We predicted months ago that Dannel88 was cut right from the mold of Barack Obama, a tax and spend liberal.
So his announcement Friday that he had cut a deal with the state employee unions that includes no layoffs should come as no surprise. Furthermore, like Obama, Dannel88 loves the spotlight, as evidenced by the dog and pony show he put on this winter.
In reality, what was the result of his now infamous "listening tour ?" Nothing, other than a larger "carbon footprint.". He got his tax hike - the largest in state history - did not layoff any state unionized employees, and he managed to expand the budget. Not bad for someone who more people voted against for governor than for.
The final piece of Dannel88's charade fell into place Thursday, when the State Supreme Court tossed out Sen. Joe Markley's lawsuit. Essentially the court ruled the state legislature could place a hidden tax on our electric bills and use the money for the general fund. Now Connecticut was awash in an extra $300M, on top of a projected $600M surplus in this fiscal year. That gave Dannel88 the excuse he needed to cut his union deal. Using his stifling tax hike, surplus money that should go back to the people, and the usual budget gimmicks - of which there are many - Dannel88 had his deal.
Remember, as predicted, there were never going to be any layoffs. State employees were the ones who "elected" Dannel88. So in the end, we have what this corner predicted in the fall, if this tax and spend Democrat/WFP candidate was elected: higher taxes, in a state already taxed to the max, more spending, and an overburdenedsome state bureaucracy. And it is just the start of his powergrab, if you follow what else he's been up to, especially with the Department of Environmental Protection. I would not be surprised, if President Obama hasn't already hit the send button on his congratulatory email.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
HEALY CALLS FOR DEP HEAD TO RESIGN
Connecticut Republican Party chief Chris Healy is calling for DEP Commissioner Daniel Esty to resign. Appearing on my radio program this afternoon, Healy reacted to Esty's comments we are not paying enough for gasoline. (In Avon, Canton and Simsbury motorists are paying $4.35 per gallon, regular). Speaking to a group of high school students in New Haven, on Monday, Esty called for higher prices as an incentive to make motorists drive less. "Let's make people pay for the harm they cause," Esty told the students.
Esty recently wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times, supporting the creation of a carbon emissions charge. That column, and his comments on Monday have been mostly ignored by the main stream media in Connecticut. But on today's program, I called for Esty's resignation and later, when confronted with Esty's comments, Healy said, "He (Esty), should be repudiated by the governor. He should be replaced by the governor."
"I'm calling for Esty's resignation. Does that mean you are too?" I asked Healy. "Well, yea," he answered.
Esty is also advocating a "pay as you throw" policy for people who choose to toss cans, bottles and food containers, instead of recycling them. "This commissioner, or rather commissar of DEP, is charged with doing a few things. One is to administer laws, as they're laid down, and two is to issue permits. He's not there to promulgate policy that would destroy the economy of this state.
In the story covered by the New Haven Register, Esty told students his job as DEP Commissioner is to make sure "people obey rules and regulations set by the DEP." Should we salute, when he walks into a room, too?
Esty was Dannel 88's handpicked choice to serve as DEP head, after he worked on Barack Obama's presidential campaign and later on his transition team. He sailed through the confirmation process by the legislature and has adopted a high profile in his short time on the job, traveling to schools and speaking before numerous civic groups. In just about every instance, he calls for higher gasoline prices, attacks the fossil fuel industry and is not shy about accepting the global warming theory.
"The guy is completely out of his league. I don't know why the governor picked him. He seems to flaunt the fact that he is a radical environmentalist, anti-business. Now we have a commissioner who is wandering around the state, telling people that $8 or $9 a gallon gas is good for the Connecticut economy."
Good for the moving van industry in Connecticut, perhaps, because that will be the only business thriving, if Esty's radical ideas are combined with Malloy's highest tax hike in state history.
Esty recently wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times, supporting the creation of a carbon emissions charge. That column, and his comments on Monday have been mostly ignored by the main stream media in Connecticut. But on today's program, I called for Esty's resignation and later, when confronted with Esty's comments, Healy said, "He (Esty), should be repudiated by the governor. He should be replaced by the governor."
"I'm calling for Esty's resignation. Does that mean you are too?" I asked Healy. "Well, yea," he answered.
Esty is also advocating a "pay as you throw" policy for people who choose to toss cans, bottles and food containers, instead of recycling them. "This commissioner, or rather commissar of DEP, is charged with doing a few things. One is to administer laws, as they're laid down, and two is to issue permits. He's not there to promulgate policy that would destroy the economy of this state.
In the story covered by the New Haven Register, Esty told students his job as DEP Commissioner is to make sure "people obey rules and regulations set by the DEP." Should we salute, when he walks into a room, too?
Esty was Dannel 88's handpicked choice to serve as DEP head, after he worked on Barack Obama's presidential campaign and later on his transition team. He sailed through the confirmation process by the legislature and has adopted a high profile in his short time on the job, traveling to schools and speaking before numerous civic groups. In just about every instance, he calls for higher gasoline prices, attacks the fossil fuel industry and is not shy about accepting the global warming theory.
"The guy is completely out of his league. I don't know why the governor picked him. He seems to flaunt the fact that he is a radical environmentalist, anti-business. Now we have a commissioner who is wandering around the state, telling people that $8 or $9 a gallon gas is good for the Connecticut economy."
Good for the moving van industry in Connecticut, perhaps, because that will be the only business thriving, if Esty's radical ideas are combined with Malloy's highest tax hike in state history.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
PLAYING RADIO CRITIC ON TAXPAYERS' DIME
How many of you can say you received $7,158 in raises between 2007 and 2010? And with taxpayers footing the bill? Robert C. Douglas can make that claim. According to ctsunlight.org, Douglas, who works for the House Democrats, was paid $70,022 in 2007 and $77,158 in 2010, not counting other state benefits. In other words, while Connecticut's budget was in a tailspin, Douglas was raking in the taxpayers' money.
Douglas emails me on occasion. After initially opening his correspondence, I stopped a few years ago. Usually the emails contain criticisms of my conservative viewpoints and the radio company for which I work. I did not have problems with the criticism, although I'll debate any liberal at any time. I stopped reading his emails, because I felt his time was a gross waste of the taxpayers' money, and I did not want to be an accomplice by wasting my time. That was until, Wednesday, March 30, when I decided to open his latest emails.
As Connecticut faces a dire financial situation, Douglas apparently has the time to play radio critic on the taxpayers' dime. At 2:08 pm, came an email signed by Douglas, chiding radio station personnel over recent programming changes made by our parent company. At 2:29 pm, Douglas dashed off another email, this time with an attachment from the George Soros-funded Media Matters and its coverage of the programming changes. (This time I saved the emails as
proof.)
Is this the best use of taxpayers' money, paying someone to be radio critic? The legislature is at the height of its session and in the middle of the afternoon, Douglas has time to search computer websites and email a radio station, in a chiding manner no less?
During a time, when public sector union positions have come under scrutiny and the unions remind us how important each and every job is, one must ask, how important is Douglas' job? What else is included in his package, besides the annual $77,158? What do his benefits cost? Does he get paid for mileage? Is that mileage compensation part of the calculation used to determine his pension?
When all is included, taxpayers are probably on the hook for $100,000 annually to underwrite a job designed to criticize radio stations. As the conversation turns to government waste, positions occupied by the likes of a Douglas, should be the first to go.
Douglas emails me on occasion. After initially opening his correspondence, I stopped a few years ago. Usually the emails contain criticisms of my conservative viewpoints and the radio company for which I work. I did not have problems with the criticism, although I'll debate any liberal at any time. I stopped reading his emails, because I felt his time was a gross waste of the taxpayers' money, and I did not want to be an accomplice by wasting my time. That was until, Wednesday, March 30, when I decided to open his latest emails.
As Connecticut faces a dire financial situation, Douglas apparently has the time to play radio critic on the taxpayers' dime. At 2:08 pm, came an email signed by Douglas, chiding radio station personnel over recent programming changes made by our parent company. At 2:29 pm, Douglas dashed off another email, this time with an attachment from the George Soros-funded Media Matters and its coverage of the programming changes. (This time I saved the emails as
proof.)
Is this the best use of taxpayers' money, paying someone to be radio critic? The legislature is at the height of its session and in the middle of the afternoon, Douglas has time to search computer websites and email a radio station, in a chiding manner no less?
During a time, when public sector union positions have come under scrutiny and the unions remind us how important each and every job is, one must ask, how important is Douglas' job? What else is included in his package, besides the annual $77,158? What do his benefits cost? Does he get paid for mileage? Is that mileage compensation part of the calculation used to determine his pension?
When all is included, taxpayers are probably on the hook for $100,000 annually to underwrite a job designed to criticize radio stations. As the conversation turns to government waste, positions occupied by the likes of a Douglas, should be the first to go.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
OBAMACARE A BUREAUCRATIC NIGHTMARE
Ask medical billing offices across the United States, what they think of
Obamacare, otherwise known as the Affordable Healthcare for America Act.
Although the bill's full force does not take effect until 2014 - not so
coincidentally after the next presidential election - it is already
turning into a bureaucratic nightmare, while proving once more why
government is so out of touch with the private sector.
Under the act - which apparently had to be passed to find out what was
in it - new Medicare fee schedules have been sent to every office
across the country. One billing office manager told me, "that wouldn't
be so bad, if the fees took effect this year, but they are retroactive
to 2010." Therein lies the dilemma.
Billing offices are being bombarded with paperwork. So much for the
pro-environment president, who never met a tree he didn't want to save.
Managers are being forced to sift through records from last year, in
many cases to make adjustments and send out refunds that amount to 24
cents. In some instances insurance providers are being billed $1.42. All of
this is not only leading to more of the aforementioned paperwork, but
sending our vulnerable senior citizen population into a state of agita.
In one town, for example, a 92-year-old gentleman got into his car
and drove to a billing office, puzzled as to why his supplemental
insurance carrier was asking him to fork over 92 cents for a procedure
that was performed and billed last year. The government is also
requiring billing offices to refund co-payments for procedures
performed last year, that are now 100 percent covered, such as
dexoscans. This again demonstrates the government's disconnect with
the private sector. Businesses have closed their books on 2010
and have already planned their 2011 budgets. Now they being mandated
to look back.
And Connecticut is considering Sustinet, which is Obamacare with the
government run option? Officials need to step up and address this
issue now. Sadly, with Connecticut's liberal congressional delegation
and their cohorts, who control state government, don't expect action
anytime soon.
Obamacare, otherwise known as the Affordable Healthcare for America Act.
Although the bill's full force does not take effect until 2014 - not so
coincidentally after the next presidential election - it is already
turning into a bureaucratic nightmare, while proving once more why
government is so out of touch with the private sector.
Under the act - which apparently had to be passed to find out what was
in it - new Medicare fee schedules have been sent to every office
across the country. One billing office manager told me, "that wouldn't
be so bad, if the fees took effect this year, but they are retroactive
to 2010." Therein lies the dilemma.
Billing offices are being bombarded with paperwork. So much for the
pro-environment president, who never met a tree he didn't want to save.
Managers are being forced to sift through records from last year, in
many cases to make adjustments and send out refunds that amount to 24
cents. In some instances insurance providers are being billed $1.42. All of
this is not only leading to more of the aforementioned paperwork, but
sending our vulnerable senior citizen population into a state of agita.
In one town, for example, a 92-year-old gentleman got into his car
and drove to a billing office, puzzled as to why his supplemental
insurance carrier was asking him to fork over 92 cents for a procedure
that was performed and billed last year. The government is also
requiring billing offices to refund co-payments for procedures
performed last year, that are now 100 percent covered, such as
dexoscans. This again demonstrates the government's disconnect with
the private sector. Businesses have closed their books on 2010
and have already planned their 2011 budgets. Now they being mandated
to look back.
And Connecticut is considering Sustinet, which is Obamacare with the
government run option? Officials need to step up and address this
issue now. Sadly, with Connecticut's liberal congressional delegation
and their cohorts, who control state government, don't expect action
anytime soon.
Monday, March 28, 2011
STATE MAY BE BROKE NOW
Forget about Connecticut's projected $6B deficit over the next two
years. The question is whether the Nutmeg State is broke now. Today's
Republican American quotes State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier as saying
she wants a decision today, by the state Supreme Court.
At issue is Sen. Joe Markley's suit against the state about its
hidden tax on our electric bills. A surcharge on our bills,to help
CL&P and United Illuminating make infrastructure improvements,
was set to expire Dec. 31, 2010. In May of last year, against the
unanimous objection of Republicans, the Democrats voted to balance
the state budget, by allowing the surcharge to remain a part of our
electric bills. The money would go into the general fund to help
balance the budget.
That is when Markley, a Southington Republican, stepped in. He
sued on several fronts. For openers, he claimed the Department of
Utility Controls, which oversees the utility companies, is not a taxing
authority. He also said this was an inequitable tax, because not all
electric customers receive their electricity from CL&P or UI.
A superior court tossed Markley's case, claiming he had not exhausted
all possibilities with lawmakers. Undaunted, Markley appealed, but
before an appellate court could step in, the state Supreme Court took
up the case, because the state is running out of money. Connecticut
intends to rake in $646.6M from the hidden tax and the treasurer needs
to borrow money against that figure now, to keep state government in
business. That is why she is asking for a decision today. If the court
rules in favor of Markley, the state - which currently projects a minor
surplus for the current fiscal year - will be drowning in red ink now.
According to the newspaper story, the governor's office is not
revealing any contingency plans in the event of a court defeat, but the
bottom line is Connecticut, already facing a dire fiscal crisis, will
find calamity at its doorstep, instead of the front yard.
years. The question is whether the Nutmeg State is broke now. Today's
Republican American quotes State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier as saying
she wants a decision today, by the state Supreme Court.
At issue is Sen. Joe Markley's suit against the state about its
hidden tax on our electric bills. A surcharge on our bills,to help
CL&P and United Illuminating make infrastructure improvements,
was set to expire Dec. 31, 2010. In May of last year, against the
unanimous objection of Republicans, the Democrats voted to balance
the state budget, by allowing the surcharge to remain a part of our
electric bills. The money would go into the general fund to help
balance the budget.
That is when Markley, a Southington Republican, stepped in. He
sued on several fronts. For openers, he claimed the Department of
Utility Controls, which oversees the utility companies, is not a taxing
authority. He also said this was an inequitable tax, because not all
electric customers receive their electricity from CL&P or UI.
A superior court tossed Markley's case, claiming he had not exhausted
all possibilities with lawmakers. Undaunted, Markley appealed, but
before an appellate court could step in, the state Supreme Court took
up the case, because the state is running out of money. Connecticut
intends to rake in $646.6M from the hidden tax and the treasurer needs
to borrow money against that figure now, to keep state government in
business. That is why she is asking for a decision today. If the court
rules in favor of Markley, the state - which currently projects a minor
surplus for the current fiscal year - will be drowning in red ink now.
According to the newspaper story, the governor's office is not
revealing any contingency plans in the event of a court defeat, but the
bottom line is Connecticut, already facing a dire fiscal crisis, will
find calamity at its doorstep, instead of the front yard.
Friday, March 18, 2011
MORE UNION WORKERS FOR CONNECTICUT?
If you don't think Connecticut's General Assembly isn't beholden
to the public and private sector unions, you are not paying attention.
While states throughout the country examine how unions have placed
unbearable stress on their financial infrastructure - to the point many
are teetering on the brink of collapse - the legislature's Labor and
Public Employees committee gave approval to a bill that allows just
about every state employee to unionize. That means, even legislative
aids earning more than $100,000 annually, plus benefits, could join
a public sector union. State managers and even public university
graduate assistants could also be part of the union. In fact, 99.5
percent of all state employees could unionize. Currently, 10,000 of
the 50,000 state employees do not have the right to collective
bargaining. That would change, if the General Assembly passes this
bill.
Are you sitting yet? It gets worse. The legislature's Human Services
Committee, as a gift to the Service Employees International Union,
the group which worked hard to get everybody from Barack Obama to
Dannel Malloy elected, voted to allow any business, even a one person
business, to join a union, if they contract with the state of
Connecticut. That means, if you are a day-care provider or personal-
care attendant, you could join a union. California, Oregon, Michigan
and Massachusetts have similar legislation. Not coincidentally,
these states are facing financial Armageddon.
And some wonder why I play the Soviet Union anthem, as Connecticut's
anthem, when I start my radio program?
Liberals are moving fast in pushing their legislative agenda this
session, for fear Connecticut voters are starting to pay attention.
They may never have this perfect storm again, with leftists controlling
the Assembly, governor's chair and all the state constitutional
offices. If they are successful, the only item missing will be
the annual May Day parade past the reviewing stand, although that could
be buried as an amendment to one of these bills. After all, as
Democrats who voted for these bills said, they passed them even though
they were not sure what was in them, because they did not want the
bills to die in committee.
Mark Twain once said, "Few men of first class ability can afford to
let their affairs go to ruin, while they fool away their time in
Legislatures." These days, Connecticut is paying a price for those
who have decided to "fool away their time."
to the public and private sector unions, you are not paying attention.
While states throughout the country examine how unions have placed
unbearable stress on their financial infrastructure - to the point many
are teetering on the brink of collapse - the legislature's Labor and
Public Employees committee gave approval to a bill that allows just
about every state employee to unionize. That means, even legislative
aids earning more than $100,000 annually, plus benefits, could join
a public sector union. State managers and even public university
graduate assistants could also be part of the union. In fact, 99.5
percent of all state employees could unionize. Currently, 10,000 of
the 50,000 state employees do not have the right to collective
bargaining. That would change, if the General Assembly passes this
bill.
Are you sitting yet? It gets worse. The legislature's Human Services
Committee, as a gift to the Service Employees International Union,
the group which worked hard to get everybody from Barack Obama to
Dannel Malloy elected, voted to allow any business, even a one person
business, to join a union, if they contract with the state of
Connecticut. That means, if you are a day-care provider or personal-
care attendant, you could join a union. California, Oregon, Michigan
and Massachusetts have similar legislation. Not coincidentally,
these states are facing financial Armageddon.
And some wonder why I play the Soviet Union anthem, as Connecticut's
anthem, when I start my radio program?
Liberals are moving fast in pushing their legislative agenda this
session, for fear Connecticut voters are starting to pay attention.
They may never have this perfect storm again, with leftists controlling
the Assembly, governor's chair and all the state constitutional
offices. If they are successful, the only item missing will be
the annual May Day parade past the reviewing stand, although that could
be buried as an amendment to one of these bills. After all, as
Democrats who voted for these bills said, they passed them even though
they were not sure what was in them, because they did not want the
bills to die in committee.
Mark Twain once said, "Few men of first class ability can afford to
let their affairs go to ruin, while they fool away their time in
Legislatures." These days, Connecticut is paying a price for those
who have decided to "fool away their time."
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
MALLOY-WYMAN PANDER TO NEW HAVEN
Make no mistake about it, Gov. Dannel Malloy D/WFP and his Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman D/WFP
are backing HB6390, the bill that would allow illegal aliens to pay in-state tuition at
state run universities, as a political payoff to New Haven's legislative delegation.
New Haven is a well known sanctuary city, which has 60 percent of its budget
underwritten by the taxpayers of Connecticut. It's mayor, John DeStefano, beat Malloy for
the Democrat party gubernatorial nomination in 2006. In order to garner support from
the mayor and New Haven's voting base, Malloy-Wyman threw the U.S. Constitution under
the bus. Not only did DeStefano speak at Tuesday's public hearing about HB6390, others
supporting it were Sen. Majority Leader Martin Looney D-New Haven, Sen. Toni Harp
D-New Haven and Rep. Juan Candelaria D-New Haven.
Backers of the bill are quick to label it "Connecticut's Dream Act," and an opportunity
to provide in-state tuition "for the children of undocumented parents," but that is a
ruse. A child born in this country to an illegal alien - a so called anchor baby - is
a U.S. citizen under the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, a document which
doesn't mean much to state legislators these days. Translation, this bill is designed
specifically for illegal aliens. Meanwhile, those born in this state to parents,
who are U.S. citizens, may have to wait in line to enroll in their state university
system.
The savings for those breaking the law would be enormous. Instead of deportation, they
would face a $16,000 a year tuition break at UConn or a $7,000 discount at one of the
state's community colleges.
A recent study by Northeastern University, located in that bastion of liberalism, Boston,
showed that more than 300,000 illegal aliens found work in the USA last year. As
Connecticut's jobless rate remains at record highs, one must ask how many illegal aliens
over the years, have found jobs here and why should their children be allowed to attend
our state universities, while law-abiding citizens are left waiting at the gate?
At one of his infamous town hall meetings, when asked why he supports HB6390, Gov. Malloy said,
"that's where I draw the line." Translation, a person sworn to uphold the constitution,
has joined his party ranks to disobey it, all in the name of securing another voting bloc
at the expense of law-abiding citizens. How's that for "hope and change?"
are backing HB6390, the bill that would allow illegal aliens to pay in-state tuition at
state run universities, as a political payoff to New Haven's legislative delegation.
New Haven is a well known sanctuary city, which has 60 percent of its budget
underwritten by the taxpayers of Connecticut. It's mayor, John DeStefano, beat Malloy for
the Democrat party gubernatorial nomination in 2006. In order to garner support from
the mayor and New Haven's voting base, Malloy-Wyman threw the U.S. Constitution under
the bus. Not only did DeStefano speak at Tuesday's public hearing about HB6390, others
supporting it were Sen. Majority Leader Martin Looney D-New Haven, Sen. Toni Harp
D-New Haven and Rep. Juan Candelaria D-New Haven.
Backers of the bill are quick to label it "Connecticut's Dream Act," and an opportunity
to provide in-state tuition "for the children of undocumented parents," but that is a
ruse. A child born in this country to an illegal alien - a so called anchor baby - is
a U.S. citizen under the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, a document which
doesn't mean much to state legislators these days. Translation, this bill is designed
specifically for illegal aliens. Meanwhile, those born in this state to parents,
who are U.S. citizens, may have to wait in line to enroll in their state university
system.
The savings for those breaking the law would be enormous. Instead of deportation, they
would face a $16,000 a year tuition break at UConn or a $7,000 discount at one of the
state's community colleges.
A recent study by Northeastern University, located in that bastion of liberalism, Boston,
showed that more than 300,000 illegal aliens found work in the USA last year. As
Connecticut's jobless rate remains at record highs, one must ask how many illegal aliens
over the years, have found jobs here and why should their children be allowed to attend
our state universities, while law-abiding citizens are left waiting at the gate?
At one of his infamous town hall meetings, when asked why he supports HB6390, Gov. Malloy said,
"that's where I draw the line." Translation, a person sworn to uphold the constitution,
has joined his party ranks to disobey it, all in the name of securing another voting bloc
at the expense of law-abiding citizens. How's that for "hope and change?"
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