Archive for March, 2008

Home Invasion and Murder Renews Call for Tougher Sentences

by: Red Baron March 31, 2008

The tragic and senseless home invasion and murder Sunday of a New Britain woman has brought the need for tougher sentencing in Connecticut into view once more.
“We have been told over and over that there is little that could have been done to prevent the evil acts that took place in Cheshire last summer or [...]

Connecticut is Number One!

by: Red Baron March 31, 2008

Unfortunately, it isn’t a sports statistic. According to the Tax Foundation, Tax Freedom Day (the calculated date citizens have earned enough to pay their annual tax obligation and begin keeping what they earn) occurs nationally on April 23rd this year. 
Unfortunately for Connecticut residents, it will be a little longer for us.  According to their recent [...]

Cafero v. Amann on CPTV

by: Red Baron March 28, 2008

House Republican Leader Larry Cafero (R-Norwalk) went head to head this morning with House Speaker Jim Amann (D-New Milford) during their taping today for Connecticut Public Television’s “On the Record” which is hosted by Steve Kotchko.
The program will air tonight on CPTV at 9:30 p.m.  If you happen to have something else to do on a Friday [...]

Governor Rell Remarks on Democrats’ Budget Proposal

by: Red Baron March 28, 2008

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0rVnUDgXm0&hl=en]
Governor M. Jodi Rell today commented on this week’s budget proposal of Democrats in the General Assemly’s Appropriations Committee.  Her remarks were during a press conference in the Legislative Office Building this morning following the monthly meeting of the State Bond Commission.

Not Ready to Cut Your Taxes

by: Red Baron March 27, 2008

If you thought that the Democrats’ unveiling of a budget yesterday that comes in lower than the one proposed by Governor M. Jodi Rell last month means they are ready to lower your taxes, think again.
The Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee today voted 29-21 to continue the Real Estate Conveyance Tax, a tax we were [...]

House GOP Reacts to Democrats’ Appropriations Budget

by: Red Baron March 26, 2008

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Democrats today tried to take a page from the House Republicans’ successful 2007 No Tax Increase budget today by putting forth a spending plan that apparently won’t increase taxes this year but could lead to massive deficits next years because of built-in questionable savings.Republicans immediately questioned whether the proposal which includes $189 million new spending, [...]

Rep. Hamzy: “Jen’s Law” Passes Judiciary

by: Red Baron March 24, 2008

A measure developed by Deputy Republican Leader William A. Hamzy, R-78th District, that would allow family violence victims who fear for their safety to offer court testimony via teleconference rather than being forced to appear in person was approved unanimously today by the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee.The legislation (House Bill 5875) stemmed from the August 2007 murder [...]

House GOP Leader Larry Cafero on “Three Strikes”

by: Red Baron March 20, 2008

House Republican Leader Larry Cafero was interviewed today on 1080 AM concerning the defeat by Democrats in the Judiciary Committee of a tough ‘Three Strikes’ bill that would require life in prison for a third conviction on a violent offense.
You can listen to the interview here.
“I don’t think it died, look at your polls,” said [...]

Democrats Defeat “Three Strikes” Bill in Judiciary Committee

by: Red Baron March 19, 2008

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House and Senate Democrats today defeated a tough ‘Three Strikes’ bill today in the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 25-16.  All Republican House and Senate members voted in favor of the bill that requires those criminals convicted of third dangerous felony such as murder, rape or assault to receive a sentence of life in prison [...]

Business Entity Tax Moves Toward Elimination

by: Red Baron March 11, 2008

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Today members of the House Republican caucus joined with other legislators, State Business Advocate Rob Simmons, and Connecticut business leaders and called for a full repeal of the state’s Business Entity Tax.   The Business Entity tax was adopted in 2002 as a temporary measure to close a budget deficit. Six years on, the tax remains [...]