As the struggle to pass campaign finance reform (CFR) continues in the General Assembly, businesses are becoming vocal on the subject. The CT Business & Industry Association (CBIA) raised concerns this week that the current proposals of campaign finance reform create an unleveled playing field for businesses. They claim the restrictions placed on businesses, such as a ban on ad books, far outweigh the restrictions put on labor unions. Supporters of CFR disagree and claim that CFR will actually remedy the already unleveled playing field. Governor Rell said, "The very legitimacy of...government is called into question when...the perception exists that a moneyed few play a special role or have a special influence over elections and policy."

CBIA also defended the role of lobbyists and contractors, stating that broad restrictions on these two groups will, "stifle debate on important issues." But with the aftermath of the Rowland scandal still on everyone's minds, Rell and legislators keep talking about restricting these groups to curtail "undue influence" in the political process.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for CFR is how to fund it. Legislators have not yet determined a feasible funding mechanism; current suggestions range from unclaimed property escheats, to bottle escheats, to an adjustment on the state income tax. Opponents of CFR point out that it's unlikely that taxpayers will want to take on the burden of funding elections; CBIA highlighted that this plan would take away an estimated $70 million during a 4-year gubernatorial election cycle from other more important initiatives. However, supporters advocate that "clean elections" are necessary to cut down on the number of conflicting interests for candidates during elections and lead to a more efficient government.

And so the plot thickens. The Speaker announced yesterday that the issue will simmer some more until after the Thanksgiving holiday break. Many wonder: will it ever be possible for the legislature to compromise and pass a bill that the Governor will sign? More to come.

Once again, on Wednesday, Governor Rell vetoed Senate Bill 2101: An Act Concerning Reform of the State Contracting Process. Rell has been an outspoken opponent of the bill and has publicly gone back and forth with Senate leaders on this issue. Senators Williams and DeFronzo went so far as to accuse Rell of spreading "misinformation" about this bill back in October.

Rell responded that the bill she initially presented to the General Assembly had been "hijacked by the majority party" and "...instead of giving the people of Connecticut a clean contracting system, this bill has been turned on its head and made into a vehicle for rewarding special interests." Rell even drew a bold parallel between the intentions of this bill and the Rowland scandal. She said that while Rowland steered contracts to certain contributors, this bill would essentially be steering contracts again to another set of contributors. Even though the two sets of contributors may be different, it is wrong either way.

Rell said this bill was a direct assault on the “priceless partnership” between some of CT's most disenfranchised citizens and those who work and care for them in facilities such as rehab centers and group homes. The contracting bill would have restricted private businesses, including non-profits, from bidding on state contracts except under specific circumstances. This was a major concern for businesses and non-profits around the state, including many that had provided services for the state for sometime. Some believed that in many cases private businesses could provide better care for fragile citizens than the state and preventing this care would be detrimental to the people of CT.

Senate leaders have already pledged to bring this issue back in 2006.

Due to the upcoming shortened week because of Thanksgiving, we will not have a newsletter next Friday. We will return on Friday, December 2. We wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!