From: Susan Kniep,
President
The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations, Inc.
Website: http://ctact.org/
email: fctopresident@ctact.org
860-524-6501
December 9, 2005
WELCOME TO THE 60th EDITION OF
TAX TALK
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CONGRATULATIONS TO
MIKE GUARCO
and
The Connecticut
Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility
Again, we congratulate Mike Guarco who has successfully
assembled officials throughout Connecticut
who are working to reform State Mandates to include Binding Arbitration. Mike and his group have received public
recognition for their efforts and are to be commended for their work on behalf
of taxpayers throughout Connecticut. We encourage taxpayers to urge
their towns to join with Mike and The Connecticut Municipal
Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility.
Below Mike has provided us with an update of the success of
his organization as well as information on how you can become involved and who
to contact. . Attached is a list of those
towns involved with The Connecticut
Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility.
Have the
boards in your town joined
the Consortium coalition yet?
How long can
they....and you...afford to wait????
A Message From Mike Guarco, BudgetGuru06035@aol.com: To FCTO President Sue Kniep, its Board of
Directors, and members of the underlying organizations: This update to you comes from the Connecticut Municipal
Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility, to highlight our spectacular growth this
year..... and our plans for 2006. We are thankful for
the rapid stream of local boards joining our ranks from across Connecticut...
and for those willing to actively press legislators.... both at the Capitol
and, most importantly, in the constituent towns back in the districts
themselves.
The Consortium is a vast coalition of local boards -
ranging from Town Councils and Boards of Selectmen to those of Finance and
Education - from across our state who feel that more attention must be paid to
managing the cost side of the local budget..... and
the mounting negative effects of state interventions in our local budgetary
affairs that effectively emasculate a town's ability to manage major components
of its own fiscal affairs. Left unchecked..... these
intrusions leave those with nominal local authority in essence presiding over
the demise of our own local government services..... as
taxpayer discontent mounts and the state reneges on its own financial
commitments to the towns.
With a perpetual inherent structural deficit built into the
state budget by the legislature, they continue to debate passing
feel-good ideas into law and thereby driving up the local cost to operate -
read that property taxes - while failing to meet their existing financial
commitments to the towns for state aid formulas and grants. Perhaps its time
they put their own fiscal house in order.... and allow the towns to do the
same.
The three-point Mission Statement of the Consortium group
calls for: 1) modifications in binding arbitration to level the playing
field away from the current imbalance, and includes sending an arbitrated
settlement that is subsequently rejected by a town back into negotiations 2)
raising the cost thresholds that bring a capital project under prevailing wage
requirements up to $5MM ( CCM estimates that a moratorium would save state and
local some half a Billion dollars per year!), and 3) prohibiting
new mandates being dumped on the towns - and local taxpayers - until
the state meets its financial commitments to the towns that already exist
on the books.
These are planks are all common elements drawn from the
platforms of the Ct Council of Small Towns, the Ct Conference of
Municipalities, and the CT Association of Boards of Education. Hence, that
allows us to claim the high ground in saying our position is then... pro-local
government... pro-taxpayer... and pro-education. This is important in our
ability to draw more support from town boards and leadership across the
state... and in pressing the agenda with individual legislators.
Month by month...we grow.... as boards in the towns across
our state vote to join us and endorse our Mission.
Since inception nearly a year ago.... we have mushroomed to count 96 boards in
our ranks...representing 73 towns. We expect to near the goals of some 150
boards represented ...from some 100+ towns... by spring. It takes time....but
we have made steady process in filling our ranks.....which enhances our ability
to deliver a message that resonates from
across-the-boards....across-the-parties... and across-the-state.
We appreciate the support from FCTO and the underlying membership.
While continuing the recruitment campaign this spring, we will make our
concerns known to legislators, and work with both sides of the aisle to craft
legislation to help towns better manage the cost side of the budgetary
equation. It is simply amazing that folks continue to vote in the liberal
majority that is in effect shafting most of the traditional FDR base while
serving it all up to the public employee unions and their allies. The
traditional proponent of the little guy is, in effect, a major cause of why
local program is being choked out of budgets while tax rates soar.
As discontent spreads across the state, a new majority will
take shape in order to change this great imbalance. The Consortium coalition -
made up of boards of elected officials from nearly half the towns in CT - will
be one of the groups in this long-term war against the special interests and
their ongoing plunder of the public till. Those from all parties must recognize
the danger of the current system... and be prepared to do something about it.
We municipal leaders need more support... from our brethren in other towns and
on other boards, and from taxpayers and groups such as FCTO... to challenge the
status quo in our attempt to right the ship.
Has your town joined
with the Consortium yet?
We may be reached
through the following members:
Mike Guarco,
Chairman
Mike Zelasky,
Chairman
George McLaughlin, Chairman
Granby Board of
Finance Lisbon Board of
Finance New Milford Board of Finance
budgetguru06035@aol.com
MikeZelasky@adelphia.net
geomcljr@charter.net
Richard
Burke
John Adams, Chairman
Cal Heminway,
Chairman
Oxford Board of
Finance Granby Board of
Selectmen Granby Board of Education
Richard.Burke@asml.com
jadams@rizzo.com
calhemin@sbcglobal.net
WHAT YOU CAN DO
TO SUPPORT THE
CONSORTIUM EFFORT
Initial steps: Secure endorsement from the Boards in your town: i.e.
Finance, Education, Selectmen/Town Council
Encourage the BOF Chair,
or his designee, to participate in the development of county-wide associations
that will combine to form a statewide network.
Long-range: Educate
yourself and others on how and why reducing the slope of the cost curve allows
more flexibility in providing program and reducing tax rate increases.
Meet with your
local legislators on these issues and let them know why change is important to
your town, and townspeople
Be an advocate for the issues: Take the
message to the Capitol, to your legislative delegation and others.
Testify when the call goes out on a useful bill relating to
our agenda.
In summary, help us to
broaden the Consortium roster by securing support from town boards that agree with
our mission. Their support is very important and that of the Finance
Chair is vital.
If you
would like to become more active, you are most welcome to join us in reaching
out to those in other towns and spreading the message. Please feel free
to contact any of those listed above.
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CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
First in the nation - for
the right reasons; Flaws in new campaign finance reforms, WindsorJournal.com, 12/08/2005
In the
overnight hours of December 1, the House of Representatives gave final
legislative approval to a bill touted as the most groundbreaking campaign
finance reform legislation in the nation.
Proponents of the legislation (Senate Bill 2103, An Act Concerning
Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform For State-Wide
Constitutional And General Assembly Offices) claim it strikes a blow against
corruption in state government by removing the impact of special interest
groups and contractors who do business with the state in election campaigns. Unfortunately, the bill approved contains a number of severe flaws. Continued at the
following website: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15719563&BRD=1633&PAG=461&dept_id=11608&rfi=6
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James J. Brennan, Mbre557275@aol.com
Wethersfield
Hartford Courant, Letter to
the Editor on Campaign Finance Reform
FCTO extends its sincere appreciation to Jim
for sharing with us his editorial which recently appeared in the Hartford Courant on
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. I feel
confident that many share Jim’s sentiments.
How do you feel about the passage of this recent legislation? Let us
hear from you!
From James Brennan: I
believe in public financing of political campaigns - voluntary public
financing. Here’s a simple formula to start with: If you can vote for the candidates, you can
contribute to them. No corporate
contributions, no union contributions, no political action committee
contributions. In short, all contributions should come from voters who are
going to be represented by the candidate.
This should include our congressional as well. Why should Connecticut elections be
influenced by out-of-state money? Why should any district election be
influenced by money from another district?
We have public cable television stations. Let’s use them to allow our
candidates to present their positions. We have town halls. Let’s use them for
candidate appearances and debates. We
are not an ignorant state. Our candidates are very capable of making better use
of the money being spent on campaigns. They now want to put their hands into
our pockets so they can continue to run the wasteful campaigns that they have
become accustomed to. It’s not campaign
financing that needs reform; it’s the way campaign dollars are spent. James Brennan
**********
Kathleen Mitchell, Orkenizer44@aol.com
New London, CT
ICE your cell
phone NOW!
Dec 9, 2005
The following could save your life. We are indebted to Kathleen for
forwarding this information to us.
Kathleen is helping to save the lives and homes of those who live in New London who are
subject to Eminent Domain. She runs an
informative, thought provoking weekly cable program from New London which focuses on factual information
which is sometimes lacking in the main stream news media. Thank you Kathleen!
"ICE"
your cell phone - Paramedics and EMTs will turn to a victim's cell phone for
clues to that person's identity. You can make their job much easier with a
simple idea that they are trying to get everyone to adopt: ICE. "ICE" stands for In Case of
Emergency. If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell phone under ICE,
with the name and phone no. of the person that the emergency services should
call on your behalf, you can save them a lot of time and have your loved ones
contacted quickly. You can also include your blood type, allergies, and such,
as well as any conditions requiring medication you are taking now and the
dosage of that medication. It only takes a few moments of your time to do
and it can save YOUR life. It can even save the life of your loved
ones. Paramedics know what ICE means and
they look for it immediately. ICE your
cell phone NOW! Please pass this
along. "Do your duty in all
things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less." — Robert E.
Lee
Also, read the most recent on EMINENT DOMAIN: Panel backs
restrictions on seizures; Eminent domain rules would limit developers. http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Dec/20051208News012.asp
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Friday, December 09, 2005 - President
Bush said we need to rebuild Iraq,
provide the people with jobs and give them hope. If it works there, maybe we'll
try it in New Orleans. ~ JAY LENO
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Jim Hoover, jim.hoover@sbcglobal.net
Vernon Taxpayer
Insight into Washington Elections, Donations, etc.
December 9, 2005
FCTO extends our appreciation to Jim for his referral to
this excellent website and the information which follows. As campaign finance reform
is debated in Hartford, the following provides some insight into Washington elections, donations, and PROSTITUTING THE POLITICAL
PROCESS.
The full text can be found at the following website: http://www.leutholdgroup.com/objects/Index/in_focus/2005/In_Focus_October_2005_v2.pdf
The status quo of politics is maintained and
upheld by a fundraising system that both parties take advantage of to protect
their turf and interests –thereby making the political process less responsive
to the American public.
Diamonds and Incumbent Status are Forever
· Only 4 out of 398 U.S. Representatives seeking
re-election lost – a 99% re-election rate
· Of all 435 seats up for election in the House, the party
in control of those seats retained control 97% of the time
· The average margin of victory for a House member running
against an opponent was 66%.
· Only 1 of 26 Senate incumbents lost
· While 12 of the 34 (35.3%) Senate races were considered
“close” with the winner
garnering less than 55% of the vote, only 57 of 435
(13.1%) of the races were considered close.
Raising Money for Elections is Big Business
· All told, candidates from both parties who were part of
the 2004 elections raised $998.5 million.
· On average, Republican candidates raised $1.2 million per
candidate compared to
$989,000 for Democratic candidates.
· Of the 403 incumbents who ran for re-election, there were
only 107 who had to draw on prior cash accounts. For the rest, the 2004
election was a money-making proposition.
· Democrats received 80% of their donations from individuals
and 14% from PACs,
compared to the Republicans who received 65% from
individuals and 22% from PACs.
· Of losing House candidates, only 17 garnered more than 45%
of the votes cast. All 17 candidates had raised at least $1 million
· PACs account for 40% of the total individual and PAC
contributions
· Of the 36 elections for open congressional seats, 32 of
the races were won by the
candidate who raised the most money.
· Candidates who are running unopposed often pass their
money on to out of state
candidates and their national parties
The status quo of politics is maintained and upheld by a
fundraising system that both parties take advantage of to protect their turf
and interests –thereby making the political process less responsive to the American
public.
**********
Thank you to our many members who forwarded the
various articles below on CORRUPTION which has permeated
government on all levels!
Lawmakers' image hits low amid scandals, December 9, 2005 , BY DONNA CASSATA,
WASHINGTON -- Indictments, investigations and a congressman's guilty plea for
taking millions in bribes have left most Americans convinced political
corruption is a deeply rooted problem, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos
poll. Continued at the following
website: http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-cor09.html
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QUESTIA –The worlds largest online library
Political
Corruption: http://www.questia.com/library/politics-and-government/political-science/political-corruption.jsp?CRID=political_corruption&OFFID=se1&KEY=political_corruption&LID=14580570
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The Abramoff Affair: Corruption scandal threatens Republican control of US Congress http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=118895
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From the State’s Office of Legislative Research:
TRANSFER OF
ASSETS LAW,
Dec 1, 2005, Robin Cohen, Principal Analyst:
You asked for a summary of the state’s Medicaid long term care transfer
of assets law. This report updates OLR Report 2003-R-0708, with a discussion of topics not
covered in that report, including the debt creation for certain asset
transfers. SUMMARY: Federal Medicaid law generally requires states to impose
a period of Medicaid ineligibility (penalty period) when an institutionalized
individual or his spouse transfers assets for less than fair market value less
than 36 months (60 months for transfers to certain trusts) before applying for
Medicaid. (This is commonly referred to as the “look-back” period. ) The law exempts a number of transfers from these
penalties but requires the applicant or spouse to prove that a transfer during
the look back period is exempt. Continued at the following website: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/rpt/2005-R-0890.htm
**********
News stories recently posted throughout the First Amendment
Center Online.
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/newssummary.aspx
**********
Peter Santoro psantoro02@snet.net
East Hartford Taxpayers Association
Subject: Governmentium
Hi Folks: I think you will get a laugh from this piece. Peter
NEW ELEMENT FOUND! The recent hurricanes
and skyrocketing oil and gasoline prices helped to prove the existence of a new
element. In early October 2005, a major research institution announced the
discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element has
been named "Governmentium."
Governmentium (Gv) has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy
neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of
312. These 312 particles are held together by forces called 'morons'
which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called
'peons.' Since Gv has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be
detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into
contact. A minute amount of Gv causes one reaction to take over four
days to complete, when it would normally take less than a second!
Gv has a normal half-life of 4 years; it does not decay; but instead
undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons
and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium's mass will
actually increase over time, since each reorganization
will cause more
morons to become neutrons, forming 'isodopes.' This characteristic of
moron promotion leads most scientists to believe that Gv is formed
whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This
hypothetical quantity is referred to as 'Critical Morass.' When catalyzed with money, Gv becomes
"Administratium' (Am) - an element which radiates just as much energy as
Gv, since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons