Cafero: Taxpayers on the Hook after State Rejected for Federal School Funds

Cafero: Taxpayers on the Hook after State Rejected for Federal School Funds

by Red Baron July 27, 2010

House Republican Lawrence F. Cafero, Jr. reacted to news today that the State of Connecticut did not make the cut in the competition with other states for $175 million in federal “Race to the Top” school funding.  The anticipation of the funding was a centerpiece of SB 438, An Act Concerning Education Reform in Connecticut.  Without that funding state taxpayers will now be expected to foot the cost of implementing that legislation. The bill

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Rep. Hwang Supports and Rides in CT Challenge®, Working to Assist Cancer Survivors

by Red Baron July 23, 2010

On Saturday, July 24th, the 6th Anniversary of the Connecticut Challenge bike ride will be held to benefit cancer survivors.  State Representative Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) will be on hand to support the event with a citation of recognition from Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the legislative General Assembly and ride as a participant as well.

“The Connecticut Challenge is a special event run by a passionate group of caring and dedicated volunteers,” said Rep. Hwang.  “Most people know someone who has been stricken with cancer.  Most of the focus of a patient and family rightly goes to combating the disease and surviving it. Once someone has achieved that heroic victory over the disease, there are a number of after-effects that need to be considered.  That is where the Connecticut Challenge comes in – it serves to support and educate cancer survivors on living life to its’ fullest.  I urge everyone who can to come out for this bike ride Saturday, even if you cannot ride, just come out and support the cause.  You truly can make a difference.”

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Scribner Promotes School Bus Safety, Savings for Communities

by Maximum Lawman July 6, 2010

ROCKY HILL — Legislation offering school districts tax credits when they buy buses outfitted with safety belts was cemented here today during a poignant ceremony attended by Rep. David Scribner.

The ceremony took place at Rocky Hill High School, where Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed the legislation giving districts 50 percent reimbursement on state sales tax paid for each new belt-outfitted bus bought. The parents of a Rocky Hill student killed this year in a school bush crash participated and challenged districts throughout the state to each purchase one safety belt-outfitted bus suitable for longer trips.

The legislature approved the tax credit measure during the final days of the 2010 session.

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Rep. Hoydick Tours Stratford Tornado Damage, Supports Call for FEMA Funds

by Red Baron June 29, 2010

In the hours following the brief storm last Thursday which ripped through Bridgeport and the Lordship section of Stratford, Rep, Laura Hoydick joined Stratford Mayor John Harkins in support of Governor M. Jodi Rell’s application for FEMA assistance to the city. The storm has since been declared a tornado, having cut a path of destruction through both communities, taking roofs off buildings, uprooting trees and shattering windows along the way.  Thankfully, no fatalities were reported from the dangerous and sudden storm. On Friday Rep. Hoydick took a walking tour to review the damage with Stratford Town Council members Kim Meuse (7th Dist.), Paul Hoydick (10th Dist.) and Chris Barnaby (1st Dist.) as well as Mayor Harkins and Roddy Diotalevi.

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Candelora in The CT Mirror: Growing surplus giveth, taketh away

by streadwell June 23, 2010

The CT Mirror: Growing surplus giveth, taketh away
Excerpts taken from Keith Phaneuf’s June 23rd article

“…General Fund revenues, excluding federal aid, are less than $320 million ahead of last fiscal year’s pace, despite just over $950 million in tax and fee hikes.

Rep. Vincent J. Candelora of North Branford, the ranking Republican representative on the Finance, Revenue and Bonding committee, said the new budget – which Republicans unanimously opposed in both chambers – was built on contradictory assumptions. And Williams and Rell, he added, are conveniently forgetting the $100 million hole that the new $104 million in surplus growth effectively creates.

‘This is about perception and deception,’ Candelora said, accusing Williams of election-year posturing. ‘It’s about intentionally trying to deceive the public so they perceive we are balancing the budget and doing our job. Come January 2011, everybody is going to be faced with a cold dose of reality.’”

To read the entire article, follow this link to the CT Mirror’s website.

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Side Notes

June 30, 2010

HARTFORD — As Metropolitan District Commission lawyers pursue an appeal of a multi-million dollar court award Rep. John Rigby and Sen. Kevin Witkos say they’ll push legislation aimed at making the nonprofit water company immune from legal suits filed by people injured at its recreational properties. The announcement from Colebrook resident Rigby and Witkos comes [...]

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May 6, 2010

Twelve hours after lawmakers took the final House vote Rep. Larry Cafero stood in a room packed with reporters asking for the Republican take on the 2010 legislative session. Cafero, House Minority Leader, gave a frank assessment of the legislative “accomplishments” trumpeted by Democrats, including a tax on electricity rates and budgetary schemes that pass [...]

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May 6, 2010
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April 27, 2010

Rep. Larry Cafero, leader of Connecticut’s House Republicans, weighs in on a bill that sought to create another layer of state government — something that address the needs of children during this economic recession.

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