It appears the deck has been cleared for former controversial state Sen. William Aniskovich, 48, to become the next chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party. His emergence, as the front runner to succeed Chris Healy - the election for new chair is later this month - has set off a firestorm.
Nancy DiNardo, chairwoman of the state Democrat Party, sent out a release, Wednesday, reminding everyone of Anikovich's ties to the corrupt Rowland administration. Then, Hartford Courant columnist and former state Sen. Kevin Rennie blew the lid off the story, writing what many people have known for years, that Aniskovich made Rep. Anthony Weiner look like a choir boy, when he served in the state senate. Aniskovich admitted to Rennie that he cheated on his wife, Jennifer, who received a plum job from then Gov. John Rowland to head the state tourism department. Meanwhile, DiNardo was reminding everyone about the numerous fines Aniskovich's senate campaign had received, in addition to his relationship to the corrupt Rowland.
However, it's Aniskovich's sexual peccadilloes and sweetheart deals his business received from then Gov. Rowland, that has Democrats salivating over his possible election. Aniskovich's mental health and substance abuse clinic in Stonington, received numerous state contracts, while Rowland was governor.
Aniskovich claims his playboy days are over, his wife has forgiven him and he now has a strong marriage. He also told Rennie his clinic no longer does business with the state, but the ever persistent Rennie did some research and discovered his Stonington Institute still holds two contracts with the state.
Meanwhile, I am told former congressman and defeated U.S. Senate candidate Rob Simmons and former GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley have emerged as kingmakers, pushing the Aniskovich candidacy, by cutting deals with several candidates, who have "suddenly" dropped out of the race. Simmons told the Courant, "It's really too bad we have to go back seven, eight, nine 10 years to make a judgement about somebody..." A laughable comment, when you consider Simmons was willing to reach back longer than that, when sabotaging Linda McMahon's senate candidacy.
Supporters say Aniskovich has the talent to "articulate Republican principles." Apparently family values aren't among them. Rather than unite the Republican Party, the choice of Aniskovich will serve to split it even more. And the argument that "we have all made mistakes" doesn't cut it. Yes, only Aniskovich and his wife know what their marriage is, but life's hard lessons, do exclude a person's past from certain occupations. An Aniskovich chairmanship would serve as a reminder of a Republican Party's corrupt past, under the felonious and polarizing Rowland.
Say what you want about Healy, but the party did make some inroads under his leadership in state and municipal elections. The GOP has come too far to be rearranging chairs on the deck of the Titantic.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
WELCOME TO THE PORTA POTTY STATE
Now Dannel 88 has really gone and done it. He's taken away our rest areas, and it even has some Democrats, crossing their legs in disgust. It seems the Democrats, who voted for the Governor's budget to see what was in it, are now finding out that among the Governor's "cuts" in a budget that increases spending by $1B, is the closing of rest areas not operated by commercial enterprises. The first to go will be the Willington rest areas on both sides of I-84, closing July 1st. The measure will save the state a whopping $400,000. Have to replenish those EBT cards to preserve the safety net, you know.
Even Rep. Antonio Guerrera, D-Rocky Hill, is in a snit. The co-chair of the General Assembly's Transportation committee says the proposal was never put to his panel by the governor's people. Apparently he was one of those who voted "yes" on the budget bill, before reading it.
Michael Riley, the head of the Motor Transport Association, a group representing truckers, is also befuddled, saying the governor can spend millions on a Hartford-New Britain busway that very few people will use, but is willing to shutdown a rest area on I-84 at which 50,000 motor vehicles will stop, during the July 4th weekend.
Borrowing on Republican Sen. Michael McLachlen's idea that Connecticut needs to change it's moniker from the "Constitution State," because Democrats have steered the state so far to the left, Dannel 88's rest area crackdown has now set up numerous name-change possibilities. Perhaps we can become the "Porta Potty State." Obviously we will need one, while driving that stretch of I-84 on our way to "freedom" in Massachusetts. Or maybe the "Constipation State" might work. It will be a fitting condition in which to be, while traversing I-84.
I suspect, Dannel 88 will mysteriously find the money and keep the rest areas open, allowing he and his fellow liberals to appear as if they have "heard the public." Meanwhile, they will have hoodwinked us into the largest tax hike in Connecticut history, come July 1st.
For now, however, the rest area closures have given new meaning to "hold it, until the pike," or "are we there yet."
Even Rep. Antonio Guerrera, D-Rocky Hill, is in a snit. The co-chair of the General Assembly's Transportation committee says the proposal was never put to his panel by the governor's people. Apparently he was one of those who voted "yes" on the budget bill, before reading it.
Michael Riley, the head of the Motor Transport Association, a group representing truckers, is also befuddled, saying the governor can spend millions on a Hartford-New Britain busway that very few people will use, but is willing to shutdown a rest area on I-84 at which 50,000 motor vehicles will stop, during the July 4th weekend.
Borrowing on Republican Sen. Michael McLachlen's idea that Connecticut needs to change it's moniker from the "Constitution State," because Democrats have steered the state so far to the left, Dannel 88's rest area crackdown has now set up numerous name-change possibilities. Perhaps we can become the "Porta Potty State." Obviously we will need one, while driving that stretch of I-84 on our way to "freedom" in Massachusetts. Or maybe the "Constipation State" might work. It will be a fitting condition in which to be, while traversing I-84.
I suspect, Dannel 88 will mysteriously find the money and keep the rest areas open, allowing he and his fellow liberals to appear as if they have "heard the public." Meanwhile, they will have hoodwinked us into the largest tax hike in Connecticut history, come July 1st.
For now, however, the rest area closures have given new meaning to "hold it, until the pike," or "are we there yet."
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Did Malloy Bet On The Wrong Horse?
Governor Dannel P. Malloy's handpicked choice to run the state Department of Environmental Protection, Daniel Esty, is at it again. You remember our environmentally conscience commissioner, who was apparently for higher gasoline prices, before he was against them?
The commissioner, who told Talk of Connecticut legendary talk show host Brad Davis, he never advocated for higher gasoline prices, even though he wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times and was quoted in a New Haven Register story as telling high students prices should be higher, "Let's make people pay for the harm they cause," in the same interview touted natural gas as the way to go. "The big opportunity we have, that has emerged in the last couple of years, is increased natural gas; huge new supplies of natural gas, which I think people are going after. It's one of the reasons we are going to see electric rates coming down in the state of Connecticut. We're going to buy more of this cheap natural gas, which is the major source of electricity, beyond nuclear power in this state.
"So you should expect to see electric rates coming down over the course of this year, in part because of access to these new American natural gas supplies."
So confident was the commissioner in his belief, he repeated the comment to Davis.
Now comes word in the latest edition of the Hartford Business Journal, electricity prices in Connecticut will skyrocket this summer. The reason? The price spike in natural gas. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission predicts a 22 percent increase in our electricity rates in New England, with Connecticut's likely to be higher. Worse, other costs that drive electricity price spikes have not gone up. FERC blames the exorbitant hike in our rates solely on the increase in natural gas prices, the same "cheap" natural gas Commissioner Esty predicts will lower our prices.
One can only hope Esty doesn't make a pick in next week's Belmont Stakes. What has become patently obvious is that Dannel 88 has bet on the wrong horse to lead our DEP.
The commissioner, who told Talk of Connecticut legendary talk show host Brad Davis, he never advocated for higher gasoline prices, even though he wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times and was quoted in a New Haven Register story as telling high students prices should be higher, "Let's make people pay for the harm they cause," in the same interview touted natural gas as the way to go. "The big opportunity we have, that has emerged in the last couple of years, is increased natural gas; huge new supplies of natural gas, which I think people are going after. It's one of the reasons we are going to see electric rates coming down in the state of Connecticut. We're going to buy more of this cheap natural gas, which is the major source of electricity, beyond nuclear power in this state.
"So you should expect to see electric rates coming down over the course of this year, in part because of access to these new American natural gas supplies."
So confident was the commissioner in his belief, he repeated the comment to Davis.
Now comes word in the latest edition of the Hartford Business Journal, electricity prices in Connecticut will skyrocket this summer. The reason? The price spike in natural gas. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission predicts a 22 percent increase in our electricity rates in New England, with Connecticut's likely to be higher. Worse, other costs that drive electricity price spikes have not gone up. FERC blames the exorbitant hike in our rates solely on the increase in natural gas prices, the same "cheap" natural gas Commissioner Esty predicts will lower our prices.
One can only hope Esty doesn't make a pick in next week's Belmont Stakes. What has become patently obvious is that Dannel 88 has bet on the wrong horse to lead our DEP.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Our Techno-savvy Governor
Governor Dannel P. Malloy's anti-business budget won't take effect, until July 1, but already the fallout has begun. Upset that the budget will tax Internet sales, Overstock.com is withdrawing from Connecticut's online market. Those, who get hurt, however, are the Connecticut entrepreneurs, who turned a buck with their Internet business savvy.
People from Connecticut, whose websites linked to Overstock, would receive a commission from Overstock, if business was generated from their website. Thanks to Dannel 88's budget, Overstock will now be taxed for those sales. So they are leaving the state, drying up another income source for the state's people.
What does this all mean? Well, the Connecticut Internet entrepreneur, unless their name was Timothy Geithner, presumably reported income made from these transactions. The state will no longer receive that income tax. And Overstock, along with others, is now withdrawing their business from Connecticut.
Dannel 88's reaction to this action? "I have never purchased anything from Overstock personally and I am not all that familiar with how much business they are doing in the state, to tell you the truth," he told the Republican-American. This from the governor who wants to attract high tech jobs to the state and proclaims "Connecticut is open for business." Meanwhile, those people with the ability to earn money from the Internet are penalized, thanks to the largest tax hike in Connecticut history.
What the Overstock story exemplifies, even if Dannel 88 has "never purchased anything from" them, is that the exodus has begun, as predicted by those intelligent enough to critically assess Dannel 88's budget. And it isn't even June.
People from Connecticut, whose websites linked to Overstock, would receive a commission from Overstock, if business was generated from their website. Thanks to Dannel 88's budget, Overstock will now be taxed for those sales. So they are leaving the state, drying up another income source for the state's people.
What does this all mean? Well, the Connecticut Internet entrepreneur, unless their name was Timothy Geithner, presumably reported income made from these transactions. The state will no longer receive that income tax. And Overstock, along with others, is now withdrawing their business from Connecticut.
Dannel 88's reaction to this action? "I have never purchased anything from Overstock personally and I am not all that familiar with how much business they are doing in the state, to tell you the truth," he told the Republican-American. This from the governor who wants to attract high tech jobs to the state and proclaims "Connecticut is open for business." Meanwhile, those people with the ability to earn money from the Internet are penalized, thanks to the largest tax hike in Connecticut history.
What the Overstock story exemplifies, even if Dannel 88 has "never purchased anything from" them, is that the exodus has begun, as predicted by those intelligent enough to critically assess Dannel 88's budget. And it isn't even June.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Did DEP Commissioner Dupe Radio Audience?
Governor Dannel Malloy's handpicked choice to lead the Department of Environmental Protection, Commissioner Daniel Esty, is either playing fast and loose with the truth, or was for higher gasoline prices, before he was against them. Whatever, he was not being true to the audience of my colleague, Brad Davis, during the Brad Davis radio broadcast Thursday morning, heard on five radio stations across the state of Connecticut. Esty, a true believer in global warming, has been making the rounds, advocating higher gasoline prices, saying, "Let's make people pay for the harm they cause." It lead to the following exchange on the legendary Davis' broadcast:
Davis: A state senator told me, and I had trouble believing it to tell you the truth, that you made the comment, recently, that you thought gasoline prices should be hire than they are?
Esty: Totally untrue.
Davis: Thank you. I couldn't believe it.
Esty: That's a crazy suggestion.
Davis: But have you heard that?
Esty: The New York Times put a crazy headline on something that I wrote. Of course, I didn't say that. I would never support it. I support cheap energy. A different energy future, where we are not vulnerable to these kind of price spikes, that are causing real pain for all of us.
In reality, Esty not only is promoting higher gasoline prices, he said it and he wrote it in the New York Times article he is now attempting to throw under the bus - electric powered, I would imagine.
Last Monday, appearing before the Common Ground High School, a charter school in New Haven, the DEP Commissioner lambasted the oil industry to impression-minded students. New Haven Register reporter, Abbe Smith, who covered the commissioner's appearance, also wrote: "And he (Esty) told the students about an opinion piece he co-wrote for the New York Times last month that advocated for the establishment of a carbon emissions charge that would translate to higher gas prices for Americans. He said the purpose of the emissions charge is relatively simple: It would incentivize a shift away from reliance on fossil fuels. 'Let's make people pay for the harm they cause,' he said."
And in that now famous NYT piece, Esty not only touted a carbon emissions charge, he wrote, "An emissions charge is not a radical idea; making people pay for the harm they cause lies at the heart of property rights.
"Our proposal would apply to all greenhouse gas emissions, so that everybody, and every fossil-fuel-dependent form of energy, would be included. Oil companies would pay for every gallon of gas or oil delivered. Yes, these costs could be passed on to consumers, but this is what motivates changes in behavior and technological investments."
And now the Commissioner is claiming he never advocated for higher gasoline prices? His doublespeak may be why Sen. Joe Markley, R-Southington told me on my radio show last week, "In Dan Esty, we've got a very smart, very articulate and very dangerous man, a real idealogue, a real left wing, aggressive person, that has a vision, which is anti-growth, anti-consumer, anti, let's say the structure of American society."
The Commissioner not only needs to come clean on his verbal emission, he needs to apologize for duping a radio audience and its legendary broadcaster.
Davis: A state senator told me, and I had trouble believing it to tell you the truth, that you made the comment, recently, that you thought gasoline prices should be hire than they are?
Esty: Totally untrue.
Davis: Thank you. I couldn't believe it.
Esty: That's a crazy suggestion.
Davis: But have you heard that?
Esty: The New York Times put a crazy headline on something that I wrote. Of course, I didn't say that. I would never support it. I support cheap energy. A different energy future, where we are not vulnerable to these kind of price spikes, that are causing real pain for all of us.
In reality, Esty not only is promoting higher gasoline prices, he said it and he wrote it in the New York Times article he is now attempting to throw under the bus - electric powered, I would imagine.
Last Monday, appearing before the Common Ground High School, a charter school in New Haven, the DEP Commissioner lambasted the oil industry to impression-minded students. New Haven Register reporter, Abbe Smith, who covered the commissioner's appearance, also wrote: "And he (Esty) told the students about an opinion piece he co-wrote for the New York Times last month that advocated for the establishment of a carbon emissions charge that would translate to higher gas prices for Americans. He said the purpose of the emissions charge is relatively simple: It would incentivize a shift away from reliance on fossil fuels. 'Let's make people pay for the harm they cause,' he said."
And in that now famous NYT piece, Esty not only touted a carbon emissions charge, he wrote, "An emissions charge is not a radical idea; making people pay for the harm they cause lies at the heart of property rights.
"Our proposal would apply to all greenhouse gas emissions, so that everybody, and every fossil-fuel-dependent form of energy, would be included. Oil companies would pay for every gallon of gas or oil delivered. Yes, these costs could be passed on to consumers, but this is what motivates changes in behavior and technological investments."
And now the Commissioner is claiming he never advocated for higher gasoline prices? His doublespeak may be why Sen. Joe Markley, R-Southington told me on my radio show last week, "In Dan Esty, we've got a very smart, very articulate and very dangerous man, a real idealogue, a real left wing, aggressive person, that has a vision, which is anti-growth, anti-consumer, anti, let's say the structure of American society."
The Commissioner not only needs to come clean on his verbal emission, he needs to apologize for duping a radio audience and its legendary broadcaster.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
"New Deal Same Ol Same Ol
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.
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.
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.
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