Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations

The Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee is currently studying Connecticut�s tax system.� Below is a list of RESCHEDULED public hearings to elicit information and views regarding the state�s tax system. Go to this website to view the study� http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/pridata/Studies/CT_Tax_System_Briefing.htm

�Previously scheduled hearings were cancelled due to the legislative special session�

� Stamford, November 28, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Stamford Senior Center Auditorium, Second Floor, Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard.

� Danbury, November 29, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Danbury Council Chambers, Danbury City Hall, 155 Deer Hill Avenue.

� Hamden, November 30, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Hamden Council Chambers, Hamden Government Center, 2750 Dixwell Avenue.

� Groton, December 1, 2005, 7:00 p.m., Fitch Middle School� Auditorium, 61 Fort Hill Road

If you have any questions about this study, please contact the staff office of the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee�. 860-240-0300

SECOND, R. David Stamm, Secretary,

Connecticut Communities Coalition (gandalf2001@juno.com)

will be at the December 1 meeting in Groton to present their case

to freeze assessments.� See his comments below�

Susan: I'm sure you know about the regional hearings that the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee is holding at the end of the month, but I did not see them "hi-lited" on your website.� We are still working on our property tax reform measure to freeze assessments. We are going to make our pitch before the SECOG on November 16th and the PR&I Committee at the Groton public hearing on December 1st. I have attached our current PowerPoint presentation and a draft of my statement to PR&I. We're hoping to count on your support again this year. Can you get all your troops rallied to our cause?� �R. David Stramm

As President of FCTO, I will be attending the December 1 meeting in Groton at 7:00 PM at the Fitch Middle School Auditorium at 61 Fort Hill Road.� I ask that� others attend to support the� PROPERTY TAX REFORM MEASURE TO FREEZE �ASSESSMENTS.� ��

ATTACHMENTS:� Please refer to R. David Stamm�s Presentation in powerpoint and his statement in word which are attached.�� Susan Kniep

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The following is the State of Connecticut�s Suspense List of Uncollectable Taxes for Fiscal 2005 as provided by State Comptroller Nancy Wyman�s office on November 18.� I am pursuing the� Suspense List for the previous five years and will report on them.� The following will take you to an explanation of the Suspense List � http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/pub/Chap202.htm#Sec12-37.htm

Susan - This the suspense list of uncollectable taxes for fiscal 2005, in millions. Steve Jensen, State Comptroller�s Office

Income - $149 million
Sales - $102.1
Corporation - $63.3
Other - $25.7
Motor Fuels - $2.6

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On another state tax related issue, on Nov 15, I was interviewed by Channel 3 on what could be done to force those high wage earners (some into the millions of dollars) who failed to pay their state tax obligation, even though liens have been placed on their properties/assets.� I suggested following a policy already in place wherein those who do not pay their automobile tax, cannot register their cars.� Throwing a little humor into the mix, of course, this would only affect those who don�t already have chauffeur driven limousines.�� Susan Kniep

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As President of FCTO,

1. On Oct 16, 2005 I directed a letter to Governor Rell requesting her support for campaign finance reform legislation which would hold legislators to the same standards when running for local office as seeking state� office; i.e. prohibition against accepting campaign contributions from lobbyists, special interests, etc. while in session.��

2. I had requested intervenor status by the State�s Dept of Public Health on an application originating from East Hartford but which could set precedent for the 168 towns throughout the State, i.e. charging for paramedic services provided by town employees, the costs for which are already contained within local budgets.� My focus was on the fact that the town would pay a third party for billing, which would refer the uncollected bills to a collection agency. I emphasized that as the President of a statewide taxpayers organization, if there is a means to offset government costs for any service rendered, it should be considered, however, not at the expense of jeopardizing people's lives. A primary concern is that billing for these services in East Hartford or throughout the 169 towns in the State could become a life and death issue if a segment of our population does not call 911 for fear they do not have the resources to pay. Those affected would be seniors, the uninsured and the underinsured.� I was granted intervenor status, stated the aforementioned at the Nov 9 hearing, and the hearing officer continued the hearing to a later date at which time she asked the town to respond to many of the questions I had raised.� Brad Davis on his morning radio program was instrumental in bringing this issue to light.� I will inform you of the decision by the State when it is rendered.�

3. On Dec 1, I will be attending the December 1 meeting in Groton at 7:00 PM at the Fitch Middle School Auditorium at 61 Fort Hill Road.� I ask that� others attend to support the� PROPERTY TAX REFORM MEASURE TO FREEZE �ASSESSMENTS.

4. On Dec 2, I will appear on the Jason Carlascio show out of Waterbury at 7:00 PM.� We will be discussing Prevailing Wage Laws in Connecticut.�

The following are interesting reports/releases/news reports on CT Campaign Finance

(1) http://www.record-journal.com/articles/2005/10/11/news/state/state01.txt

(2) http://www.yaledailynews.com/article.asp?AID=30446�

(3) http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=192837

(4) http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=1761&Q=293408�

(5) �http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?Q=303872&A=1761

(6) http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?Q=301960&A=1761

(7) http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/{FB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665}/CT.CFRWKINGGRPSUMM0921.PDF

(8) http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=868809

�

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PACs aren't just for top lawmakers anymore

Journal Inquirer Newspaper, Manchester By Tom Breen, Keith M. Phaneuf, and Christine Stuart, Nov 3, 2005

�HARTFORD -- The campaign finance debate at the state Capitol often centers on the so-called "leadership PACs" that top lawmakers use to leverage huge dollars from lobbyists and their business clients. But political action committees aren't just for the top legislators anymore. �A growing number of rank-and-file lawmakers are setting up their own PACs -- using the money to bolster their standing in their home districts, offset expenses, or funnel dollars into municipal races.� Continued at the following website�.� http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15509897&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=8

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Still For Sale It's Put-Up Or Shut-Up Time For Campaign Reform Legislators? Michele Jacklin, October 30 2005, Hartford Courant

The "For Sale" sign has been removed from the governor's office. Last week's guilty pleas by former gubernatorial aide Peter N. Ellef and construction executive William A. Tomasso brought to a close the story of an administration that could be bought with impunity.

Sadly, the "For Sale" sign continues to hang over the General Assembly. Legislators, of course, would dispute that. They'd say they can't be bought or unduly influenced by campaign contributions and other favors, as were former Gov. John G. Rowland and his pals.

Although a small number of legislators can't be bought, the system of legalized bribery that has existed for years at the Statehouse continues unabated.

Make no mistake, the special interests and favor seekers hold sway. If they didn't, lobbyists wouldn't be at the table when bills are written, they wouldn't be seated in the House and Senate gallery signaling to their floor allies how to vote, their mailboxes wouldn't be overflowing with invitations to fundraisers, and they wouldn't be trying to derail a campaign finance reform bill that would diminish their clout and control.

At a meeting Wednesday morning, a cadre of lobbyists - representing some of the most powerful and well-heeled entities in Connecticut - agreed to mount a last-ditch campaign to help scuttle the bill. That action speaks volumes about how the game is played and who stands to win and lose under this slimy, corrosive system.

For legislators, it's put-up or shut-up time. House members will caucus on the reform proposal Monday; Senators are expected to do so Tuesday.

A vote could be taken sometime next week, but prospects for passage remain slim.

Republicans have once again rendered themselves irrelevant. Senate Minority Leader Louis DeLuca was on the radio recently dissing taxpayer financed campaigns. House GOP Leader Bob Ward has been missing in action.

Among Democrats, Andrew McDonald of Stamford is spearheading the opposition in the Senate. The 99 House Democrats are all over the lot, ranging from fall-on-their sword absolutists to fear-mongering cowards.

And what is it they're afraid of? Uncertainty. Change. They fear an electoral system in which challengers are allowed to compete on the same level field as incumbents.

House Speaker James Amann acknowledged the pervasiveness of the fear factor last week. But the loose-lipped House leader also guaranteed that a public financing bill will be enacted.

"We're going to get a campaign finance bill done. There's no doubt in my mind," he said. If legislators "think they're going to dodge a bullet, they're out of their minds." Amann may be forced to eat his words; it wouldn't be the first time.

One thing that could advance the issue would be Gov. M. Jodi Rell putting her muscle where her mouth is. Earlier this year, Rell grudgingly endorsed the idea of public financing. She's repeatedly scolded legislators for their inaction. But while she has sought to use her bully pulpit, she has failed to employ the powers of persuasion available to a governor. Bill O'Neill could teach her a lesson on how to compel legislators, particularly political brethren, to see the wisdom of a governor's position.

Either Rell doesn't know how to use the tools at her disposal (e.g., the bond package) or she disdains them. A third possibility: Maybe it's not her nature to pin back legislators' ears until they cry uncle. Whatever the reason, Rell has given her fellow Republicans a free pass; she's stood by while they've marginalized themselves.

This week could well be the last chance to enact reform for many a year. If it doesn't happen, the legislature will remain the province of the special interests. The banks committee will still be the wholly owned subsidiary of the financial services industry; the insurance committee will still be manipulated by the insurance industry; the energy committee will still be controlled by the utilities.

Lawmakers say there isn't a need to clean up the system because voters don't care. No one is clamoring for reform, they say. No one is insisting on reclaiming a system that's been hijacked by special interests.

You have an opportunity to prove them wrong - one last chance to tell your legislators that state government should answer to the people, not special interests.

Do Connecticut a favor. Pick up the phone and call Senate Democrats at 860-240-8600; Senate Republicans at 240-8800; House Democrats at 240-8500; and House Republicans at 240-8700.

Make the call. Please.