June 24, 2005

They’re baaaaack ----

As expected House members returned to Hartford to tackle outstanding issues that did not get done before adjournment on June 8^th. Thursday they were working on passage of an Energy Independence “proposal designed to off set some new federally mandated costs associated with providing power to Connecticut residents and businesses. They also worked at completing the infrastructure side of the states tax and spending plan known to most as the “OPM implementer”. This provides the narrative for many of the previously approved spending or tax initiatives within the two year spending plan approved prior to adjournment.

Next week the Senate will return and take up the two House initiatives while the House moves along to the Governors transportation enhancement bill and the state bond package. Once the House completes its work it will stand ready to address any changes made in the Senate and all are hoping to be completed with the state’s business by Monday evening.

Still no white smoke on campaign finance

With the media and the advocates for public financing try to figure out a new strategy to get the House leaders to agree with the Senate leaders, the Governor called for a working group made up of leadership appointments to find common ground. Governor Rell is optimistic that they can create real and lasting reforms. Wednesday the Governor called upon the leadership of the legislature to appoint two members to the working group (12 members). Along with representatives of the Governor’s office they will work to strike a balance between the Senate bill and the House bill. In addition to agreeing on the elements of reforms, the group will need to find real and permanent funding sources for public financing.

Appointments need to be at the Governors office by July 1^st and once there is agreement she will convene a special session to vote on the compromise.

While reform talk continues – dialing for campaign dollars returns

After seeing campaign finance reform blow up at the end of the session, would it seem unbelievable that many of the same legislators who spoke passionately of needing to take the influence of special interest funding out of campaigns, have started the traditional phone calls to solicit “special interest” contributions to their campaigns. Many are anticipating a run for state wide offices and know they will be facing a primary as well as the general election so they have begun to work the phones and make the contacts. We have over ten invitations and more phone calls logged into our office to date for a variety of offices – secretary of state, governor, a host of leadership PACs, Attorney General to name a few. Surprises are a plenty at the Capitol!

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