Tagged: CT House

Union Giveaways Blasted By Cafero

from a press release:

House Republican Leader Cafero Blasts Union ‘Giveaways’ as Absurd

Calls for Full Audit of Deal to Find Cost Savings

HARTFORD –  House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., today blasted the overly generous deal Gov. Malloy negotiated with state unions as a slap to taxpayers and predicted private sector workers will be outraged when they learn the details.

“Union leaders took Gov. Malloy and taxpayers who must pay for government employees’ salaries and benefits to the cleaners,’’ Cafero said. “Ironclad four-year guaranteed employment, extending the gold-plated health and pension plan for five more years and a minimum of nine percent pay hikes are no concessions. There is not even a wage freeze because no furlough days were included in this deal.’’

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Duff and Cafero Work on Keeping DCF in Norwalk

from a press release:

Hartford – State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Representative Lawrence Cafero (R-Norwalk) today issued the following statement on the future of the Norwalk Department of Children and Families (DCF) office after meeting with Commissioner Joette Katz:

“Earlier this week, we met with Commissioner Katz to discuss the fate of the Norwalk DCF office. This past December, the department announced that the Norwalk office would be merged with operations in Bridgeport in the second-half of 2011—a cause for serious concern not only over how the local caseload would be managed but also about how agency functions in regards to family and youth issues in Norwalk and neighboring communities would be impacted.

“”We had a meaningful exchange of ideas at our meeting with Commissioner Katz, and we are encouraged by the commitment she displayed toward making sure our concerns are realized. We are also extremely pleased to report that the Commissioner offered her assurance that DCF will continue to have a presence in Norwalk.

We fully recognize and support efforts to reduce cost and find efficiencies in DCF operations. However, closing this office completely would not be good the children and families, and would not be good for DCF. While operations may be moved to a different location, we’re thankful for the commissioner’s honest assessment of the situation and her commitment to maintain that Norwalk presence.

“We appreciate Commissioner Katz taking the time to meet with us, and we will continue to work with her and her department to find solutions that save money while maintaining critical services for children in Norwalk.”

It’s The Budget Bob and Larry

Normally state Senator Bob Duff and house Minority Leader Larry Cafero are focused on pragmatic issues like streamlining government and fighting to extract dollars out of Hartford for Norwalk. But Rick Green wrote a nice article  about the blatant lack of focus up in Hartford that’s worth a read:

While the mayors of our big cities tell me they are facing elimination of basic services, such as schoolteachers, our legislature spends hours on end discussing whether liquor stores should be open on Sunday. At least they are not wasting time on whether to regulate hookah lounges. Oh wait, they are.

Are we really rethinking how much government can do? If so I’m not sure how establishing Ronald Reagan Day, French Canadian American Day, a Connecticut Beer Trail or a State Song of Remembrance has become someone’s legislative priority.

I try not to use plastic bags, but is now the moment to tax them? I feel the same about Rep. Diana Urban’s bills regulating chicken cages and Sen. Paul Doyle’s campaign to establish a “State Waltz.”


And yes, I have a deep appreciation for the practical logic behind Sen. John Kissel’s bill that would “ensure the normal distribution of alcoholic liquor during emergencies.”

But isn’t it my responsibility to stock the fridge with beer before the next snow emergency?

Among the 38 pieces of legislation that Sen. Michael A. McLachlan has introduced are curriculum directives to local schools telling them what they should teach, a call for a federal constitutional convention and an endorsement of the Electoral College system “as the best way to elect the president of the United States.” (Even with 9 percent unemployment, somebody is still thinking about Bush vs. Gore!)

The Danbury Republican has also introduced the so-called “birther” bill, requiring presidential and vice presidential candidates to present an “original birth certificate” to Connecticut’s secretary of the state, as well as a bill banning the “rationing” of health care. McLachlan’s bill would also prohibit requiring insured persons to participate in end-of-life counseling, a.k.a. “death panels.”

Then in my inbox is a press release from them stating:

LAWMAKERS TO DETAIL PROPOSED CRACKDOWN ON FAKE BEHAVIORAL THERAPISTS

This bipartisan coalition will detail new legislation to help protect vulnerable children and parents from individuals who misrepresent their qualifications as autism behavioral analysts…

Really? You mean that the employment practices of local school systems are incapable of checking credentials of employees? This is all about Fay Ruotolo’s inability to run the Norwalk Public Schools HR department Bob and Larry. To create “Stacey Lore” legislation when basic job accountability is the root cause is just a waste of your focus. Try whittling down that $3.7 billion dollar deficit. Yes, special ed issue parents are vocal voters, but pandering is pandering.

Perone To Serve as Deputy Majority Leader

from a press release:

REP. PERONE APPOINTED DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER

State Representative Chris Perone (D-Norwalk) has been appointed to serve as Deputy Majority Leader in the Connecticut House of Representatives.

The appointment was made by incoming House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden).  The Deputy Majority Leader is responsible for aiding the Majority Leader in assisting with the development of policy, reviewing critical legislation, and developing the majority party’s agenda.

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Bruce Morris Lands Leadership Roles

from a press release:

REP. MORRIS ELEVATED IN LEADERSHIP AND NAMED VICE CHAIRMAN OF HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) has selected Rep. Bruce V. Morris (D-Norwalk) to serve as vice chairman of the Human Services Committee. Morris has also been chosen to be Assistant Majority Whip, a key leadership position in the House. Morris currently is Assistant Majority Leader.

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Guest View: Public Employee Pensions Need Legislative Action

By Susan Wallerstein

A recent New York Times article (7/21/10) described how Maine is revisiting its longstanding practice of funding public employees’ pensions exclusively through a state retirement system.  Public sector employees, including teachers in Connecticut and 13 other states, do not currently participate in the federal Social Security program.  Recent articles about deferred retirement option plans (DROP) describe the benefits of allowing area public safety employees who retire to be re-hired in the same positions.  Policymakers explain that these plans typically generate savings for participating towns and cities while allowing them to retain highly qualified individuals.

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Cafero Named Legislator of the Year

Larry Cafero is one of the few legislators that get why it’s important to not just be a voice of opposition as a minority party leader, but that you have to present solutions not just opposition. As minority leader he consistently outmaneuvers the leaden Senate Majority Leader Don Williams in presenting the issue to the public. It’s nice to see him recognized for some of his work.

from a press release:

American Legion Names Rep. Cafero Legislator of the Year

Rocky Hill – The American Legion Department of Connecticut has named Norwalk State Rep. Lawrence F. Cafero Jr. Legislator of the Year for his commitment to members of the military and their families at its 92nd annual convention at the Marriott Hotel.

Cafero was cited for his contribution to the interests of all service members and for going “above and beyond the call of duty,’’ for veterans and their families. He was introduced by American Legion official John Monahan.

Cafero told the audience, “This award means more to me than any other I have ever received in my life.’’ Cafero said society must never forgot the sacrifice and commitment that veterans have made for their country and that too often we lose track of the struggles that they have endured.

“From someone who did not serve, to those who did…thank you, thank you thank you,’’ Cafero told the crowd. Numerous past commanders were also honored for their service to the organization during the convention.

Cafero has consistently supported veterans’ issues over the years and has enlisted public recognition of veterans and their families. Cafero spearheaded the drive to exempt 50 percent of veterans’ pensions from state income taxes. He also helped dedicate a commemorative Support our Troops Connecticut license plate and exempt Gold Star families from paying additional fees for their license plates.

Rell and Democrats Reach Budget Deal

“Amazing” says State Rep John Geragosian -D New Brittain.

“We were better off when they were playing solitaire,” says Turfgrrl.

“We shouldn’t be in the airport business,” says House Minority leader Larry Cafero.

So what are they doing up in Hartford? Well they, and by they I mean everyone in Hartford but the House and Senate Republicans, have bought into the idea that today’s spending can be put on a credit card for tomorrow’s residents to pay. They call it Economic Recovery Revenue Bonds. I call it doubling down on a losing hand.

“What I tell people is that I’m not very good with finances, but we balanced the budget with some very difficult choices,” Sen.Edith G. Prague, D-Columbia, said. “We did our best. Hopefully things will get a little better.”

What they are essentially doing is borrowing 1.3 billion, and paying out of future revenues 180 million a year for 10 years. They are getting around the constitutional balanced budget amendment by actually issuing the bonds next fiscal year, when they hope the 1.3 billion really just needs to be 1 billion. Or something like that.

Here’s the problem:

Here’s the solution:

Cafero Says Rell, Democrats In Denial

Larry Cafero has given up on negotiations with Democratic leaders on the subject of the State budget. According to a Ken Dixon CT Post report:
Larry Cafero has given up on negotiations with Democratic leaders on the subject of the State budget. According to a Ken Dixon CT Post report:

Minority Republicans, predicting that an imminent budget deal between Gov. M. Jodi Rell and legislative Democrats will not contain enough spending cuts, abandoned bipartisan negotiations on Saturday.

The Republicans said they are afraid that the deal will fail to address the state’s looming multi-billion-dollar deficit.

Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden, called the GOP protest “unfortunate,” but he welcomed their input if they want to rejoin talks.

Rell’s office said Saturday that a negotiated restructuring of the $19-billion budget scheduled to begin July 1 has not been reached.

House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk, and Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield, said during a mid-afternoon news conference that it became plain to them Friday night that their input was being ignored by the Republican governor and majority leaders.

“The macaroni’s cooked,” Cafero said in a news conference outside the House chamber, backed by dozens of House and Senate Republicans. He said he participated briefly in a bipartisan meeting Friday night, but walked out around 9:15, when it became clear that GOP concerns were not part of the talks.

“I’m disappointed in the product,” McKinney said.

“I’ve known all along that the governor is faced with dealing with a Democratic majority that has a veto-proof majority, a Democratic majority who in many budget negotiations have sat there with their hands folded, unwilling to move.”

The GOP leaders said they will not participate in further negotiations because their ideas for further union concessions; privatization of state services; and a reduction in the 52,000-member state government workforce, have been ignored.

“We put forth all of our ideas understanding that they would be discussed, picked and choosed from and unfortunately we found out that’s not going to be the case,” Cafero said. “The governor and the Democrats are on the precipice of a deal.”

He charged that the pending agreement does not include major attempts to address multi-billion-dollar deficits projected in the fiscal year that starts July 1, 2011.

McKinney said recent news of an increase in revenue may have hurt the cause of fiscal austerity.

“Unfortunately, I believe that news of having some extra revenue has given license for the people who are in charge not to engage in or try to seek and find real structural reform for our budget, for how we spend money and how we do business,” McKinney said.

“It appears that the will of the majority is now to simply put a Band-Aid on the problem and not to try to seek and fix the problem.”

House Passes Cadmium Ban

from a press release:

REP PERONE: CT HOUSE PASSES BAN OF CADMIUM IN CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS

State Representatives Chris Perone (D-Norwalk)announced thatthe Connecticut House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation that willprohibit the sale, manufacturing, and distribution of children’s jewelry that contains cadmium.

Connecticutcurrently bans packaging and packaging components that use cadmium from being sold or used for promotional purposes. However, the law is silent when it comes to using the same chemical in the actual products. Today’s bill (HB 5314) specifically bans cadmium in jewelry made for children under age 12.

“Cadmium is a known cancer causing agent and it is completely unacceptable to allow children to be exposed to this highly toxic metal” said Rep. Perone. “Under current law, the use of cadmium in packaging is banned. Yet we permit the sale of cheap costume jewelry loaded with cadmium to be sold to our children. Today we changed that law and our children are safer because of it.”

Cadmium is a metal used in electroplating, pigments, and plastic that can have adverse health impacts in humans, especially children. It is currently ranked seventh on the U.S. Department of Public Health and Human Services priority list of 275 hazardous substances. It is a known carcinogen and has been shown to cause developmental problems in young children. The Chairwoman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently advised parents not to allow young children to be given or to play with cheap metal jewelry due to concerns over cadmium.

In the past year, there have been a number of incidents where children’s jewelry has been recalled due to their high levels of cadmium, including Wal-Mart’s January recall of 55,000 children’s necklaces made inChina.

“We applaud the House for passing health-protective limits on cadmium in children’s jewelry,” said Sarah Uhl, Coordinator of the Coalition for a Safe & Healthy CT. “We urge the Senate to approve this bill and keep our state at the forefront of efforts to move away from known toxic hazards and toward protecting future generations from serious and unnecessary harm.”

Several other states have moved in the direction of banning or limiting use of the substance, includingWashingtonandCalifornia.The ban of cadmium has also been taken up in the legislatures of the following states:Florida,Illinois,Minnesota,Mississippi,New Jersey, andNew York. The bill now goes to the State Senate for consideration.