This appeared in the Hour:
Norwalk loses under Democrats’ budget plan

The reluctance by the Democrats to adjust next year’s budget despite a looming deficit will not only create massive fiscal problems for the state of Connecticut, but cost the City of Norwalk dearly. Republicans in the House and Senate have offered the only balanced budget before the legislature and we have identified sensible ways to fund critical programs that we all agree are worthwhile, from new criminal justice reforms to vital reading programs for our children.

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Minutes ago House SPeak Jim Amann-D Milford announced his retirement. From the Courant:

Amann told only a handful of aides at about 11:15 a.m., and some of those in the House chamber were unaware of the upcoming announcement when Amann gaveled the chamber to silence.

Amann, a Milford Democrat, noted that legislators would have various announcements at the start of the day before adding, “I also have an announcement myself.”

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This is one of those right problem to solve wrong solution proposed. There’s a problem in our criminal justice system right now, too many prisoners. There’s a perception that violent criminals get back on the street far too easily. The reality is that we tend to lock up many people who shouldn’t be and don’t keep the criminals who should be locked up for enough time.

The popularity of 3 strikes laws is something only political flunkies could love. It sounds like its tough on crime, which we all know plays out so well in the political world.  When you look at the states that have them though, the problems remain. Overcrowded prisons, violent criminals still getting paroled and adding new crimes to their repertoire and the public still outraged.

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Oh the irony of this Bruce Morris statement; “My challenge whenever we talk about criminal justice reform is that we need to understand that it’s very likely that these people were undereducated or uneducated and, at the time of their offense, they were either unemployed or underemployed.” Morris, who does not hold a college degree, was speaking about why he voted against the criminal reform bill that focused on home-invasions and burglaries.

From the Hour:

“There are a number of proposals in this bill that I know that, long term, will help to keep our state safe and that will work toward a more efficient government,” said state Sen. Bob Duff, D-25, majority whip.

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A public hearing was held at NCC yesterday by the Commission on the Status of Women.

For almost two hours, women from the area detailed their personal lives to the panel, asking for policy changes that would make it easier to survive in Fairfield County.

State Reps. Toni Boucher, R-143, and Christopher Perone, D-137, state Sen. Bob Duff, D-25, majority whip, and six Norwalk Common councilmen joined members of the commission on the panel.

It was one of three public hearings the commission plans to transcribe and send to state policymakers. A previous hearing was held in Enfield, and another one is scheduled at the University of Connecticut in February.

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Nothing riles me more than the continued push towards the infantalism of society. Enough with the reactionary laws bent on shifting responsibility and accountability from individuals to the nebulous governmental behavior police. The Hour leads with the latest focus, on of all things, teen driving. Puh-lease. Bad drivers know no age, and as long as people are encouraged to view a car as a mobile entertainment center instead of merely transportation.

Those polled in the survey conducted by Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s Task Force on Teen Driving supported strengthening teen driving laws, toughening penalties for violations and increasing educational requirements for young drivers under 18-years-old.

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I’ll have to give this more thought later on, but the theme coming out of this announcement is that a bipartisan attempt to stem deficiencies in the parole system is gaining momentum. A special session is being planned for the legislature to vote on the reforms. From the Courant:

The Cheshire tragedy, she said, “took away from us our confidence in the criminal justice system” and “exposed the flaws” in the system.

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With the statement “being speaker isn’t forever,” Jim Amann, House Speaker and Milford Democrat has told the Journal Inquirer that he plans to form a committee to explore a 2010 gubernatorial campaign. This would add him to the Democratic mix that includes AG Dick Blumenthal (who’s always in the mix), Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, State Senate President Don Williams, Mayors John DeStefano and Dan Malloy.

According to the Jounral Inquirer:

The Milford Democrat confirmed Friday that next month he likely will form a committee to explore a 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

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Once convicted to a death sentence, a convict has the right to appeal. But the ability to introduce DNA evidence has been somewhat of an obstacle. Larry Cafero-R, House Minority Leader, proposed a bill that would skip the multiple part hearing to establish whether DNA evidence could be introduced on appeals. State Senator Andrew McDonald-D and State Rep Mike Lawler-D are concerned that this would unfairly speed up executions.

The current law requires appellate court hearings in which convicts must prove the evidence would alter a previous verdict, was not previously tested, is still available for testing and isn’t simply a ruse to delay execution.

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John T. McCarthy, a retired diplomat who has made Woodbury his permanent home since 1996, is running for the Connecticut State Senate seat vacated today by the resignation of Lou DeLuca.

McCarthy worked for the State Department for over thirty years - primarily in Lebanon and Tunisia - and still does consulting work for the State Department; he has also served as Chairman of the International Save the Children Alliance.

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