Statement by Chairman Healy on Gov. Rell's State of the State by Chris Healy
By Chris Healy 1/7/09

HARTFORD -- Gov. Rell has provided an objective view of the challenges our government faces this year and next. Now, it is time for Democrats in the Legislature to come to the negotiating table and make fundamental changes in what kind of government needs and can afford.Gov. Rell has already gotten to work cutting the budget to close out this year's budget. Yet the Democrats have still not gotten the message. Let us hope they act quickly with our Republican leaders to deal with this year's $343 million shortfall before tackling the big job for 2009-2010.Taxes will destroy opportunity and a burden that Connecticut citizens cannot bear, either on the state or local level. Republicans in the House and Senate have already offered ways to consolidate and streamline the operations of Legislature and provide a blueprint for change. Democrats must understand the people of Connecticut cannot sustain the spending habits that put government and not people first.As Gov. Rell has said, Connecticut residents are tough and resilient. We will get through this period and emerge better and more competitive for the recovery that is sure to come.

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Rising Unemployment In State Puts Stress On Key Relief Fund
Hartford CourantNovember 27, 2008

By ERIC GERSHON Connecticut is spending more money on unemployment benefits than it's generating to pay for them and might run out of money, even if it raises taxes on businesses to the legal maximum, state officials said Wednesday.Mounting job losses among state residents, including many who worked on Wall Street, pushed the unemployment rate to 6.5 percent last month, up from 6.1 percent in September.With economists expecting the state to lose at least 62,000 jobs by mid-2010 and reach peak unemployment of 8.5 percent, officials worry that the state won't be able to keep up with claims.

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Editor's Note -- "even if it raises taxes on businesses to the legal maximum" Is this the prevailing strategy in CT? The legislature has no idea what they are doing, which is why CT is number 50 out of 50 states in terms of being business-friendly.

State Casinos Seek To Extend Drinking Hours
Associated Press 11:25 AM EST, November 26, 2008

UNCASVILLE -- Representatives of the two Indian-owned casinos in Connecticut have been talking to state officials about the possibility of extending drinking hours to keep gamblers at the slot machines and gaming tables longer.

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Editor's Note -- Is this the way they plan to solve the $385 billion deficit?

Probe Sought Against Judge Who Allegedly Used Racial Epithet
By CHRISTINE DEMPSEY | The Hartford Courant November 25, 2008

The co-chairman of the state legislature's judiciary committee wants a full review of allegations that a judge charged with drunken driving last month angrily hurled epithets at police officers during her arrest, called a black state police sergeant nigger and told officers she was a state judge.

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Editor's Note -- Why does the Courant have to appeal to the state FOI commission?