Welsh weighs in on Malloy's agenda

Sen. Welch: We need to be realistic. There is a disconnect to what middle class and working poor families are going through.

February 10, 2014

Senator Jason Welch (R-Bristol) (4th from the left) in the senate chamber on the opening day of the 2014 legislative session listening to Senate Minority Leader John McKinney speak.

Hartford, CT – State Senator Jason Welch (R-Bristol) released the following statement today re: Governor Malloy’s State of the State speech on opening day of the 2014 Legislative session.

“The governor’s theme seemed to be moving Connecticut forward which I agree we need to do. However, we need to be realistic about where we are today. There is a disconnect to what middle class and working poor families are going through. The governor has proposed moving $3 billion in Medicaid spending off the books. This means we are ignoring some huge bills. He also is suggesting borrowing more money and putting it on the state credit card in order to pay for new initiatives. This is risky and shows a lack of understanding to the current economic situation in our state.

“23,000 fewer people are working today in Connecticut since Governor Malloy took office. Connecticut’s unemployment rate remains one of the highest in the nation. Our cost of living in the state remains a burden to the average family. Gas prices are one of the highest in the nation, electricity costs are up and taxes are overwhelming.

“I am open to some of the Governor’s ideas including: ending homelessness among our veterans by 2015. But the reality is we have open beds at the State Veterans facility in Rocky Hill because of the administration’s failure to act. Another concept I am open to is one I have been fighting for in Hartford; reducing taxes. Not charging a sales tax on clothing under $50 is good policy. But there are many other areas where we can ease the burdens of our middle class, working poor families and our small businesses.

“We need to be realistic about where we are. At this point the recovery is stagnant and too many of our neighbors are still not working.

“I am confident that over the next 90 days lawmakers will have solid discussions about what our core commitments are and whether more restraint is needed.”

The 2014 legislative session ends in May.

Copyright 2014 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Marko: 'I would have strangled the bastard'

Gov. Dannel Malloy poising with Democratic officials outside the party's HQ in Bristol on Sunday.

Democratic City Council candidate Allen Marko, who has been almost entirely absent from the campaign trail, weighed in on Facebook this morning with a comment that might make his party's leaders glad he hasn't been around. After a party official posted a photograph of Gov. Dannel Malloy posing with Democratic leaders Sunday morning outside the party's Bristol headquarters, Marko posted a comment:
If I had been there I would have strangled the bastard for what he's done to education and teachers in this state. I didn't believe it when people told me in 2010 that he was a corporate shill but he's in bed with all the companies and false "reformers" trying to make a buck by privatizing education.

Marko is a teacher in Watertown. He ran unsuccessfully for council in 2009 and is one of two Democrats vying for a seat in the 2nd District this time around. He faces incumbent Republican Henri Martin and the GOP's Rich Miecznikowski. The other Democrat in the race is Bob Vojtek. Unaffiliated candidate Frank Kramer is also in the running.
Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy to hold forum in Bristol on Thursday

Press release from Gov. Dannel Malloy:

Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman today announced that they will host a community forum in Bristol onThursday, May 16, 2013, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Greene-Hills School (718 Pine Street).

These town hall-style events provide an opportunity to discuss the state’s pressing issues face-to-face with state residents.  They are open to the public; tickets are not necessary and seats are available on a first come, first served basis.

Those who would like an opportunity to ask a question should arrive a little bit earlier to fill out the sign-up sheet.  Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Additional dates and locations across the state will be announced as they are scheduled.  For the latest schedule, please visit http://governor.ct.gov/communityforums.

Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Cockayne calls on Malloy to save gun makers

Press release from GOP mayoral hopeful Ken Cockayne:

City Councilman and Republican Mayoral candidate Ken Cockayne today sent a letter to Governor Dannel Malloy urging him and the office of Economic and Community Development to reach out to the Gun manufactures in Connecticut and urge them to stay in Connecticut.

Cockayne’s letter comes after PTR Industries of Bristol wasthe first Gun Manufacture in Connecticut to announce it is leaving the state. “At a time when municipalities as well as the state could use all the revenue it can get, we should be doing everything in our power to not let these jobs walk away from our state.  Our unemployment rate in Bristol is hovering at 9.3% and every business is sacred to our local economy,” Cockayne wrote to the Governor.

“I am hopeful that the Governor and DECD have a plan to keep gun manufactures in Connecticut and I am hopeful that they will be sharing that plan with local officials,” Cockayne continued, “Our economy in Bristol and Connecticut is sputtering and I hope no one in the Governor’s office or administration is jumping for joy that these businesses and jobs are leaving the state.”

“if elected Mayor, I will be placing an emphasis on bringing new jobs to Bristol and working closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the marketing committee to make Bristol more attractive for businesses to locate here,” Cockayne ended.

Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

$16 million in state aid for Bristol could vanish

The alternative budget that Gov. Dannel Malloy is eyeing should state workers refuse concessions would leave cities and towns reeling.Bristol alone would lose $16 million in state aid for the coming fiscal year -- enough to devastate services and cripple education.Raising that much locally would require a property tax hike of nearly 4 mills, which nobody would try to do in an election year, so the only way to cope would be layoffs and axing services.Frankly, I'm not sure what Bristol would do. It's a scenario so dire that nobody's ever talked about how they'd deal with such a hit.Of course, the legislature might well refuse to go along with such a large cut.But lawmakers have shown time and again that they don't like to deal with fiscal realities. Malloy at least is looking at the ugly necessity of either slashing spending or raising taxes. He's not just punting.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

The governor comes to town

I was surprised last night by two things: the fact that most of the big crowd who came to hear Gov. Dannel Malloy were from Bristol and that the governor generally received a polite listening. Considering how mad so many people are about proposed cuts and tax hikes, it was refreshing in a way to have the vast majority of those in attendance treat Malloy respectfully. There seemed to a feeling that whatever the flaws in his plan, he deserved some credit for at least confronting the fiscal realities, something that hasn't happened in years.On the other hand, it doesn't mean the legislature will go along with him.State Rep. Chris Wright, a Bristol Democrat, told me a story that pretty much illustrates the entire problem. He told me about a constituent who vehemently pleaded with him last fall to get in there and cut, cut, cut until state government reached a size we could live with. That same person contacted him recently to beg him not to allow the governor to slice away a program that mattered to him, Wright said. And that is the paradox of out times: Everyone wants to cut someone else's program. And nobody wants a tax hike.Yet something  has to give, as Malloy made painfully clear.Anyway, here is a link to the story I wrote about what Malloy had to say and here is another link to a story by reporter Jackie Majerus about why some of those in attendance showed up.If I get a chance today, I'll go through my notes and post some of the other interesting moments from the town hall session. By the way, one other thing I thought was interesting: many Republicans came to hear Malloy. I noticed state Sen. Jason Welch, state Rep. Whit Betts, former Mayor William Stortz, city GOP leader TJ Barnes, city Councilor Ken Cockayne (who wheedled a photo of the governor with his son) and more. It was nice to see that a governor's town hall did not become a partisan event. I also liked that at least most of the questions were clearly not setups, which is something you have to give Malloy credit for. He's standing up and taking it.*****Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy coming to Bristol Monday

Gov. Dannel Malloy will bring his traveling show to Bristol on Monday for an hour long public hearing on his proposed budget cuts and tax hikes.
Originally slated for City Hall, the 7 p.m. session has been moved to the auditorium Bristol Eastern High School so more people can squeeze in. It will fill up fast even there if the governor's other meetings are any indication.
Malloy will likely talk for about 15 minutes, then field questions.
If you want to get in, get there early. If you want to ask the governor a question, well, good luck.
It's going to be a madhouse there.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy is key to busway's future

The $45 million allocated in President Obama’s new budget for the proposed busway between Hartford and New Britain won’t make much difference in whether the plan moves forward.

The key decision-maker remains Gov. Dannel Malloy, who said as recently as Monday that he hasn’t made up his mind.

With the state Department of Transportation preparing to put parts of the project out to bid next month and a full funding agreement between the state and federal highway officials due soon, the momentum for the busway project could carry the day unless the governor opts to hit the brakes.

Whether that will happen remains a giant question mark. Click here for the full story.

Source of funding

Federal New Starts Funds -- $275.3 million

Federal Urbanized Area Funds - $18.2 million

Federal Fixed Guideway Modernization Funds - $21.2 million

Federal Bus Discretionary Funds - $25.9 million

Federal Flexible Highway Funds - $112.7 million

National Highway Funds - $6 million

State Transportation Fund - $113.3 million

Busway hearings

The Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce will hold two and possibly more informational sessions about the busway.

The sessions are slated to begin at 6 p.m. on both Monday, Feb. 28 and Wenesday, March 2 at the chamber office at 200 Main St. in Bristol.

The sessions are free and open to the public. Since space is limited, those who wish to attend should pre-register by calling (860) 584-4718 or at CentralCTChambers.org.

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy: honest broker or wimp?

For some, Gov. Dannel Malloy is coming through as promised with a tough budget that keeps municipalities happy and shares sacrifice widely.

For others, though, he’s a wimp.

One thing that’s for sure, though, is that his proposed spending plan shows at least one marked difference from those of his Republican predecessors: there is nothing in it about shutting down either the courthouse or the Bristol Technical Education Center.

It seeks to preserve existing levels of education aid, considered crucial to keeping property taxes in check, and generally holds the line on most state aid. Click here for the story.

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Opening Day in Hartford

State Sens. Joe Markley and Jason Welch

Despite the inevitability of partisan bickering and budget battles to come, Inauguration Day at the Capitol provided a jolt of hope for a state mired in economic misery.
“It’s exciting. Everybody’s starting a new page,” said Steve Casey, a former state senator from Bristol.
With the opening of the General Assembly session and the swearing-in of Gov. Dannel Malloy as the state’s 88th governor, politicians on both sides of the aisle talked about the necessity of facing Connecticut’s woes head on.
“There’s a little bit of a dreamlike aspect to all of this,” said state Sen. Joe Markley, R-Southington, who was thinking back to his first term in the legislature a quarter century ago.
For state Rep. Frank Nicastro, D-Bristol, the start of the new session is “very exciting” in large part because Malloy is taking hold of the helm.
“We’re going to turn the state around and bring it back,” Nicastro said.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm here,” said state Rep. Betty Boukus, D-Plainville, because of “a blend of old and new” officials and the swearing-in of Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman.
State Rep. Whit Betts, R-Bristol, said he is also excited at the possibilities.
“I hope we can meet on common ground,” Betts said.
State Sen. Jason Welch, R-Bristol, said that a lot of serious work lies ahead to repair the state’s fortunes and that Republicans and Democrats “disagree on how to fix it.”
But, he said, the Democrats in the Senate have been “very welcoming” and he hopes everyone can settle on a course that will get the economy flowing again and create much-needed jobs.
Malloy said the state has reached “a crossroads of crisis and opportunity” and that if its leaders show strength and compassion, they can fix the state’s finances and economy.
“We will need to solve our problems together – by pursuing with great urgency not Republican ideas or Democratic ideas, but good ideas that know no political master or agenda," Malloy said in his address.
State Rep. Chris Wright, D-Bristol, said the first day is always fun, but he’s sure a long and difficult session lies ahead.
“There’s going to be no easy answers,” Wright said, because every spending cut creates howls from whoever is hurt but somehow the state has to fill a multi-billion hole in its budget.
Sacrifices are going to be required, Wright said, and the need to slice spending and raise taxes is “going to upset people, but that’s what we were elected to do.”
Casey, who works for the state’s information technology department, said it helps “to have a new governor who has a lot of hope and vitality and who is willing to take on the massive challenges we have.”
“We’re ready,” Boukus said.
[And here is the New Britain version of this story, which is actually quite different.]

Two new Bristol lawmakers

Bristol’s two new GOP legislators took office Wednesday morning at the Capitol amidst many family and friends.

The weight of responsibility that comes with the office “hit me for the first time today,” said state Rep. Whit Betts. “It was a very serious moment.”

State Sen. Jason Welch said he’d been so busy that the enormity of the job didn’t really sink in until he stood in the Senate chamber.

As the names of each senator were called one by one, he felt thankful for the opportunity to serve.

“We made it. We’re here,” Welch recalled thinking.

Betts said, “It’s now time to face the music.”

Betts won the open 78^th District seat representing northwestern Bristol and Plymouth that longtime GOP lawmaker Bill Hamzy of Terryville gave up when he opted not to seek reelection.

Betts and Welch, who unseated a longtime incumbent to win the 31^st District seat, joined three Democratic veterans to make up the city’s legislative delegation. The others are state Reps. Frank Nicastro, Chris Wright and Betty Boukus.  Click here for the rest of the story.

*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Ward a possible pick for state vets commissioner

Given the possibility that Mayor Art Ward may be in line for a top state job, at least two politicians in town are making plans in case there’s a special election for mayor in the next couple of months.
Though nobody wants to admit in public that they’re eyeing the mayor’s job while Democrat Art Ward holds it, they are taking steps to run in case Ward leaves City Hall.
According to political insiders, Ward, who’s been mayor since 2007, may be tapped by Gov.-elect Dan Malloy to serve as commissioner or the state Department of Veterans Affairs.
City Republican Party chief T.J. Barnes said Tuesday the GOP “has thought about it” and talked over what it might do in response.
Ward said Monday he has heard nothing from Malloy or his staff about any potential appointment and dismissed it as a rumor.
“I haven’t been contacted by anyone,” Ward said, including Malloy.
Malloy’s staff is keeping mum about possible appointments.  Click here for story.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy is the next governor

Barring some unexpected development, Dan Malloy is the winner. But it's not official yet.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy's victory speech last night

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy in Bristol today

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Malloy is slated to shake hands at the Shop-Rite plaza on Route 6 beginning about 3:30 this afternoon. Mayor Art Ward is hanging with him, according to the Malloy campaign.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy warns against wiping out tax credits

During a campaign stop in Bristol today, Democratic gubernatorial contender Dan Malloy said he's heard that primary challenger Ned Lamont plans to call for the state to get rid of the many tax credits it has piled up over the years.
"That's probably the most dangerous thing we could probably do," Malloy said.
Malloy said repeatedly that the state has to find ways to lower the cost of doing business in Connecticut.
As best I can tell, Lamont hasn't called for tossing out tax credits yet.
But he did say in a business plan unveiled this spring that the state awards more than $300 million in corporate tax credits annually "yet we haven't created a single net new job in those 20 years" that the GOP.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy defeats Lamont

Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy defeated businessman Ned Lamont for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination by a 2-to-1 margin. It's not yet official, but soon will be.

Update at 11:19 - Malloy got 1,232 votes. Lamont collected 580.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Ward backs Malloy

Bristol Mayor Art Ward hailed Democratic gubernatorial contender Dan Malloy this week as the best choice for the state's top job.
"He's been here for us," Ward said, "and now we need Dan Malloy as governor of the state of Connecticut."
Ward said Malloy posted a tremendous record during his 14 years as the mayor Stamford, where he added jobs, cut crime and held taxes in check.
"We're going to need someone who has experienced the ground floor" in the governor's seat during the next term, Ward said, because he has the roots to tackle the state's obvious financial woes.
Ward is in his second term as mayor. He served on the City Council for 14 years before moving up the political ladder.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy favors rail, doubts busway

The proposed $573 million busway between New Britain and Hartford suffered another blow last night when Democratic gubernatorial contender Dan Malloy told Bristol Democrats he prefers rail.
"The busway leaves you guys out, which is really inexplicable," Malloy told the Democratic Town Committee.
"I want a railroad," Malloy said that would run from Waterbury to Bristol to Hartford -- and beyond.
"That's what we need," Malloy said.
Later, Malloy told me that while he likes buses, he loves railroads.
He said a rail line from Waterbury to Hartford would be a lot cheaper than the proposed busway and serve more people.
But he stopped short of saying he'd pull the plug on the busway.
Malloy, a former mayor of Stamford, said he would follow the lead of state Sen. Donald DeFronzo, a New Britain Democrat, about how best to proceed.
"I'm going to listen very closely to him," Malloy said, because DeFronzo -- a rail fan -- is extremely knowledgeable about the state's transportation needs.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy backs ESPN, tech school, jobs

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Dan Malloy told party leaders recently that things have to change in Hartford.

“The mere fact that they almost chased ESPN out of town is amazing,” Malloy said.

The tax changes that ESPN opposed have been stripped from revenue plans developed by the Democratic-controlled legislature after critics howled, but Republican Gov. Jodi Rell never backed the tax hikes that lawmakers initially sought.

But Rell came in for plenty of criticism from the Stamford mayor who’s one of at least three Democrats angling to grab the governor’s office for his party for the first time in more than two decades.

Malloy said that Rell’s plans to shutter technical schools in Bristol and Stamford are short-sighted and expressed support for Bristol’s courthouse to remain open despite the governor’s proposal to close it, too.

“She’s clearly after you,” Malloy said.

Rell’s spokesmen have repeatedly said that no town has been targeted. They said that Rell is trying to spread the pain of closing an $8 billion budget gap as fairly as possible across the entire state.

They said that Rell doesn’t want to hike taxes so there’s no alternative except to close some courthouses, schools and other services in order to fund more crucial needs.

Malloy said that Connecticut has created jobs at a slower rate than any other state in the country since 1991, an indication that GOP control of the state’s top office is falling well short of what’s needed.

Focusing on the need to create more jobs, he said, is “how the Democrats are going to win” the 2010 governor’s race.

At least two other top Democrats -- Secretary of the State Susan Bysiezwicz and former House Speaker James Amman -- are also in the running for their party’s gubernatorial backing.

Malloy said that he would like to avoid a potentially costly primary fight this time -- he lost one narrowly in 2006 to New Haven’s John DeStefano -- and vowed to live with the party’s choice for its nominee if other contenders would do the same.

Malloy, who’s stepping down as Stamford’s mayor in November after 14 years at the helm, said he’s got a better chance this time around because “nobody knew me” in 2006. He said he’s ready this time to win.

Rell, whose standing in the polls remains high, hasn’t said whether she’ll seek reelection. No other Republicans have indicated a desire to take her place.

Jim Hopkins, a Democratic activist in Bristol, said that Malloy’s wrong about bowing to ESPN.

“If they’re not going to pay their fair share, who’s going to pay?” Hopkins said.

Malloy said the state needs a more progressive income tax so that the wealthy pay more.

But, he said, the state also has to “fight for every job” and can’t afford to risk losing businesses like ESPN to cheaper locales.

“It’s easy for them to leave,” Malloy said.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com