(Note: this is a response from Lt. Governor Fedele to comments posted in this post from him last week. –GC)
As Genghis stated earlier, my office has offered to find some time for me to live blog with the community. We will keep you updated as to when that will occur. And for those who questioned my ability to do so during work hours, after double checking with legal counsel, since it is not campaign-related in nature, I will be using my state computer and doing it on state time.
As far as my column being viewed as a “rose garden post,” I’m truly disappointed that it was viewed that way by some. It was meant to be an update from the inside. Everything is in flux so I’m unable to be more specific and I picked topics that are of the most interest to people. It’s also meant to be an open line of communication with a group who is obviously politically knowledgeable and might be interested in building a relationship with a new voice from the Republican point of view.
I’m happy to answer some of the questions posed—my responses are below. I will answer honestly although you may not agree with what I write—either factually or ideologically. That’s fine. I respect all opinions posted and I ask the same of you.
Now, universal healthcare—a complicated issue with a short answer: it’s far too expensive for the state to take over. Ninety-four percent of state residents have some form of health care coverage—through employers, privately or state programs. The Democrat proposal puts the price tag at $17 billion. We cannot afford that to solve a 6% problem.
Health care is expensive. It is a service that needs to be purchased—that being said, we do need to work on containing costs to make it as affordable as possible for as many people as possible. However, consumers need to do their part through healthy lifestyle and eating choices.
I need to research the Fort Trumbull question—I will try to have an answer by the time I set up the live blog.
GAAP accounting methods: Yes, I support it. If we didn’t use that method, we would be unable to carry $36 billion in unfunded liability and would have to address the problem.
Unfunded liability: I’m very concerned with this—but this problem did not occur overnight. We need to start dealing with this now or its impact will be felt for generations to come. In the business world, you would be out of businesses with such a liability.
Utility rates: I agree with everyone—they are too high. With the legislature deregulating energy companies several years ago (at consumer demand) and no competition coming into the state, this is the result. Retrofitting is expensive to companies and no one wants the financial burden of building a new power plant. Hopefully policy can be developed that will limit price increases.
Zone pricing: there has been alot said on both sides of the argument. I say let’s try it and see if it works. If not, then we can revisit the issue. That’s one of two things the state can do—the other is to cap the gross receipt tax on gas at $1.75 per gallon. This would probably save the consumers 10-15 cents per gallon. The drawback is, during budget time, as with all the other tax cuts in Governor Rell’s budget, trying to convince 187 legislators to support it.
Thank you again to Genghis and the community for reading my column. I look forward to our liveblog time and answering more of your questions. Genghis will let you know when that is set.
24 responses so far ↓
Two points LG: 1) I have never seen the 94% number for insured in the state of CT; always something like 85%, which still isn’t bad; 2) the power producers/energy generators were willing to pump money into upgrading existing plants if the DPUC gave them the long term contracts but the DPUC chose not to do that so I am not sure the legislature ( and guv who signed the legislation BTW) were in the wrong; and just for good measure 3) why aren’t any of you up there talking about how to do things better with less money?
And why hasn’t the governor taken a more proactive role in cleaning up the CT state police by getting rid of the problem brass instead of promoting them?. From this article it looks like they have been more interested in harrassing the whistleblower – a sergeant – and avoiding a federal lawsuit, which they were just served with anyway.
http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ctretaliate0510.artmay10,0,295716.story?coll=hc-headlines-local
Lieut. Governor–
Unfortunately you skipped my question as to where you stand on gay rights. Were you for CT’s historic civil union legislation? And where do you stand on gay marriage?
Plus, do you think there is a chance that Governor Rell will change her mind, and not veto, but sign the gay marriage bill if it wins in the Statehouse?
Thanks. These are big moral questions for Connecticut, and I presume your failure to respond was merely an oversight, and not a dodge.
TBCT,
That’s a good question to ask in the liveblog–which should hopefully happen in the next week or so, if all goes well.
Heck Genghis, do you think he’ll answer it? For all the posturing Fedele is just another politician. It’s not like gay rights is my generation’s civil rights issue…
I don’t know. But it’s absolutely worth asking.
Justice Sullivan has recused himself from the gay marriage case after having been placed onto it last week:
http://www.courant.com/news/local/hcu-sullivan-samesex-0510,0,6788370.story?coll=hc-headlines-home
True Blue…My prediction is if the Democrats pass Gay Marriage, the Governor will change her position and sign the bill. Right now, it’s easy to threaten with a veto and hope it never makes it to her desk. JMHO
Sandy–
The Governor at a press conference yesterday all but said she’d veto a gay marriage bill.
I believe she would — this year, anyway. It would be consistent with her remarks when she signed civil union and would help shore up her base — miffed at the tax increase proposals, etc. and reflected in the latest Q Poll.
Ct Dude
The Governor is more concerned with her legacy than her base and besides everybody knows she is not running again so why would she care about her base?
History would treat her more favorably if she supported equal rights for all people. Her base didn’t like civil unions but her support helped to swing a lot of progressives to her side.
I still think (and hope) she will support the bill if it comes to her desk. Don’t forget, she likes to change her mind without notice.
Yeah, well I bet she vetoes gay marriage. Maybe next year or two, but it ain’t happening this year.
Take it to the bank.
Sorry to break the news to ya, Sandy.
Sandy – I’ve been saying the same thing for months – my bet is that all of her comments regarding vetoing a gay marriage bill is posturing to convince the legislature not to send her one (last week’s presser included)….
I’m with CT Dude. Veto away! It’s in her eyes and the tone of her voice. I just don’t think she believes in it.
Damn, gay people getting married. What comes next, the inter-mingling of the races?
Whoops, the FIC says polygamy, polyamory, and at some point we can marry our dogs!
BTW, the FIC pays Brian Brown $100,000+/year, (to make CT Republicans out to be religious wingnuts), — and it doesn’t get mentioned here?
What’s up with that?
You just too care of that, TBC.
I wish that the Democrats would start to focus on important issues. Hardly any legislation has passed this year, there’s only about one month left, and these moveon.org-types keep focusing on gay marriage. Get something done about energy costs and eminent domain. And pass the Republican budget. Stop talking about unimportant issues like gay marriage.
LG — thanks for taking the time to communicate with us! If only the 187 members of the General Assembly were like you, we’d have tons of people begging to move to Connecticut instead of having so many of the current residents focus on maps of North Carolina and South Carolina.
I hope they address a few of the important issues…. and thank GOD they adjourn in a month before they can inflict much more damage.
Is it legal to thank God on this website? You’re getting pretty wild and crazy, One if.
Thank God the FIC crowd has little influence in CT Politics> If they did, they’d most certainly give God a bad name!
We can debate who pays how much in taxes till the cows come home, but the GOP social agenda in CT deserves the cold shoulder…..
TBC–
Just move to Mass if you want to get married that badly.
Thanks, LG, for the follow-up!
I agree, that utility rates are a huge concern. My small house (not electric heat) has gone from $75/month on average to $160-180!! I have changed to flourescent lights, turned off the outside lighting – done my part to conserve.
Too bad the House Chairman Steve Fontana has devoted so much time and energy (haha) to banning elephant training tools. That’s a big issue here in CT — glad he is tackling that head on. NOT!
There was supposed to be a special session last fall, then this was going to be item number one in January…. here we are in mid-May, a month before adjournment and Fontana and his senate counterpart cant’t come to an agreement.
I want to know one thing — as do my neighbors. Steve, what are you doing to lower my energy costs??
Good point, One if….
The democrats in Hartford have been doing alot of talking, not just on energy….
Where are they on eminant domain?
And Jimmy Amann says that they won’t let this opportunity to go by to raise taxes, irregardless of the surplus….
Truly amazing.
The Dems could care less about eminent domain changes …
It was not one of their priority items as per January … and they’ve done nothing about their priority items …
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