And in black and white:
Showing posts with label 31st District. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 31st District. Show all posts
October 29, 2014
Mailings turn negative in Senate race's final days (Updated at 11 a.m.)
September 24, 2014
Martin's online advertisement promises to turn Connecticut around
September 11, 2014
Michalik secures backing from teachers' union
Rob Michalik Endorsed by Public School Teachers
Connecticut Education Association and American Federation of Teachers of Connecticut Endorse Rob Michalik for State Senate
September 10, 2014
Bristol CT – Democratic State Senate Candidate Rob Michalik, proudly announced the endorsement of his campaign by Connecticut’s public school teachers. Both the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) and the Connecticut affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have voted to endorse Michalik for the November 4th General Election. The organizations collectively represent all of Connecticut’s public school teachers.
“Providing Connecticut children with a high quality education will equip them with the foundation necessary to succeed in todays fast pace enviroment,” said Michalik. “My opponent has a record of continuously making cuts to public education. This district needs a strong voice in the senate that work together with parents, administrators, teachers and taxpayers to ensure our students are receiving the best education in our schools.”
“Rob’s support for children, teachers and public education has been made clear and as a result our organization is proud to endorse your candidacy,” said CEA President Sheila Cohen.
"We need legislators in Hartford who will stand up for the district’s working families and lead on the issues that matter. We look forward to Rob joining with educators, healthcare professionals and state employees to fight for great schools, affordable, quality healthcare and strong public services," said Melodie Peters, president of AFT Connecticut, which also represents public schools' support staff, nurses and healthcare workers, higher education faculty, and state and municipal employees.
“It is imperative that we work to ensure that our communities receive their fair share of education funding from the state to reduce the burden placed on local property taxes,” added Michalik. “Our students deserve the support, and our seniors and those with limited incomes can use the tax relief.”
The 31st state senate district consists of Bristol, Harwinton, Thomaston, Plainville and Plymouth.
June 18, 2014
OK, here's something unpredictable in the world of Bristol politics...
 |
| Susan Bysiewicz |
Eyeing the
prospect of jumping into the contest is Susan Bysiewicz, a former secretary of
state with a checkered political past that includes an unsuccessful primary bid
for U.S. Senate in 2012 and a judicial ruling in 2010 that barred her from
continuing to seek election as attorney general.
What makes
Bysiewicz’s interest in the state Senate seat most stunning is that she’s a
longtime Middletown resident with no roots in the 31st District.
Since the CT
Mirror broke the story late Tuesday, reaction in Bristol has been fierce.
“Always
expect the unexpected in Bristol politics,” said former Mayor Art Ward, a
Democrat. He said it “never ceases to amaze.” Read the full story here.
June 17, 2014
For Roche, a choice between love and politics
 |
To pursue political office, he would have to give up any chance of convincing his wife of 33 years to stick with him into old age.
He chose his wife, Lisa.
In an emotional address to AFL-CIO delegates at a state labor convention Monday, the Bristol labor leader said he would resign as the Democratic Party’s candidate for the 31st state Senate district seat.
That leaves the field at least temporarily wide open for Republican contender Henri Martin, a city councilor. Democrats are scurrying to figure out how to pick a replacement with a shot at winning.
Roche, 52, said that his wife separated from him two years ago when he first sought to claim the state Senate seat. He said he realized recently he never should have tried again this year.
“I blew it,” Roche said, adding that other changes are in store for his life.
He said that with politics out of the way, he can focus on a new, more important campaign: to win back the woman he loves. They have two children and two grandchildren.
Roche said he hopes to “finish writing the greatest love story ever told” instead of holding elected office.
State law allows the Democratic Party to replace Roche on the ballot, though it’s not clear exactly what the procedure is for doing so. Roche was nominated in May by a district-wide convention that included delegates from Bristol, Plainville, Plymouth, Thomaston and Harwinton. Bristol’s voters make up a bit more than half the total.
The seat is wide open this year because two-term incumbent Jason Welch, a Republican, opted not to seek reelection. The Bristol lawyer said he needed to devote more attention to his family and his job.
The man Welch defeated in 2010, longtime state Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Democrat, said Monday that he thinks Roche “could have actually won” this time around. But without him, Martin stands a good chance.
Colapietro said he has no desire to return to the fray. “Politics is getting kind of nasty. I don’t miss it,” he said.
Democratic city Councilor Calvin Brown said that Roche was “a stellar candidate” and a friend, “a truly great guy who cares more about working class families than most people in politics.”
Asked if he might consider a run for Senate this year, Brown said he loves being on the council.
“I know they’ll find a great candidate and I’ll support whoever it is,” Brown said.
Among the other potential contenders mentioned by political insiders Monday were former city Councilor Kevin McCauley, Democratic Registrar Mary Rydingsward, former city Councilor Craig Minor, City Councilor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu, former Mayor Art Ward and state Rep. Frank Nicastro. It’s not clear, though, that any of them are interested.
Martin said he has gathered sufficient campaign donations to qualify for public financing of his race, but hasn’t yet submitted the paperwork to the state commission to gain access to more than $80,000 in public financing, assuming he’s opposed, along with the $15,000 he raised to qualify.
A new Democratic challenger has to start from zero to raise the necessary funds and put a campaign together, a tall order so late in the game.
Roche is the longtime business manager for the sheet metal workers union and president of the Connecticut Building Trades and Construction Council. He is also the executive secretary of the Connecticut AFL-CIO.
Senators serve two-year terms for $28,000 annually, though all of them also receive extra pay for holding additional positions within the legislature. The election is Nov. 4.
June 16, 2014
Roche is quitting 31st District State Senate race today
May 20, 2014
Roche nominated for state Senate race
Press release from Democrat Dave Roche:
DAVE ROCHE WINS DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR 31ST STATE SENATE DISTRICT
Bristol—In front of more than 50 supporters in the Bristol Public Library Monday night, Bristol resident Dave Roche was officially nominated as the Democratic candidate in the race for the 31st District state Senate seat.
Dave Roche is seeking to succeed retiring state Senator Jason Welch (R- Bristol) and in his acceptance speech he told supporters his goal was find the middle ground to get the 31st District working again.
“Building the economy is just like my field of construction, you always start from the ground up,” said Roche. “Proper investments in our education system will serve as the foundation for our future. We have a tech school right here in Bristol but students leave without learning some fundamentals they will need to help them get jobs.When I am elected we will expand education and programs like Helmets to Hardhats to get people working again.This program can and will be expanded to help all our veterans who serve. Once we solidify our foundation we can focus on the framework of our economy.”
After the speech Dave thanked his supporters and vowed to work hand and hand with them to win in November.
The night started out with a nomination from Mike Portozza, a Bristol resident, who recognized Dave’s strong work ethic and ability to bring people together.
He continued by saying “ we need a senator who understands our day to day issues. Dave will fight for good paying jobs so working men and women can support their families. Dave will bring a strong voice to our district and the ability to get the job done.”
The 31st Senate District includes Bristol, Harwinton, Plymouth, Plainville and Thomaston.
March 6, 2014
Martin declares intention for state Senate run
Why did I decide to run
for State Senate?
I’m running because I want to help put the state back on a
path of prosperity. As we all know, the
state is still struggling to recover from an economic downturn that began over
six years ago and is still affecting our economy.
As a real estate broker I come across individuals and couples
regularly who are under a considerable amount of stress from this downturn. You
probably know friends and family members and business owners who are having a
hard time too.
I wish the state did more to help stimulate our economy. But
they don’t. Despite the spin we hear
from the Governor’s office about a surplus, the facts show we have one of the
weakest economies in the country, our job growth is well below the national
average, and our financial outlook is so fragile that businesses and people are
moving out faster than any other state in the country. According to the federal Bureau of Economic
Analysis and the Connecticut Department of Labor, Connecticut was the ONLY
state in the country that saw a decline in its Gross Domestic Product in
2012. And this was the second year of
decline in a row, again the only state in the country with that record.
Many people are still looking for work. And many have to leave the state to find work.
In 2008, the state lost 121,000 jobs. In the past six years we have recovered
only 52% of those jobs, while the rest of the country has recovered nearly 80%
of its lost jobs.
Job growth in Connecticut has been stagnant since 1990.
That’s over 2 decades. During the same period, the number of jobs in the U.S.
grew by over 20%. Put another way, if Connecticut had kept pace with the rest
of the country the state would now have 350,000 additional jobs.
Another contributing factor of these challenging economic
times is the reality our state has a $66 billion deficit made up of debt
service and unfunded pension and health care obligations. With a state population of 3.6 million, the
per capita dollar value of $66 billion in unfunded obligations is $19,000 for
every man, woman and child living in the state.
If you compare this to the bankrupt city of Detroit, their per capita
obligation is $25,000. Lurking ahead,
Connecticut also faces a $2 billion deficit in the next two fiscal years.
One has to ask: how did this happen? We have the best and most productive workers
in the country, we are well educated, our location is exceptional and our
quality of life is second to none. But
all these advantages are being drowned out by government overspending, massive
debt and policies that reduce our business competiveness in the national and
global market. Simply, we need to go in
a different direction – and fast – and that is why I’m running for State Senate
in the 31st District.
We must do better and the people of Connecticut deserve
better from their elected leaders in Hartford. This problem didn’t happen overnight and will
take a while to fix. It’s been growing
for years and the responsibility belongs with the past and present Executive
and Legislative branches of the state government, us who elect them and special
interest groups who support the elected officials for their own gain at the
expense of our future.
The current leadership in Hartford has had free rein over
state policy and spending for several years.
They have abused their majority position and have put our future at risk
and damaged our state’s reputation badly.
I am fed up with bad decisions and bad policies being rammed down our
throats like the outrageously expensive bus way between Hartford and New
Britain. Nobody needs a $600 million
dollar bus way, and nobody wants it. Yet
it was forced on us and they spent a lot of money we need to improve roads,
bridges and rail lines. This is
unacceptable to me, and the fiscal irresponsibility, raising taxes and
unsustainable spending has got to stop if we want our state economy to improve.
Further, I don’t believe the solution to Connecticut’s
lackluster economy, being proposed by our Governor in an election year, is to
raise the minimum wage and give everyone $55, while claiming we have a budget
surplus that everyone knows is just an accounting shell game.
The facts are clear, communities and states with higher
economic growth are the ones with less government spending and lower taxes that
attract people, businesses and jobs. We
have already lost one seat in Congress because of our shrinking population and
we are well on our way to losing another if the flow of people leaving the
state doesn’t stop. We need to offer
our children opportunities to stay here in Connecticut and raise their families
as we had when we were starting out.
There is no easy solution to turning these problems around. But it is obvious the direction the Governor
and the Democratic majority in Hartford is taking us is not working. The numbers speak for themselves, and have
for several years now. Albert Einstein
said it best, “The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over
and expect different results.” But
that’s exactly what we will be doing if we re-elect Governor Malloy and another
Democratic majority in Hartford. If we
want to avoid what happened to Detroit and put Connecticut on the right path to
economic growth we’ll need to face the situation with eyes wide open and make
some hard decisions. We cannot keep
doing what we are doing; passing bad financial decisions and wasteful spending
on to future generations.
For Connecticut to find its path to economic growth and
prosperity, and retain its jobs and skilled people it is going to require hard
working and concerned citizens to elect leaders who will advance policies that
will reduce taxes, minimize government spending and take the initiative to
address our looming debt obligations.
With your help in electing me, I’ll work to help refocus our
state government on things that matter most:
economic growth, long term job creation and fiscal responsibility. And that is why I’m running for State Senate
and why I’m asking for your support and your vote.
If elected I’ll take to heart the words of Rudy Giuliani –
“It would be an obligation, on my part, to perform honestly and effectively.”
February 12, 2014
Henri Martin jumps into State Senate race
Welch, also a Republican, said this month he was going to step down after his term ends so he could spend more with his family and his full-time job.April 24, 2012
Video: Roche slams Welch's record in Senate
Here is the speech that Democratic state Senate candidate Dave Roche delivered to the city's Democratic Town Committee on Monday night at City Hall:
Roche is hoping to unseat state Sen. Jason Welch, a Bristol Republican who captured the 31st Senate District seat two years ago.
Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
November 3, 2010
How come Colapietro lost?
While there's no doubt that Republicans across the country found many Democrats to be easy picking in a blowout election, that's not what happened in Connecticut.
In fact, it appears this morning that Connecticut Democrats may be in better shape today than they were before the election.
The Democrats retained all five congressional seats, turned aside Linda McMahon and her $50 million to hang on to a U.S. Senate seat and may well have captured the governorship for the first time in a quarter century.
So Colapietro's loss wasn't just the result of a shifting tide.
It was more personal than that.
Voters in the 31st District installed a GOP newcomer, Jason Welch, at least in part because they wanted a new state senator, not so much that they wanted change generally.
Colapietro, who was supremely classy in his defeat last night, said it was time for him to go out to pasture.
The truth is that Colapietro was ready to call it quits after 18 years in the Senate. He'd done much of what he sought to do -- the 'no call' list, subcontractor reform, holding off Sunday liquor sales and more.
He didn't have a burning desire to go back and finish anything in particular. He seemed, to be truthful, kind of tired of it all.
From the Democrats' perspective, it probably would have been best if Colapietro had simply stepped down, opening the door for a fresh face to claim his party's line.
But he wasn't quite ready for that.
Neither, though, was he ready for the rigors of a campaign.
He didn't bother to get his public financing in order until the last possible date. He didn't do much campaigning at all until the last few weeks, when the state Democrats stepped in to lend a hand.
Meanwhile, Welch was out there day after day, week after week, month after month, showing his face, telling voters about his more conservative vision for Connecticut, and sounding thoughtful, decent and solid.
In the sole debate, where the candidates had the questions in advance, Colapietro sounded confused and halting. Welch rolled over him. It was hard for most of us watching to imagine that Colapietro was the legislative veteran.
I've known Colapietro for a long time now -- 16 years -- and I've come to like the man. Politics aside, he's genuine. He says what he thinks and he doesn't really care what the consequences are.
When I first got to know him, he complained endlessly about the paper, about the vicious editorials that an anti-union former publisher used to write. He saw a conspiracy against him at the Press in every story.
But over time, he recognized that whatever had been the case, the paper no longer had it in for him. It just reported the news, which sometimes made him mad and sometimes happy.
Colapietro was always good ink.
I've read with horror the terrible things people write on this blog and elsewhere about Colapietro when they can bat out anonymous nonsense. Much of it is so cruel and beside the point that I can't figure out how come the words get spewed out.
I know some of that stung the senator, however much he claimed to have thick skin.
I really don't have any doubt that Colapietro and his wife Susan are going to have some good years ahead. The legislature is hard on anyone -- and the next couple of years are going to be especially difficult.
Welch thanked Colapietro last night for his 18 years of public service. That, too, was classy.
The new Republican senator has found Bristol a welcoming home. Let's hope he serves the city as well as he ran his upbeat, positive campaign.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
In fact, it appears this morning that Connecticut Democrats may be in better shape today than they were before the election.
The Democrats retained all five congressional seats, turned aside Linda McMahon and her $50 million to hang on to a U.S. Senate seat and may well have captured the governorship for the first time in a quarter century.
So Colapietro's loss wasn't just the result of a shifting tide.
It was more personal than that.
Voters in the 31st District installed a GOP newcomer, Jason Welch, at least in part because they wanted a new state senator, not so much that they wanted change generally.
Colapietro, who was supremely classy in his defeat last night, said it was time for him to go out to pasture.
The truth is that Colapietro was ready to call it quits after 18 years in the Senate. He'd done much of what he sought to do -- the 'no call' list, subcontractor reform, holding off Sunday liquor sales and more.
He didn't have a burning desire to go back and finish anything in particular. He seemed, to be truthful, kind of tired of it all.
From the Democrats' perspective, it probably would have been best if Colapietro had simply stepped down, opening the door for a fresh face to claim his party's line.
But he wasn't quite ready for that.
Neither, though, was he ready for the rigors of a campaign.
He didn't bother to get his public financing in order until the last possible date. He didn't do much campaigning at all until the last few weeks, when the state Democrats stepped in to lend a hand.
Meanwhile, Welch was out there day after day, week after week, month after month, showing his face, telling voters about his more conservative vision for Connecticut, and sounding thoughtful, decent and solid.
In the sole debate, where the candidates had the questions in advance, Colapietro sounded confused and halting. Welch rolled over him. It was hard for most of us watching to imagine that Colapietro was the legislative veteran.
I've known Colapietro for a long time now -- 16 years -- and I've come to like the man. Politics aside, he's genuine. He says what he thinks and he doesn't really care what the consequences are.
When I first got to know him, he complained endlessly about the paper, about the vicious editorials that an anti-union former publisher used to write. He saw a conspiracy against him at the Press in every story.
But over time, he recognized that whatever had been the case, the paper no longer had it in for him. It just reported the news, which sometimes made him mad and sometimes happy.
Colapietro was always good ink.
I've read with horror the terrible things people write on this blog and elsewhere about Colapietro when they can bat out anonymous nonsense. Much of it is so cruel and beside the point that I can't figure out how come the words get spewed out.
I know some of that stung the senator, however much he claimed to have thick skin.
I really don't have any doubt that Colapietro and his wife Susan are going to have some good years ahead. The legislature is hard on anyone -- and the next couple of years are going to be especially difficult.
Welch thanked Colapietro last night for his 18 years of public service. That, too, was classy.
The new Republican senator has found Bristol a welcoming home. Let's hope he serves the city as well as he ran his upbeat, positive campaign.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 29, 2010
New video assails Welch
By the way, I now do know who produced this and a previous video. I'll have that information on here soon.
Here is the note, in its entirety, that I got from the person who created this and a previous video about Welch:
Good morning. I wanted to write you a quick note of thanks for posting my video, "The Real Jason Welch, Don't Get Fooled".
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Here is the note, in its entirety, that I got from the person who created this and a previous video about Welch:
Good morning. I wanted to write you a quick note of thanks for posting my video, "The Real Jason Welch, Don't Get Fooled".
At the time, I was upset that Mr. Welch was playing the "victim" card, whining about mudslinging, when at that time, none existed. A quick tour around the internet and 10 minutes later, "Don't Get Fooled Again" was born.
I have no ties to either campaign, and am flattered the video received a wider viewing audience thanks to your website. I am a newcomer to the area, an independent voter who normally votes Republican. I can simply no longer abide with Tea Party backed candidates such as Mr. Welch, pandering to a crowd of people who scream how they "Love America" but appear to hate Americans. The Republican Party has been hijacked by "Cafeteria Constitutionalists" who want to pick and choose what they deem worthy from our Founding Fathers and the Constitution.
Mr. Welch is nothing more than an effete political opportunist who fails to confront the basest elements of his party. If he did, I would support him.
A quick look at BristolToday this morning has me thinking...
If pandering wasn't bad enough, Mr. Welch (or his rabid attack dogs) now resort to rumor mongering, scurrilously promoting an absurd, slanderous lie that "Union Thugs" will descend upon Bristol Election Day. This is exactly what Welch did back in September, throwing out a baseless attack: "Colapietro is Mudslinging" (he wasn't) forcing Colapietro respond. What is next from the Welch Campaign? Will Mr. Colapietro be forced to deny he is a witch?
I would encourage you to ask Mr. Welch how his gutter political tactics create a single job for anyone here? Further, are these the sorts of useless political stunts we can expect from Mr. Welch should he be elected?
Since I will be voting for Colapietro for the first time, I think you know my answers, but Welch should be held accountable to his tasteless, baseless campaign. Until those questions are answered, and in the spirit of Mr. Welch (and his James Carville like tactics), I present to you: "Jason Welch: Just Like Us?".
I hope you find it worthy of posting on your site, as I certainly enjoy reading BristolToday.com. I don't want to be the focus of this campaign, as I am not running for public office, but I thought I owed you an explanation.
Thanks again for posting my previous video, and in advance for your consideration.
M Jennings
Harwinton, CT
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 26, 2010
Colapietro and Welch face off in sole state Senate debate
Photo shared by James Bailey Brislin
The 18-year-incumbent, Democrat Tom Colapietro, said his views are “absolutely opposite” those voiced by his Republican challenger, Jason Welch.
Welch said they have “two different visions of government” and dismissed Colapietro’s as “the vision of the past.”
Welch, an attorney, said the state needs a new direction away from two decades’ worth of stagnant job growth, high energy costs and high taxes.
He said his own vision includes “a fiscally responsible government,” across-the-board spending cuts, reductions in unfunded mandates and other measures aimed at convincing businesses to take a chance on Connecticut and to begin hiring.
Colapietro, a retired factory worker and former union lobbyist, said he’s proud of what he’s achieved in Hartford over the years.
“I have a record. I’ve done a lot of good for a lot of people,” Colapietro said.
The two faced off at Chippens Hill Middle School in a forum sponsored by the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce. About 125 people attended
I'll post a link to the full story by morning.
Update: You can watch some of the debate thanks to Press photographer Mike Orazzi:
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 25, 2010
Colapietro fires back at family institute
State Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat, said that attacking him for allegedly being "anti-family" is ridiculous.
"I think they're stooping to a new low," said Colapietro, who is seeking reelection to the 31st District seat he's held since 1992.
The Family Institute of Connecticut's political action committee, which accused the senator of voting against families, is "anti-gay, anti-abortion," Colapietro said.
In fact, he said, "They're anti-human being."
Colapietro, who is locked in a tight race with Republican challenger Jason Welch, said he has a family so the attack doesn't even make sense.
He said his critics are waging "a win-at-all-costs type of campaign" that depends on badmouthing him.
But the senator said he's not worried.
"The people will decide" next week, he said.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
"I think they're stooping to a new low," said Colapietro, who is seeking reelection to the 31st District seat he's held since 1992.
The Family Institute of Connecticut's political action committee, which accused the senator of voting against families, is "anti-gay, anti-abortion," Colapietro said.
In fact, he said, "They're anti-human being."
Colapietro, who is locked in a tight race with Republican challenger Jason Welch, said he has a family so the attack doesn't even make sense.
He said his critics are waging "a win-at-all-costs type of campaign" that depends on badmouthing him.
But the senator said he's not worried.
"The people will decide" next week, he said.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Colapietro called "anti-family" by state group
The Institute said in its statement that Colapietro is "an anti-family incumbent" who is pro-abortion and "hostile to homeschooling."
The Bristol incumbent has "a long history of voting for legislation that is anti-family and anti-life," according to the group.
Welch, on the other hand, "completely supports family values," the organization's Action Committee said in the release.
It said that Welch is one of three state Senate hopefuls who are "pro-family" who may upset an anti-family incumbent.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 21, 2010
Colapietro: Republicans are whining babies
A new campaign mailing from state Sen. Tom Colapietro slams his Republican challenger as a carpetbagger who doesn’t care about his new hometown.
Featuring a moving van on its front, the mailer declares that Jason Welch “just moved here. Now he thinks he deserves to be your state senator.”It goes on to point out that his job is out of town and that Welch’s children “don’t go to our schools.”
“He has never had any connection to our community,” the Bristol Democrat’s mailer continues.
The whole thing belongs in a gutter, said city Republican Party leader T.J. Barnes.
“Tom has taken the low road,” Barnes said, and has chosen to follow a “disgusting” path of attacking his opponent instead of talking about the many serious issues facing both the 31st District and the state.
“I’m sick of this,” Barnes said.
Colapietro, though, was not about to back down.
“My answer to them is pretty simple: they’ve been negative on me ever since I’ve taken office” back in 1992, the senator said.
“They gotta get real,” Colapietro said. “This is an election and it’s time to stop whining.”
“As soon as I come out with the truth, they cry like babies,” Colapietro said. “I didn’t say anything in there that wasn’t true.” Click here for the story.*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 18, 2010
State GOP eyes Colapietro
No surprise to anyone watching the 31st District state Senate race this year, but the state GOP thinks it may be able to knock off state Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat.
Democrats control two-thirds of the Senate's 36 seats and no matter what happens to Colapietro, the Republicans will almost certainly still be outnumbered. The GOP's legislative clout is so paltry that even a big win for Republicans in General Assembly races this fall is only going to make a little dent in the Democrats' control.
Jason Welch, an attorney, is taking on Colapietro for the Republicans.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Democrats control two-thirds of the Senate's 36 seats and no matter what happens to Colapietro, the Republicans will almost certainly still be outnumbered. The GOP's legislative clout is so paltry that even a big win for Republicans in General Assembly races this fall is only going to make a little dent in the Democrats' control.
Jason Welch, an attorney, is taking on Colapietro for the Republicans.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 15, 2010
Welch says state can't keep shortchanging pension funds
Press release from Jason Welch, a Republican running for state Senate in the 31st District:
“The General Assembly, including my opponent Senator Tom Colapietro, over the years has voted to approve state employee contracts with employee pension obligations, but deferred making required state contributions into that pension fund.” Welch added, “This has created a massive amount of debt and unfunded obligations, which ultimately puts those pensions at risk and wrongly burdens future generations. With more than $60 billion in current unfunded obligations, each Connecticut resident’s share is about $17,500.”
Welch stated that all pension funds are under-funded and that the time has come for the members of the General Assembly to meet the state’s current obligations and stop deferring the payments. “They need to stop funding their pet projects and fund the promises that they have made to our state employees and retirees,” Welch said.
“As a member of the State Senate, I will not vote for any budget that grossly underfunds current pension obligations.” Welch added, “Our children and our grandchildren should not have the added burden of paying for the promises that we made today, and our state employees and retirees deserve to know that their pensions are intact. Though the benefit structure for new employees ought to be reformed and brought more in line with private sector benefits, which is a part of my plan to control state spending, we need to keep the promises we have made to date.”
Welch’s Democratic opponent, 18 year incumbent Senator Tom Colapietro, is well known for his contention that Republicans are going to gut state government. The reality is that Senator Colapietro has been gutting union pensions to the tune of 100s of millions of dollars (200 million last year alone). Welch has called for a 7-10% across the board reduction of state costs, starting at the top and excluding understaffed and public safety agencies such as Corrections, in addition to other cost savings. That is hardly gutting.
Welch pointed out the irony that Senator Colapietro prides himself on representing the working person, yet he has routinely underfunded the working person’s pension rather than trim the fat in upper-management at state agencies.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Welch: Fully Fund the Pension Fund
(Bristol) Jason Welch, the Republican nominee for the State Senate from the 31st district, today called upon the General Assembly to fully fund the State’s pension obligations and to stop deferring payments to future years.“The General Assembly, including my opponent Senator Tom Colapietro, over the years has voted to approve state employee contracts with employee pension obligations, but deferred making required state contributions into that pension fund.” Welch added, “This has created a massive amount of debt and unfunded obligations, which ultimately puts those pensions at risk and wrongly burdens future generations. With more than $60 billion in current unfunded obligations, each Connecticut resident’s share is about $17,500.”
Welch stated that all pension funds are under-funded and that the time has come for the members of the General Assembly to meet the state’s current obligations and stop deferring the payments. “They need to stop funding their pet projects and fund the promises that they have made to our state employees and retirees,” Welch said.
“As a member of the State Senate, I will not vote for any budget that grossly underfunds current pension obligations.” Welch added, “Our children and our grandchildren should not have the added burden of paying for the promises that we made today, and our state employees and retirees deserve to know that their pensions are intact. Though the benefit structure for new employees ought to be reformed and brought more in line with private sector benefits, which is a part of my plan to control state spending, we need to keep the promises we have made to date.”
Welch’s Democratic opponent, 18 year incumbent Senator Tom Colapietro, is well known for his contention that Republicans are going to gut state government. The reality is that Senator Colapietro has been gutting union pensions to the tune of 100s of millions of dollars (200 million last year alone). Welch has called for a 7-10% across the board reduction of state costs, starting at the top and excluding understaffed and public safety agencies such as Corrections, in addition to other cost savings. That is hardly gutting.
Welch pointed out the irony that Senator Colapietro prides himself on representing the working person, yet he has routinely underfunded the working person’s pension rather than trim the fat in upper-management at state agencies.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 5, 2010
Welch urges serious look at state spending cuts
Republican state Senate candidate Jason Welch issued the following press release in his 31st District race:
Welch is responding to a recent Bristol Press article where Senator Colapietro claimed that Republicans want to “gut” state government. In the article, Senator Colapietro said ”All the Republicans want to do is cut, cut, cut and I say, what, what, what.” In response, Welch said “I think his statements are merely rhetoric and fear mongering. I was one of the first state senate candidates to call for across the board spending cuts of up to 10%, with certain exceptions. I have outlined how those cuts need to come from the top of the agencies, not the bottom, in addition to reforming benefits for new state employees, while keeping and funding our promises to current state employees.”
“The question I have for Senator Colapietro is does he think the state can go on without cuts?” Welch continued, “because not even his own party’s candidate for Governor thinks that.” In recent television commercials, Mayor Dan Malloy has said that if he is elected Governor he will cut state agencies by 1/3. “Now that is gutting,” Welch said. “If Malloy is serious, then Senator Colapietro should be asking him what, what, what.” Welch thinks that cutting a third of state agencies overnight would be too much of a shock to the system of an already fragile economy.
Welch called on Senator Colapietro to find out what Mayor Malloy would be cutting if elected. “If the Democrats are serious about making meaningful cuts that would save taxpayers money then I ask Governor Rell to call the General Assembly back into session this month and let’s make the cuts now. Why wait until January 2011?” Welch noted that the Democrats have controlled spending in Hartford for years now, yet have been unable to produce a meaningful reduction in costs.
“The people of the 31st state senate district are tired of the finger pointing and lack of action,” Welch continued. Welch pointed out that during Senator Colapietro’s tenure in the State Senate the budget and spending have ballooned, the pension funds are severely underfunded risking the security of many of our state retirees, and Senator Colapietro recently voted to borrow nearly one billion dollars to help fund the state’s irresponsible spending habits.
“All this spending is done on the backs of our children and grandchildren and jeopardizes the pensions of current state workers.” Welch concluded: “It’s time that Connecticut gets serious about its spending habits and elect leaders to the General Assembly that understand that business as usual is not acceptable.”
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Welch: It’s Time To Get Serious About State Spending
Jason Welch, the Republican nominee for State Senate from the 31st district, called for Senator Colapietro to reveal his plan to stimulate the economy and bring jobs back to the 31st. “My ideas have been on the table for months now, it’s time to hear his,” Welch said.*****Welch is responding to a recent Bristol Press article where Senator Colapietro claimed that Republicans want to “gut” state government. In the article, Senator Colapietro said ”All the Republicans want to do is cut, cut, cut and I say, what, what, what.” In response, Welch said “I think his statements are merely rhetoric and fear mongering. I was one of the first state senate candidates to call for across the board spending cuts of up to 10%, with certain exceptions. I have outlined how those cuts need to come from the top of the agencies, not the bottom, in addition to reforming benefits for new state employees, while keeping and funding our promises to current state employees.”
“The question I have for Senator Colapietro is does he think the state can go on without cuts?” Welch continued, “because not even his own party’s candidate for Governor thinks that.” In recent television commercials, Mayor Dan Malloy has said that if he is elected Governor he will cut state agencies by 1/3. “Now that is gutting,” Welch said. “If Malloy is serious, then Senator Colapietro should be asking him what, what, what.” Welch thinks that cutting a third of state agencies overnight would be too much of a shock to the system of an already fragile economy.
Welch called on Senator Colapietro to find out what Mayor Malloy would be cutting if elected. “If the Democrats are serious about making meaningful cuts that would save taxpayers money then I ask Governor Rell to call the General Assembly back into session this month and let’s make the cuts now. Why wait until January 2011?” Welch noted that the Democrats have controlled spending in Hartford for years now, yet have been unable to produce a meaningful reduction in costs.
“The people of the 31st state senate district are tired of the finger pointing and lack of action,” Welch continued. Welch pointed out that during Senator Colapietro’s tenure in the State Senate the budget and spending have ballooned, the pension funds are severely underfunded risking the security of many of our state retirees, and Senator Colapietro recently voted to borrow nearly one billion dollars to help fund the state’s irresponsible spending habits.
“All this spending is done on the backs of our children and grandchildren and jeopardizes the pensions of current state workers.” Welch concluded: “It’s time that Connecticut gets serious about its spending habits and elect leaders to the General Assembly that understand that business as usual is not acceptable.”
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 30, 2010
Colapietro calls death penalty 'a joke'
In the middle of the trial of Steven Hayes, whose lawyer admits he raped and murdered Jennifer Hawke-Petit in Cheshire three years during one of the most horrible crimes in Connecticut history, it’s tough to speak out against the death penalty.
But state Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat, said he still thinks it’s a bad idea.
“The death penalty is the biggest joke that I ever heard,” Colapietro said. Voting against it, he said, “is just plain old common sense.”
He said that while he could “vote either way” on the death penalty in the abstract, he opposes it because he’s concerned the state might put an innocent person to death someday and because the existing system is merely a way to lawyers employed.
“The only people who are going to make money from it are the lawyers,” said Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat who has represented the 31st District since 1992. He said as long as attorneys can file endless appeals, they’ll keep raking it in from death penalty cases.
Colapietro’s Republican challenger, Jason Welch of Bristol, said the state needs “a viable death penalty.”
He said the Petit case itself shows that society should have the death penalty as “the last resort” for especially heinous crimes.
Colapietro countered that because Welch is a lawyer – who handles claims related to construction cases – he would naturally want to keep the death penalty.
The death penalty, he said, “is job security for lawyers.”
Click here for the story.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
But state Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat, said he still thinks it’s a bad idea.
“The death penalty is the biggest joke that I ever heard,” Colapietro said. Voting against it, he said, “is just plain old common sense.”
He said that while he could “vote either way” on the death penalty in the abstract, he opposes it because he’s concerned the state might put an innocent person to death someday and because the existing system is merely a way to lawyers employed.
“The only people who are going to make money from it are the lawyers,” said Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat who has represented the 31st District since 1992. He said as long as attorneys can file endless appeals, they’ll keep raking it in from death penalty cases.
Colapietro’s Republican challenger, Jason Welch of Bristol, said the state needs “a viable death penalty.”
He said the Petit case itself shows that society should have the death penalty as “the last resort” for especially heinous crimes.
Colapietro countered that because Welch is a lawyer – who handles claims related to construction cases – he would naturally want to keep the death penalty.
The death penalty, he said, “is job security for lawyers.”
Click here for the story.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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