So, You Thought the Last Legislative Session Lacked Progress?

So, You Thought the Last Legislative Session Lacked Progress?

by Maximum Lawman March 18, 2010

HARTFORD — When it comes to Connecticut’s budget problems, ideas are in short supply inside majority party offices around the Capitol these days. Check out this recent story, where a House Democrat said that on their side of the aisle there’s distaste for both tax increases and spending cuts. So, as the Democrat said, it appears the legislature’s super majority is “stuck.” Connecticut faces a budget deficit of more than $500 million this year, and the situation looks even worse the following year. House Majority Leader Denise Merrill, according to the article, said a two-and-a-half-hour House Democrats meeting resulted in consensus on just this:

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State Employee Longevity Bonuses Debated

by Red Baron March 18, 2010

With the state in the final quarter of the fiscal year and the end to the legislative session less than two months away, Connecticut continues to post a roughly $500 million budget deficit, the practice of “longevity bonuses” for state employees continues.

House Republican Leader Larry Cafero has opposed the continuation of these bonuses which can range from $2,500 - $25,000 and are paid out over two payments during the calendar year, once in April and once in October.

Above is coverage from WTNH on the issue.

Williams Advocates for Open in Government

by Maximum Lawman March 17, 2010

Cafero’s Pre-Session Discussion with Small Town Leaders

by Maximum Lawman March 16, 2010

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Side Notes

Republicans Call for Delaying Longevity Payments
March 11, 2010

HARTFORD — Republicans today said that the millions of dollars in longevity bonuses due to thousands of state employees April 1 should be delayed given the state’s $500 million budget deficit.
Twice a year the state pays out longevity payments to employees who have worked for at least 10 years in the state system. Bonuses for [...]

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Williams Advocates for Small Business; Urges Accountability
March 3, 2010

HARTFORD — Rep. Sean Williams offered a common sense message to small business owners and manufacturers during a forum recently, asking them to hold lawmakers accountable for the actions they take and proposals they at the Capitol. It was the Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s “business day” in Hartford, and Williams, who represents Watertown and [...]

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Williams: Cities and Towns Need Mandate Relief…Now
February 11, 2010

WATERTOWN — Communities throughout the state are struggling to find money for building blocks such as road repair or new school books for children, but the state’s legislature could ease local budget crunches by rolling back costly municipal mandates it imposes but does not pay for, Rep. Sean Williams said.
That was the message from Williams [...]

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Coutu Reaches Out to Haitian Community in Norwich
January 16, 2010

NORWICH — State Rep. Christopher Coutu recently reached out to the city’s Haitian community whose members have struggled to find information about loved ones in the wake of a powerful earthquake that killed thousands in the country’s capital. Coutu spoke to roughly 200 members of a local church as part of an effort of local [...]

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