http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=62dd3603-20a1-4925-ad77-26a1c6e2d045

I find the quote from Lisa Moody most interesting

”… We have a parcel in our midst (on the shoreline I’m told) that we’re selling on the cheap,” M. Lisa Moody, the governor’s chief of staff, wrote in a Nov. 17 e-mail The Day obtained through a Freedom of Information request.“Here’s a silly idea - let’s keep it for future generations as a natural area - no paved parking lots, no buildings or facilities - just, God forbid, a pristine natural setting on the water. Want to talk about responsible growth (or responsible ungrowth, in this case). That’s a legacy item.”

Note the “no buildings” when the buildings on the property are National Landmarks that are deteriorating while under state control.  Even the insufficient funds proposed by Governor Rell in her budget adjustments did not pass the legislature so the buildings will continue to deteriorate and access to the property will still be denied to the public.  So the Governor’s legacy is liable to be decaying buildings and a public safety hazard, not beautiful beach property.  A similar outcome may also occur in Preston at the old Norwich Hospital Property, although there is a local Ad Hoc Committee working to prevent that from happening.  But then the Governor’s staff could step in at the last minute and squash that pending deal as well.  I am still amazed that the developer chosen more than seven years ago is still willing to remain engaged in hopes that he will be able to improve the property and provide the public access most folks want at the Seaside.

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http://www.norwichbulletin.com/opinions/x1902434788/RAY-HACKETT-Public-financing-for-campaigns-gives-few-results

After pointing out that most of the incumbents are or have raised sufficient cash to tap into the public financing, Mr. Hackett scans the political horizon and sees only two challengers.  Since the various nominating conventions are in the next two weeks, it certainly is possible that challengers will emerge for more of the State House and Senate seats.  Otherwise the local campaign season will be very dull (I suspect that most incumbents would like it to stay that way).

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http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=4d54873a-49bf-4350-acb6-fc3352032897

and the Norwich Bulletin

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x1946820969/GOP-nominates-candidate-to-challenge-Courtney

The DAY notes that Courtney has a significent advantage in campaign funds and the BULLETIN notes that the Courtney campaign rebuts the claims of the Republicans that Joe has been a do nothing Congressman.

Both candidates are articulate and I am looking forward to some lively debates as the campaign season develops.

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“I just want to report that this morning I personally checked John McCain’s bearings. He has not lost any of them. They are all in really great shape.”

Joe Lieberman, responding to Barack Obama’s assertion that McCain had “lost his bearings.”

…Also, any giggling about this quote is entirely your own doing, I’m not encouraging that sort of thinking one bit.

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“Solid Democratic” is the most favorable rating Cook gives for a seat leaning Democratic–meaning we’re not going to see much drama around here this fall. What changed has to be Sean Sullivan’s filing mishap, which in addition to his high burn rate and low fundraising totals overall make this a very, very tough race for him. The few attacks he’s launched at Courtney have fallen short of the mark.

Courtney, on the other hand, has been working on issues near and dear to the district’s heart: like increasing sub production. According to a release sent out by his office yesterday, Courtney is advancing an amendment to the defense budget authorization seeking funds to move the increased sub production up to 2010, instead of waiting until 2011. The amendment was successful in the Seapower Subcommittee yesterday. So he’s in good shape to win in New London County, which is where Rep. Rob Simmons had much of his strength.

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The difference between what I believe and what they have offered and what we have been talking about (is that) many people do not believe the early retirement plan really saves money in the long run. […] They believe that in years past when we’ve done this what has happened is we end up having to hire people back. Yes, at a lower salary, but in many cases you end up hiring some of the state employees (back) because of the loss in intelligence and work habits that you get.
[…]
Also … their proposal was to shrink the workforce and take the savings from that to spend more money to meet what some of the requests were in the budget this year. […] I would much rather have that than layoffs any day. But I would rather look at it to save money, not to take the money and spend it somewhere else. (Choiniere)

This makes me wonder if there was any communication at all between the GOP leadership and the governor’s office before the Republican budget proposals were released. The problems that Rell has with her own party are not going to get any better because of this.

Source
Choiniere, Paul. “Gov. Rell explains her rejection of Republican budget plan.” The Day 9 May, 2008.

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This session, in the end, was more about what didn’t make it to a vote than what actually passed.

Some of the bills left on the table died because of a sudden budget deficit, and a deal with the governor to continue last year’s budget unaltered. Others, like paid sick days and ethics reform, died because of a lack of votes, a lack of time, and a lack of political will. Ethics reform may come up at an upcoming special session (the purpose of which is to renew the real estate conveyance tax, a major source of revenue), although I’m not holding my breath. Capitol Watch has detected a pattern concerning ethics reform, and there’s no reason to think anything is going to change now.

We may see a special session or two this summer, and that will be it for the 2007-2008 General Assembly. Now it’s up to voters to figure out, through primaries or the general election, if they want to keep the same crew for 2009-2010.

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Today, Anthony Nania formally informed the Connecticut Republican Party that he is withdrawing for the Fifth Congressional race. Mr. Nania has also told us he intends to support our nominee, State Sen. David Cappiello, during the campaign, and after his recuperation from major orthopedic surgery.

Said Cappiello:

Tony Nania is a good man who waged a respectful campaign. I want to thank him for his long service to our Party, and for his willingness to be part of our great democratic process as a candidate for Congress. I wish him all the best, and most importantly a speedy recovery.

Before this came up Nania’s campaign had badly lagged behind Cappiello’s in fundraising. The nominating convention for the 5th District is scheduled for this Saturday.

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A bill getting rid of the ban on paid firefighters volunteering as firefighters in their towns also passed.

Gov. Rell knocked off early, forgoing the usual end-of-session speech.

More coverage of the last day of the session here.

Speaker Amann thinks the legislature did well (at least in regards to the freedom to tailgate is concerned). What do you think?

Check out the list of bills passed to see what’s headed for the governor’s desk.

Update: 6:55am - Both ethics reform and paid sick days died without a vote last night.

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A week after falling short in the race for House majority leader, Rep. Michael A. Christ, D-East Hartford, told his colleagues this morning he would not be returning next year.
[…]
Rep. Chris Stone, D-East Hartford, who also is leaving the House at the conclusion of this term, offered his goodbyes, an election-year ritual on the last day of the legislative session.

Also leaving their posts:

Speaker James Amann (D)
Rep. Leonard Greene (R)
Rep. Michael Caron (R)
Rep. Ruth Fahrbach (R)
Rep. Art Feltman (D)
Rep. Claudia “Dolly” Powers (R)
Rep. Felipe Reinoso (D)
Rep. Kevin Witkos (R) (actually running for state senate)
Rep. Toni Boucher (R) (also running for state senate)
Rep. Christel Trugila (D)
Rep. John Ryan (R)

Sen. Judith Freedman (R)
Sen. Thomas Herlihy (R)
Sen. David Cappiello (R)
Sen. William Nickerson (R)

I’m sure I missed a few…
Updated - Added Reps. Christel Truglia (D) and John Ryan (R) to the list.

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