House Republican Press Release

December 17, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Double-Checking Santa’s List

By State Representative John J. Ryan

There seem to be (as usual) too many topics to talk about, and not enough 2007 left to cover enough of them, and maybe I should start on Christmas shopping someday, and WAIT A MINUTE! We need to do some holiday sentiments, on Hartford topics! (And maybe even some lumps of coal …..) So:

- Can we wish that Hartford can go back to being less like Washington and more like it used to be? It doesn’t seem that long ago meaning the mid and late ‘80s, when ( as the Vice President for Governmental Affairs for the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce ) I would lead a tour of the Capitol ( and that new Legislative Office Building !) for a group of local business folks to visit legislators on Connecticut Business Day; we would all agree that thankfully “State Government” isn’t like that nasty Federal Government where everything is political all the time, officials are partisan as opposed to personable, where the most important skill is endless marketing and self-promotion…….well, things sure have changed ! And also on that theme…..

- Can we also wish that the media not start speculating on future elections for State government when the last election has only recently concluded? I have heard many folks (justifiably] complain that they hate how candidates for Congress announce and start campaigning only months after someone is elected, or that Presidential election politicking seemingly starts shortly after an Inauguration; so why did the daily print media start on stories last week that House Speaker Jim Amann might be a candidate for Governor (next up in Nov. 2010!)?

- Can we hope that said media begin to perceive the obvious more than occasionally?

I have to admit, I was stunned last Friday when I saw an editorial in The (Norwalk) Hour entitled “General Assembly desire for special sessions a waste”! They actually noticed. Please keep paying attention!

- Can we hope that our elected officials also begin to perceive the obvious? I have nothing against Sen. Chris Dodd, but is it ever going to occur to him that (despite lots of effort ) he isn’t getting past 1% in the polls, but in the meantime ( along with quite a few others of BOTH parties ! ) is apparently missing lots of votes to be out campaigning for a different job ! And why are so many “elected officials” (I did not say politicians) apparently running for the next highest job? Have you noticed the stories (e.g.) page A14 of Sunday’s Advocate, concerning the newly elected Bridgeport Mayor who has not yet (and apparently may not) resign his State Senate seat?  Is anyone content to do the position they already have, having gone to a lot of trouble to get it (e.g. assorted football coaches who are switching jobs)?

- Can we expect someday to see a story: Taxes going down! Or: Duplicative, money-wasting government programs eliminated ? Maybe : New government initiative funding conditioned on successful results.

- And instead of endless nasty letters to the editor from those who have nothing but

totally partisan politics in mind, can we please have more letters ( and replies ! ) like eight year old Virginia O’Hanlan’s to the New York Sun only 110 years ago ?

And may Santa be good to you and your family !

As always 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, and Hartford, CT 06106-1591, send me e-mail at John.Ryan@housegop.ct.gov or call my office toll-free at 1-800-842-1423.