/2008/06/that_she_blows_hillary_on_the.html Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:53:02 -0500