From: Susan Kniep, President
The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations, Inc.
(FCTO)
Website: http://ctact.org/
email: fctopresident@aol.com
860-841-8032
Nov 8, 2007
Welcome
to Tax Talk 110
Tax Talk 110
Includes:
· Enfield Republicans want
review period for contracts, call for change in state law
· FCTO is Recognized by The Sam Adams Alliance
Society, Chicago
· Reminder: Nov 10 FCTO Forum on Property Tax Reform (see
above notice)
·
Bringing
Sanity Back to Energy Costs by John Mitchell of South
Windsor
· Judy Arons, FCTO Board Member, commends Senator Hartley for
Supporting Governor Rell’s Bond Veto
· Tom Durso, FCTO Treasurer, wrote an excellent article on what
we can do to take control of Board of Ed Spending
· Bob Young, FCTO
Secretary, provides a quiz on How Well Do You Know the United States
· Unblock the Holt
Bill
· From Jim Hoover – Your
Tax Dollars at Work
******************************************
Enfield Republicans want review period for
contracts, call for change in state law By:Anne Pallivathuckal, Journal Inquirer 11/02/2007 http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18984911&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6
******************************************
FCTO is Recognized by The Sam Adams Alliance Society, Chicago
Defending Connecticut Taxpayers
By Sam Adams Alliance
Society, Chicago
http://www.samadamsalliance.org/
For Connecticut
taxpayers, life is rough. Just ask Susan Kniep,
president of the Federation
of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations (FCTO).
"Connecticut is second only to New Jersey for highest taxes in the
country," she says. "People are suffering as a result of
taxation."
So Kniep and the FCTO are working hard to promote
fiscal responsibility in Connecticut
government and to protect taxpayers from unnecessary taxation and government
mismanagement and corruption, among other goals listed on their website.
They certainly have their work cut out for them, but they draw inspiration from
Thomas Jefferson—who said "eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty"—to keep them motivated.
Jefferson's words have proved all too accurate, illustrated
by the FCTO's website, where story after story has
been collected about wasteful, irresponsible, and unaccountable government
behavior. Here's a small sample of headlines: "Ex Connecticut
Governor Gets 1 Year in Prison for Corruption," "Taxpayers are Being
Sued by Government Unions," and "Lawmakers on a Wild Spending Spree." Needless to say, citizens must remain
vigilant to keep their governments from running amok.
"The biggest cost to an American citizen is the taxes they pay. There is a
strong taxpayer movement throughout the country, but there are still many who
are unaware of what's going on," Kniep says.
"And in their defense, it's because they're working so hard. Some of them
are working multiple jobs just to keep their heads above water, to keep a roof
over their head."
"All taxpayers get is the bill," Kniep
continues. "They have no participation."
That's where the FCTO comes in. They sponsor events like "Tax Day" at
the Capitol and produce an e-mail publication, "Tax talk," to keep
citizens informed about legislation that affects them and to encourage them to
act accordingly.
"Our goal is to empower the taxpayer, to have them understand that this is
their government," she says. "People are coming to the realization of
where their money is going-it's going to pay for the salaries and benefits of
an elite group."
You might think keeping taxpayers informed and involved—not to mention her real
estate business—would leave Kniep no extra time for
anything else. However, she and the FCTO are also heavily involved in eminent
domain issues because Connecticut
is one of the few states who did not respond after the Kelo
case by instituting legislation to protect property owners.
Connecticut certainly has its problems, but it's not the only state in the Union with out-of-control government, and Kniep encourages others across the country to get involved.
She suggests understanding the various boards and commissions in your local
municipality, and serving on one you're interested in.
"Most importantly, become astute with what your government is doing,"
she says. "Read local newspapers, attend local legislative body meetings.
Be there in the audience and listen to what they're saying. Even if you never
say a word, let them know you're concerned enough to be there."
Kniep also encourages citizens to form their own
taxpayer organization.
"A taxpayer organization can be started with just one person," she
says. "Hold a meeting and you could be impacted with five or 500.
Sometimes people are just looking for a leader."
******************************************
Bring sanity
back to energy costs
By: John J. Mitchell Sr., South Windsor
There exists a crying need for consumers to
protest the existence of the constant price manipulation of the energy markets.
The authority of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission was diminished in
2000 and helped to give birth to the Enron scandal.
The price that consumers pay for energy is determined instantly by trading
activity daily on the energy markets. There is a need to close the "Enron
loophole" written into federal law in 2000, which exempted the
over-the-counter trading from federal oversight.
Heating oil recently traded at the highest-ever level as prices closed on Sept.
7. There certainly was no demand or shortage of supply. The trading volume for
future contracts in 1½ days on the NYMEX (paper trades) exceeds the consumption
of heating oil for the entire country all year. What does that say about speculation
in a market so critical to the comfort and safety of millions of homes in the
Northeast?
Industry Associations, Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association, New
England Fuel Institute, and Petroleum Marketers Association of America have
joined more than 20 other national and regional trade associations, public
utility, and consumer groups to urge greater transparency and accountability of
the unregulated over-the-counter energy commodity markets. The American family,
small businesses, and the overall economy are being held hostage to the
unprecedented price volatility and uncertainty as a result of the wild
speculation of these producers.
The Oil and Natural Gas Traders Act of 2007, pending passage in Congress, is an
important first step in bringing sanity back to energy costs. The CFTC needs to
have its oversight authority restored and greater visibility given to
"Dark Markets" trading activity.
Rep. John Larson was initially responsible for a Government Accountability
Office investigation of CFTC authority. Now it is important to keep the process
moving by passage of the Oil and Natural Gas Traders Act to restore its
authority. I would urge everyone to call his Hartford office at 860-278-8888.
Strong and overwhelming support of this act is crucial to lowering our energy
costs. Without resounding support or pressure from their constituents, Congress
may not act upon this important bill.
******************************************
STATE BOND PACKAGE ADOPTED
A Special Note of Thanks to Senator Hartley
who was the only Democratic
senator refusing to
override Rell's veto.
Bond package finally adopted, and governor will sign it
By Keith M. Phaneuf, Journal
Inquirer, 10/31/2007
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18973371&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=613210&rfi=6
Local projects compete for limited state money
By Keith M. Phaneuf, Journal
Inquirer, 11/01/2007
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18977602&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=613210&rfi=6
Are projects in your town on the list?
By Journal Inquirer staff, 11/01/2007
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18977681&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=613210&rfi=6
Trying To Save Bond Package
Posted by Hartford
Courant on Thursday Oct 11 | via Hartford Courant 
“We put a few things on the table” Senate President Pro Tem
Donald E. Williams Jr., D-Brooklyn, said Wednesday he is trying to craft a
revised bond package acceptable to Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell,
rather than make peace with a recalcitrant fellow Democrat, Sen. Joan V.
Hartley of Waterbury. Williams declined to discuss the status of Hartley's
relationship with the Democratic caucus, other than to say that his focus is on
reaching an accord with Rell, who vetoed the
Democrats' $3.2 billion general-obligation bond package over the weekend. 'I
talked with her yesterday and Monday,' Williams said of the governor. Hartley
is the only Democratic senator refusing to override Rell's
veto, denying Democrats a political victory over Rell.
Without Hartley, the Democrats are one vote short of the two-thirds vote
necessary for an override. House Speaker James A. Amann,
D-Milford, who wants Democrats to attempt an override, said Williams has
informed him of his decision to deal with Rell rather
than make peace with Hartley. Read more
From Judy Aron, imjfaron@sbcglobal.net
FCTO Board Member
Subject: Rell Bonding Veto
Dear Sue:
Below is the letter that I sent Senator Hartley -
People should thank her for standing her ground, and remind Don Williams (who
threatened her with removal of her committee chairmanship, her staff and her
parking space, unless she capitulated and joined other Democrats
to overturn Gov. Rell's veto of the bonding
package) of the following Statute:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/pub/Chap952.htm#Sec53a-192.htm
Sec.
53a-192 which notes that Coercion is a Class
A misdemeanor or class D felony.
Judy Aron
*****************
Dear Senator Hartley, Although I am not a constituent of
your district, I just felt compelled to write to you and to thank you
for maintaining your ethics and your principles regarding your thoughts on
the recently vetoed bonding package. I applaud you for standing your
ground and not being bullied by others to over ride the Governor's veto -
especially as others may threaten to take away your staff or chairmanship, or
any other resources that you so rightly deserve. I am heartened to know
that you have stood up to the coersion and harassment,
and you remain true to your convictions. You are a true role model for
those who aspire to public office and I wish that more legislators had
your sense. I heard you speak on WDRC yesterday and I was extremely
impressed with your reasoned position on this issue. You absolutely would get my vote for CT
legislator of the year. Thank you for all you do to insure
integrity and open government. Judy
Aron,
West Hartford, CT
To Contact Senator Hartley
E-mail: Hartley@senatedems.ct.gov
Phone: 1-800-842-1420
Address: Legislative Office
Building, Room 1800,
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
http://www.senatedems.state.ct.us/Hartley.html
******************************************
An excellent editorial appearing in the Waterbury Republican
written by Tom Durso of Watertown, Treasurer of
FCTO
TDurso8217@aol.com
The Doctor is In
Neither the local Democratic nor the Republican party
have cornered the market on wisdom and both face an annual common
problem- the budget.
Most of this problem was created by the legislature since
the Town Council has lost much control of spending and taxes due to state education mandates.
There may be a cure however; call it the Dr. Fusco remedy.
Dr. Armand A. Fusco , (fusco.a@comcast.net ), a retired Connecticut
schools superintendent and author of
"School Corruption: Betrayal of Children and the Public Trust", is offerring to help concerned taxpayer groups to uncover any
questionable use of public school funds. Dr. Fusco writes "
School boards and administrators usually state that 75-80% of the budget
represents fixed costs. Taxpayers should never accept such a statement. (which) assumes that every school employee is essential, that
no consolidations can take place, all programs and services are efficient and
effective, all resources are managed with quality guidelines, and every
operation is managed with utmost efficiency. ... nothing
could be further from the truth" .
All campaign slogans aside, the one issue which will
increasingly affect
taxpayers and town finances is school spending. Watertown-Oakville is blessed with astute private
citizens who could serve on a school audit panel under the guidance of Dr. Fusco ; the savings in tax dollars could be immense.
All Town Council candidates and other citizens who are concerned about the
taxpayers and our economy should contact Dr. Fusco.
******************************************
A CALL TO
ACTION BY COMMON CAUSE
Unblock the Holt Bill
October 1, 2007: For nearly a
month, we’ve been poised for a House vote on critical reform legislation that
would ensure ballots are backed by paper records in the 2008 elections.
Help us stop the delay. We’re going to gather 18,000 signatures on this
petition – one for every vote lost in Florida
in 2006 due to electronic voting machine problems. We’ll deliver these
petitions to the House and let them know that we want a vote on the Holt bill
now, so that no vote is ever lost again.
Go to the following website to vote ….
http://www.getitstraightby2008.org/c.hnKKIINpEqG/b.3411415/k.1D6B/Help_us_Unblock_the_Holt_Bill/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?sid=183368983
******************************************
Wethersfield Taxpayers
Association
FCTO Secretary
Quiz:
How well do you know the United
States?
Answer selected questions from the new naturalization test
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21019797/
******************************************
From Jim Hoover, jim.hoover@sbcglobal.net
President, Vernon
Taxpayers Association
YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK
Report uncovers $146 million in government travel abuses
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/03/travel.waste.ap/index.html
******************************************