Low voter turnout can mean many things, apathy, sure. But it is also indicative of a very, very stable democracy. Nobody fears that the U.S. government is going to crash or veer dramatically in any one way from election to election. They can’t say that in France.

We’re all still waiting for you to name those Republican legislators in Jodi Rells corner.

I was actually more pleased with Rells idea of increasing the income tax to increase the amount of state aid to education and decrease our reliance on the Property tax to fund it than I am with the Dems Budget proposal.

I’m of the opinion the budget deal that is finally made with have these 3 major components

1) a progressive income tax (not as progressive as the Dems are proposing but pretty close)

2)A significant increase in the states portion of Education funding( The allocation will be much closer to Rells plan than the Democratic plan)

3)An incremental move toward Universal Healthcare coverage most likely covering all of Cts Children.

I think this is the most likely scenerio and one all of those with a say can and will live with.

After this deal is made the table wil be set for the big debate on a single payor universal health care debate for the next legislative session.

PS-I’m also of the opinion the Gov. WILL SIGN the Same Sex Marriage bill when all is said and done simply because she knows it’s the right thing to do.

If this is the top issue for the Dems., why didn’t they run on it last fall? Why isn’t it House Bill Number One? Where are the press conferences? Letters to the editor? Op-eds? Calls to talk radio? Meetings with gay rights lobbyists?

Where?

There aren’t any. Because it’s not a top Democratic issue. Case closed.

Do Tell us which Republican Legislators back our Governors plan to raise the income tax and bust the cap on the budget to the tune of 3+ billion in order to improve funding for education.

If you can name 2(with links) who have publicly supported her plan you win

Say WHAT????

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-perezinvest-0423,0,4669207.story?coll=hc-headlines-home

I spoke with someone who met with the Governor last week. She was candid enough to say “I’ve no Republican freinds left in the Ct Legislature”.

Face Facts,Jodi Rell has.

Of course, the people who complain about Lieberman will always be on the borderline of discussing Iraq. The main reason for most people who hate Lieberman to hate him is specifically Iraq. Perhaps you should also consider a separate forum just for Lieberman — because, for example, anyone who complains about Lieberman will probably get blasted by me and some others … and Iraq will soon be a discussion item.

GC — an idea… how about setting up a ‘CTIraqViewpoints’ forum for CTKeith and others who mostly enjoy posting on that subject?

I can’t speak for others — I trun to this sight for comments on CT.

I’m not downplaying the war in Iraq — I follow it greatly and am troubled by it like all others. I come here sometimes as a distraction from global events.

THE IRAQ WAR IS LOST

http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2007/04/22/ap/headlines/d8oltm280.txt

It seems from news reports surrounding budget referenda (and my own experience with them) that they are not often successful on the first try, at least not lately. But perhaps only those that don’t pass are ever really reported on.

Either way, it’s a system I’m glad Enfield doesn’t have, for a number of different reasons.

As far as I know, the state does no such tracking. So their s/s may be the most useful way of tracking “statewide local budget issues” around.

I gotta run, but i’ll try to find and email you their contact email.

As for town budget referendums – East Hartford has a historic 1st on May 1st, but it has many unusual twists: it is only an accept or unaccept vote, there must be a 20% of the last election turnout to pass, and then the caviate: the Town Council only has to reduce the budget by 1 cent by Town Charter…..why spend the money?