House Republican Press Release

February 13, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

SESSION STARTS!

By State Representative John J. Ryan

I am back to that regular 150 + mile commute, and if I needed any further reminder why Gov. M. Jodi Rell continues to demonstrate absolutely unheard of voter approval ratings, her "State of the State Address" to open this year's Session last Wednesday did the trick !  After all, wouldn't you think that an elected official who enjoys a prohibitive (albeit early) lead in the polls, with a growing surplus balance, would want to "play it safe,” and be uncontroversial?  Obviously not Governor Rell!

Having already successfully tackled starting (and FUNDING) a transportation infrastructure improvement plan (where others spent years and years talking about doing "something" ) in her first year in office, in this year's "session starter" she took on a whole new host of Gubernatorial initiatives ! In just one speech, she [inter alia] : - trumped Democrat grousing about "slow job growth" by proposing reorganizing the State's 'alphabet soup' economic development agencies to get more action, and more importantly, more accountability to her as the Chief Executive of Connecticut;

- apparently anticipated the nearly simultaneous release of yet another report damning our state as one of the most highly taxed in the country, by calling for a new round of tax cuts, specifically referring to the newly-enacted (and disproportionately impacting on lower Fairfield County) estate tax, as well as that nefarious corporate tax surcharge;

 - co-opted yet another theme of her opponents by proposing the elimination of the property tax on cars (which is of particular onerous effect in the state's cities, which as we know are invariably represented by those same Democrats), at the same time making a major inroad on the mantra of "property tax reform";

- proposed further building on that transportation plan foundation already in place, with yet another 1/3 billion in funding;

- and showed her fiscally conservative depth of character by insisting on using the projected surplus, not for spending and more spending, but for saving in the Rainy Day Fund, and buying down more debt !

I have to admit, however, that I am disappointed that I was so right-on-target in my last column when I mentioned that doings in Hartford had become almost permanently partisan in nature; did you notice the comments from the legislative majority's leaders in reaction to the speech (don't take my word for it, please read them in the media for yourself!).  Don't you think that some leader not in Rell's party might have attempted to sound gracious and say something like "she makes some very interesting points and we look forward to working with the Governor this year on these issues”? Is it any wonder that under these circumstances Rell comes across as sincere, knowledgeable and gracious? One can only hope for her sake that Rell's opponents keep up the same approach! And it certainly promises to be an interesting, and highly partisan, General Assembly Session.

Please feel free to contact me with your concerns and issues. As your state representative, it is my job, and my priority to represent you and to make sure that your needs and concerns are addressed at the capitol.  You can write to me at Room 4200, Legislative Office Building, Hartford, CT 06106-1591, send me e-mail at John.Ryan@housegop.state.ct.us or call my office toll-free at 1-800-842-1423.