Dan Roberti, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 5th District, today charged House Speaker Chris Donovan scuttled a legislative initiative that would have created jobs for state residents, including returning veterans.
"During the past legislative session, Speaker Donovan's stubborn stance on the minimum wage stymied an important initiative that would have jump-started job creation in the state," Mr. Roberti said. When Speaker Donovan couldn't convince the state Senate to pass his increase in the minimum wage, the Senate job-creation bill was not taken up in the House, Mr. Roberti charged.
Mr. Roberti pointed to the Hartford Courant's take on the demise of the job-creation bill: "Letting the jobs bill die was short-sighted. To raise wages, first there have to be jobs."
The job-creation bill would have increased opportunities for businesses to apply for loans and grants, and pay salaries of new employees. Grants to businesses hiring veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq were also included in the proposal.
"A measure that would have helped small businesses was sacrificed to the Speaker's political agenda: horse-trading the jobs bill for the wage hike in an effort to earn a halo from voters. That kind of politicking has paralyzed Congress. Do we want to send someone to Washington who will foster further gridlock?"
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"The death of measures like the state Senate's jobs bill is a blow to hurting state families. Jobs and the economy is the number one concern here in the 5th District. This is not the time for political posturing surrounding this critical issue. In Congress, my legislative style will favor compromise over controversy."
Donovan had to know that he would be open to criticism by his opponents over his stance on the jobs bill...I'm just surprised it took this long for one of his opponents to criticize him over this issue.
When asked for comment, Donovan's Campaign Manager Gabe Rosenberg said:
"Chris is proud to stand up for a raise in the minimum wage. Passing a minimum wage increase is vital to Connecticut's economy and will help families in need. Chris has always stood up for working families and our progressive principles, and he always will."
It certainly appeared that StudentsFirst, Excel Brideport, Teach for America - Connecticut Chapter and other groups pushing Governor Malloy's "education reform" bill engaged in lobbying activities that were not properly reported to the Office of State Ethics. If they did engage in those activities they could face significant penalties and fines for breaking Connecticut law.
The problem with answering the question is that there is a state law the exempts ethics complaints from Connecticut's Freedom of Information law and sets up a different standard that give extensive protection to any group or person who is being charged with an ethics violation.
Innocent until proven guilty is the hallmark of our system of justice, but at least in criminal law, the public has a right to know whether someone has or has not been arrested.
But a very different standard exists when it comes to protecting public officials or those who may have violated the state's ethics code.
Although these provisions were intended to protect people from being hit with frivolous ethics complaints, the present law actually prevents the public from getting information that it has a right to know.
However, a complaint alleging a violation of the Code of Ethics must remain confidential until one of the following criteria is met: (1) after a judge trial referee makes a finding of probable cause, (2) upon the request of the respondent or (3) upon an agreed resolution of the matter by consent order.
This means that while the Office of State Ethics is investigating a complaint, no one, including the person who filed the complainant, the respondent, any witnesses or the Board Members and staff of the Office of State Ethics may disclose the existence of a complaint.
And there is even a $10,000 penalty should the person filling the complaint reveals that he or she has taken that action.
Talk about a disincentive to step forward and file a complaint!
So the quick answer is that we don't know if investigations are or are not presently taking place.
The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) is moving forward to investigate the charges of campaign finance law violations by the campaign of congressional candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley in connection with Rowland-Gate. The FEC has notified the campaign of Wilson-Foley rival Mike Clark that filed the complaint that it is moving forward.
"[T]he FEC did send the campaign a letter which assigned the complaint a MUR (Matter Under Review) Number," a Clark campaign official tells The Hanging Shad. "This essentially means the matter is now under their control and is moving through their confidential process." The complaint centers around former Gov. John Rowland "advising" the Wilson-Foley campaign as a volunteer while simultaneously being paid as a "consultant" by Wilson-Foley's husband, businessman Brian Foley.
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Meanwhile, the two most prominent radio stations in Connecticut have become part of the controversy. The excellent show "Where We Live" on WNPR, hosted by the incomparable John Dankosky, was stiffed by Wilson-Foley because she feared questions about Rowland. Dankosky says campaign chief strategist Chris Healy told him they were cancelling the scheduled appearance on Dankosky's show after hearing the station promo for it mentioning the Rowland controversy. "He said that she wants to talk about the issues, not about Rowland. But they knew full well that all topics were on the table, including the Rowland connection," Dankosky said. "How do I know? They booked the show with us on 5/11 - more than three weeks after your [Register Citizen's 5th district race blog] initial stories on Rowland's connection to the campaign, and a two full weeks after details of her husband's dealings with Rowland became public.
Foregoing the pomp and circumstance of announcing her retirement before the end of the legislative session, longtime state Sen. Eileen Daily of Westbrook announced Tuesday that she won't be running for re-election in the fall.
Daily, 69, said Tuesday that she made the decision this past weekend after attending a memorial service for her sister-in-law, who died last year. She's been a state senator for 20 years.
"It made me think about how short time is," Daily said.
With two grandchildren living in Boston where she grew up, Daily said she wants to spend more time with her family.
"I've been to dance lessons and hockey lessons, but I've never been to a school play," Daily said.
And the long hours and late nights of this past legislative session took their toll on Daily, who once ran for re-election with two broken legs.
"The past year holding office has become more physically demanding for me and it would be difficult to initiate a re-election campaign," Daily said in a press release. "I've been diagnosed with cancer, endured chemotherapy and associated treatment, and am presently recuperating from a broken ankle."
The two Republicans considering running for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District have made their decisions - and they are both jumping in.
As reported yesterday, East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica will be making his announcement official tomorrow. And today comes word that Doug Dubitsky, a lawyer from North Windham , is also launching a bid to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney.
CT SEN: Bysiewicz files paperwork to primary...and takes a shot at Chris Murphy.
Press release:
Susan's plan would crack down on the casino style culture that is embraced by Wall Street and recently led to JP Morgan's $2 billion trading loss.
"It is clear that despite the fact that the middle class and the broader economy is still paying for the damage done by Wall Street that they are back to their old ways playing fast and loose with other people's money and its threating our entire economy," said Bysiewicz
Bysiewicz's opponent in the Democratic Primary has received nearly half a million dollars from Wall Street and $11,500 from JP Morgan. In May of 2010 he voted to keep the hedge fund loop-hole open which allows the wealthiest among us, like Mitt Romney, to pay less in taxes than most middle class families.
"Chris Murphy had a chance to stand with the middle class to close the hedge fund loophole and provide unemployment insurance, tuition tax credits, and a jobs program. Instead he voted against closing the hedge fund loophole," said Bysiewicz. "We need someone who will be strong enough to stand up to Wall Street and the corporate special interests in order to give the middle class a fair shake," Bysiewicz continued.
I guess it's safe to say that after last night's convention, the each of candidates on the Democratic primary ticket are in full spin mode.
Donovan press release:
The Connecticut Democratic Party today at the 5th Congressional District convention overwhelmingly endorsed Speaker of the House Chris Donovan as the 5th Congressional District candidate for Congress in 2012. Donovan won the Democratic Party's endorsement by beating both of his competitors by more than 3-to-1; one of the largest margins in a contested convention in recent memory.
"I am honored to have the support of so many hard-working Democratic activists, and the endorsement of the Democratic party," said Donovan. "I will fight every day for the right of every Connecticut family, and every American, to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. That is what I have done in Connecticut, and it's what I will do in Congress."
"Not everyone shares the values of fairness, dignity, and respect," continued Donovan. "Congressional Republicans are actively blocking job creation measures, attempting to destroy Medicare and Social Security, and waging a war on women's access to health care and contraception. In Congress, I will fight for all of our families to have access to great jobs with strong benefits, to Medicare and Social Security as they age, and I will fight to make sure that every woman has access to the health care and contraception that they need."
Esty press release:
Congressional candidate and former State Representative Elizabeth Esty won an automatic spot on the Democratic primary ballot at the 5th District Democratic Convention Monday evening. With the support of 20% of the delegates, Esty exceeded the number of votes needed to get on the ballot and will go on to face Speaker Chris Donovan in the August 14th Democratic primary.
"Tonight, 5th District Democrats have chosen to have a primary election to determine the best candidate to keep the 5th District blue in November and get Washington focused on job creation," Esty said. "Democrats in central and northwest Connecticut know that the eventual nominee must be able to go toe-to-toe with the Republicans and appeal to the independents who make up 44% of 5th District voters. I'm incredibly grateful to the delegates who supported me tonight and who have given me the opportunity to make my case to all Democratic voters across the district. I'm looking forward to a spirited primary campaign, and I'm going to continue to focus on my plan to create jobs by reinvigorating manufacturing, supporting vocational education and apprenticeship programs, and helping small businesses get streamlined access to capital."
"There will be a primary election in August, and that's a result our campaign is very comfortable with," Esty campaign spokesman Jeb Fain said. "Elizabeth Esty is the only candidate in this race who has actually won elections in tough swing districts before. With the largest fundraising total of every 5th District candidate and a grassroots campaign that has brought in supporters from every corner of the district, Elizabeth has already shown that she can the raise the resources and build the organization needed to win."
Roberti press release:
Democrat Dan Roberti has secured a spot on the ballot for the August 14th primary for the 5th District Congressional seat.
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"I am elated that I won the delegate support needed to take a spot on the ballot for the primary," Mr. Roberti said. "I am confident I can win the primary and keep the seat Democratic come November."
By qualifying Monday, Mr. Roberti is guaranteed a line on the primary ballot. "The vote tonight indicates that a sizeable segment of the party believes the nomination should be decided by Democratic voters at the ballot box," Mr. Roberti asserted.
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Mr. Roberti thanked all the delegates that supported him at the convention, pointing out that he garnered support from across the district. "I'm grateful for all the support I received from my backers," he said.
"Given my campaign's investments in infrastructure and continued success in fund-raising, I am not only best situated to win the primary, but also most prepared to take on the Republicans in November."
We're now officially in the silly season...let the craziness begin!
Today, Democratic delegates in the 5th district will cast their ballots and endorse either Chris Donovan, Elizabeth Esty, or Dan Roberti as their choice for Congress.
I'll be on hand at the Rotella Magnet School (380 Pierpont Rd, Waterbury CT) to cover tonight's convention. Depending on the set-up, I'll be able to provide a live video stream of the proceedings.
If you wish to comment on the convention via Twitter, use the hashtag #ct5convention.
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