"Absolutely, derelict," says a Republican state representative.    "If we were a car company, we'd be asking for a government bailout," adds a counterpart from across the aisle.
     Three days into a new fiscal year and Connecticut does not have a new state budget.   The main sticking point?    The Democrats want to raise taxes and increase fees.    The Republicans and Governor want to hold the line on taxes and raise fees.    If only the storyline were that cut-and-dried.     As is usually the case, it runs deeper.
     On January 3, at the start of the new legislative session, State Rep. Selim Noujaim, R-Waterbury, predicted we would not have a new spending plan by July 1.   And at the time, he said, it would probably be August, before we get one.
     When asked if the legislature has been derelict in its duties, by not producing a budget by the deadline, Rep. Noujaim answered affirmatively, "Absolutely derelict.    We just waste time, debating meaningless, feel good bills.    Here we are, near the end of the session, with no budget, debating for hours on whether the United States flag, flown from public buildings should be made in the USA.
     "There is nobody more proud of my country and 'made in the USA' than me, but we have no budget and we are debating this issue?    What are we going to do, hire people to inspect flags on public buildings, to determine where they were manufactured?"
     Rep. John "Corky" Mazurek, D-Wolcott, has also shown some courage.   Looking to cut the budget, he has chosen to take on his own party by proposing that $61M in taxpayers' money, earmarked to finance the campaigns of candidates, running for state office, be removed.    
     Created two years ago with the fancy public relations name of the "Citizens' Election Program," ostensibly to take the special interest groups out of politics and encourage new candidates to run for office, the program -  according to a study by the public policy think tank, the Yankee Institute - has served as a goldmine for incumbents, who can now spend even less time, raising campaign dollars, because taxpayers are footing the bill.       In 2008, 95.7 percent of incumbents were reelected.    Futhermore, the special interests have circumvented the bill, through ads and mailers, urging people to vote for a particular candidate, even though that candidate hasn't endorsed the ads.
     "Time is running out.   Our options are limited.   CEP is the easiest cut in the world, and my amendment would have kept the lobbyists out.    How can we be canceling a Lifestar Helicopter, increasing fares on public transportation,  raising fees and taxes, and then asking the public to pay for our campaigns?" added Rep. Mazurek.  
     Republicans in both chambers agree with the Wolcott representative, however, most Democrats and Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell, support CEP.
     "We were elected to make hard choices.    Our constituents expect it," said Rep. Mazurek.  
     Good luck, because the other part of the equation happens to be the state public employee unions, which control the Democrats in the legislature hook, line and sinker.    The majority party passed on numerous opportunities to bring spending under control, because it would have involved dealing with the unions.    Instead, they threw the problem into the Republican governor's lap.    Thinking about reelection, and knowing that taking on the unions could be her political death knell Rell took the path of least resistance, "negotiating" a sweetheart arrangement with the unions.    In exchange for some concessions, the governor promised no layoffs of state employees, until at least July 2011.    Coincidentally, that's eight months after the election.
     When Rep. Mazurek was asked, if the state is nearly bankrupt, he answered, "Our liabilities far exceed not only a projected eight or nine billion dollar deficit, we're on the hook for 53 billion dollars in public employee health care and retirement.   If we were a car company, we'd be there, asking for a bailout."
     Therefore, although the governor talks like a fiscal conservative, during this budget stalemate, her support for CEP and political expedient deal with the unions, have helped place Connecticut in a budget mess, that has provided the Democrats the perfect fodder to lobby for tax hikes.    This can only lead to more negotiating sessions at the governor's mansion.   Food and utilities provided at taxpayers' expense.
 

    It is now day 46 of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's investigation into the price spike on gasoline.    Meanwhile, the price per gallon is much higher than it was, when the investigation started and is likely to stay there, despite a recent stabilization.
    In his May 11 press release, headlined "Attorney General To Seek Federal, Multistate Investigations Of Recent Gasoline Price Spike,"  Blumenthal is quoted as saying, "Questions about the gasoline market are serious and substantial, meriting searching scrutiny and investigation."    He goes on to shower the Obama administration with praise, claiming there is an indication the Justice Department, under this administration, will enforce antitrust regulations.    Blumenthal is also quick to criticize the Bush administration by not going after "Big Oil."
    This is a predictable pattern with any Blumenthal press release - and there are many of them - by this "environmentally" conscience AG.    (He could have saved a forest with all the paper he's used with his daily releases, on this his 6,749 day in office.)   In most of his releases, since Jan. 20, he is quick to blow bouquets in the direction of President Obama, who just happens to be from his own party, while some how working in a criticism or two about the past administration, which was led by a Republican.    You almost wonder if Blumenthal's highly taxpayer-paid press office, is ordered to CC the Oval Office with these releases.
     But back to his May 11 communique.   Blumenthal managed to criticize the eight years of Bush - without mentioning him by name - but forgot to remind people the last two years, under Bush, Democrats controlled Congress.    In fact, in 2006, as the Democrats were vying for control of Congress and gasoline prices were spiking, they called on Republicans to summon "Big Oil" to congressional hearings.   Now, with the Democrats in their third year as the majority party in Congress, there is not a call for similar hearings from party hacks such as Blumenthal.
     And as for his investigation?    This isn't his first one into higher prices.    On Sept. 19, 2008, he issued a statement headlined, "Attorney General Subpoenas Gasoline Wholesalers."    On June 2, 2008: "Attorney General, As CT Gas Prices Reach Highest In Nation, Calls For Immediate Action On His Gasoline Legislative Proposals."    We're still  waiting for that action.   
     Then there was the Sept. 8, 2005 release: "Attorney General Seeks Information From Gasoline Retailers, Big Oil In Probe."   That release came five days after another release:   "Attorney General Launches Multi-State Price Gouging Investigation."    Not to be outdone was a release from April 7, 2004:   "Attorney General Joins Consumer Groups In Calling For Immediate Action To Ease High Gas Prices."   Don't forget the Dec. 11, 1996 release:   "Blumenthal Urges Federal Action on Gasoline Prices."
     Then there was the news conference - one of the thousands the AG has held over the years - outside a Hartford gasoline station on June 3, 2008, with Blumenthal leading the charge against prices that had topped more than $4 per gallon.    But when asked, if the state should cut the gas tax to give consumers some relief at the pumps, he gave the typical political answer.   "I could favor a tax reduction and probably would, but my fear is the tax will be reduced and the big oil companies will erase it by, in effect, increasing their prices to the retailers."
     In other words, "no," he didn't favor a tax cut.   It's okay for the government to gouge you.
     So, as you drive throughout the region this summer, and prices hover around the $3 per gallon mark, remember, your Attorney General is investigating why prices are so high.    Just don't hold your breath, awaiting the outcome.

     The other day, someone mentioned to me they didn't think Gov. M. Jodi Rell would run for another term. I disagreed, saying that she would. In fact, I am imploring the governor to run for reelection to save the Republican Party and rescue the state and country from Sen. Christopher Dodd. 

     Another New England Collegiate baseball season is underway and for the first time in 12 years, Torrington does not have a franchise.   Ouch!   
     Summer won't be the same in greater Torrington this year.   Yes, they will play baseball at beautiful Fuessenich Park.    But the Twisters had become an integral part of the community, until the Walter O'Malley and Horace Stoneham of our time, Robin Wadsworth and Rita Hubner, purchased the club last year, and pulled the rug out from under the city.
     Attendance, which had always been good, plummeted, as this "Dynamic Duo" doubled ticket prices, placed unwarranted demands on the city and refused to play straight with the sporting public.   
     The blueprint is a familiar one.    Just like Peter Karmanos did not want to be located in Hartford, when he bought the NHL's Whalers, Wadsworth and Hubner - or is O'Malley and Stoneham - kept raising the bar, every time the city met one of their demands.   And it didn't help matters any, when Wadsworth introduced herself to the fan base, by raising ticket prices and then threatening to move the team, if attendance didn't increase.    Talk about having the charisma of a stone.
     As what usually happens with these things, however, reality does not set in, until the new season arrives.    So, although the Twisters official fate has been known since December,  the fact they will not be playing baseball at Fuessenich Park, is only now hitting home for the thousands of their fans, as a new season arrives.
    That means a summer of missing out on watching and getting to know some potential pro baseball players, including those who may someday make the major leagues.   There will be, for example, no Stephen Strasburg, who played for the Twisters in 2007, and could be the number one pick in the country by Major League baseball, when it conducts its amateur draft later this month.    Strasburg is also a nominee for the Golden Spikes award, given to the top amateur baseball player in the country.
     Five Torrington Twisters have made it to the majors and countless more have played minor league baseball, not to mention the numerous friendships forged between players and host families and a community at large.   
     Then, of course, there were the many exhibition games with Olympic and amateur teams from around the world, in addition to former major league players, who were associated with these ventures, or former major league and NFL players, whose sons played for the Twisters.   All, suddenly knew, where Torrington was on the map.
     And did we mention former MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent's numerous appearances, as a NCBL Commissioner and one, whose dad was a Torrington native?    All of that is gone now, thanks to this town's O'Malley and Stoneham.    
     Supporters of Wadsworth and Hubner say the community doesn't know the real story.   I say hogwash.   The media has given these two countless opportunities to tell their side and all they did was buy the club, refuse to play square with the public and then pick up and leave for New Bedford, Mass.
     My relationship with New Bedford is passing through it on I-195, if there's a traffic tie up on I-495.   And it will stay that way.   Meanwhile, I hope the league sees fit to award Torrington another franchise.   It's a great baseball city, with a supportative regional base, a beautiful ballpark and great people.    And another ball club would be the perfect tie in to a renovated downtown.
     Besides, I'd love to be in the seats at Fuessenich, when the new Torrington Twisters, beat the pants off of the New Bedford O'Malleys and Stonehams.
    

     Friends of Sen. Christopher Dodd will probably draw some comfort in the latest Quinnipiac poll numbers, but, if anything, the Dodd camp should be even more concerned. The numbers show Dodd, a member of the U.S. Senate since 1981 - shouldn't he be exhibit A for term limits? - cutting into Rob Simmons' lead in a presumed match up between the incumbent Democrat and former Republican congressman.
     Simmons now leads Dodd 45 percent to 39 percent, compared to 50 to 34 percent in early April. But the latest poll was taken from May 20 to 25, when Dodd was in the news everyday over his credit card reform bill. And he also received help from President Barack Obama, by being placed in the front row at the bill signing ceremony in the Rose Garden.
    That luster will fade, as time wears on and the public comes to learn how ineffective the credit card reform bill really is. (It won't become law for nine months, giving credit card companies plenty of time to engage in their usual shenanigans.)
    Reading deeper into the numbers finds more disturbing news for Dodd. More than half those polled disapprove of how Dodd is handling his job, 53 to 38 percent. That compares to 58 to 33 percent in the last poll. Furthermore, 24 percent disapprove of his job performance because of his "overall dishonesty and lack of integrity."
    Dodd also continues to get low marks for how he has dealt with the banking industry problems and his sweetheart VIP mortgages. Apparently that issue is not going to disappear.
   Breaking down the numbers by party are also revealing. Dodd's support among members of his own Democrat party is 67 to 16 percent. Many Democrat incumbents in Connecticut have higher numbers among their own party. But even if Dodd reached the 80 percent mark, he would be in trouble. His support among Republicans is practically nil. Simmons leads there, 86 to 5 percent. And in the critical area of unaffiliated voters - where the race will be won - Simmons leads 53 to 30 percent. In other words, unless Dodd can convince the unaffiliated, he's their candidate, trouble lurks around the corner.
     Or as poll director Douglas Schwartz, PhD. put it, "Sen. Christopher Dodd's numbers are getting better, but they are still lousy."
     Dodd barely leads little known State Sen. Sam Caligiuri, another GOP candidate, 41 to 39 percent. For that matter, Dodd only leads businessman Merrick Alpert, 44 to 24 percent in a potential Democrat party primary. "It should be troubling to Dodd that this political nobody is still getting a quarter of the Democratic primary vote," added Schwartz.
     Meanwhile, although the election is still a year and a half away, expect the blitz to continue. The Senator, who used to decry big campaign money among the Republicans, is the master at big campaign money, with all ready seven figures in the till to promote his incumbency. And he's spending it. TV ads are everywhere, as are ads on the Internet - even Drudge. Media outlets get bombarded daily with releases from his office, explaining their guy's numerous talents. When all is said and done, I wouldn't be surprised to read Dodd has come up with the cure for every disease, created world peace, and convinced Castro that democracy is a good thing.
     Also expect several visits to the state by President Obama, on Dodd's behalf. Dodd was one of the first to support Obama's candidacy over Hillary Clinton's, after his disastrous presidential bid, and it would be a huge embarrassment to have the Democrats lose a senate seat in deep blue Connecticut.
    As for Simmons, the likely GOP nominee, who also has statewide recognition, all he need be is himself. He has a stellar record on which to run, from his years in the military to his CIA experience to his three terms in the U.S. House. And he would be wise to constantly remind the public about those sweetheart mortgages, that include a "cottage" on acres of land in Ireland.
   And speaking of the Emerald Isle, I wouldn't put it past the incumbent to sell the real estate in that country, if it would help him politically. I would hope the electorate would see through such an act, and much like the Senate did by censuring his father, exile this Senator, who has been in office far too long.