USE THE STUDENTS. SAVE MONEY!

The media has been making a big deal about how Connecticut was left off a New England tourism group's website, because the state hadn't paid its annual $100,000 dues. "Discover New England," launched in 1992 by the governors from the six New England states, was designed to promote New England as a tourist destination to Europeans. On the site's latest display, Connecticut is wiped off the map.
At issue is the Nutmeg State's current budget shortfall. In the recent spending plan, the state's tourism commission was given a near zero budget. No money translated into no 100Gs for Discover New England.
The Hartford Courant, which chose to make the "slight" its lead story in Saturday's edition, quoted Sue Norrington-Davies, Discover New England's executive director. "Action had to be taken to show the implication of these budget cuts. It's an unfortunate situation. We want Connecticut back on board. I assure, you."
But does the Portsmouth, NH group want Connecticut on board or does it just want to squeeze out 100Gs of tax dollars, the Nutmeg State does not have? Besides, who claims it's an unfortunate situation? The Republican-American reported last year, the state's tourism revenue rose last year, with no money in the tourism promotion budget.
Typically, Connecticut Democrats, who never met a government expenditure they didn't like, were quick to pounce on the spending shortchange. Colleen Flanagan, spokeswoman for soon-to-be Governor Dannel Malloy, told the Courant, "This is a perfect example of ways in which our state has been penny-wise and pound foolish."
Translation, when Malloy takes the oath, cash-strapped Connecticut will put the dough back in the tourism budget, including the 100Gs for Discover New England.
But here's an idea, that could save the taxpayers that coveted 100Gs. Launch a competition among our high school and college students to design a website, touting Connecticut tourism overseas. We have teenagers in our family - and I'm sure you do as well - who could do dances around our government bureaucrats, with their computer expertise. One 13-year-old in our family designs websites in a snap. Why are we automatically handing over $100,000 to a government-promoted group, when the answer is in our own backyard at very little cost?
The governor-elect has promised a new approach to government. (Wouldn't you love to have a dollar for every time a newly elected official has uttered that comment?) Here's a chance to prove it, with a program that promotes Connecticut tourism and education. The approach would not only be penny wise, but pound wise too.