Lawmakers praise UConn teams

It was Husky Day at the Capitol today, and House Speaker Chris Donovan, D-Meriden, led his chamber in a cheer.

"We're the House," Donovan said. "We're a crowd."

"U-C-O-N-N," the state representatives shouted, illustrating the letters using their hands.

The UConn women's basketball team, the men's basketball team and the football team were all subject to the cheer, but it was only the women's team -- national champions -- that got two cheers. At Donovan's urging, House members also chanted, "U-S-A," for coach Geno Auriemma, who will be coaching the 2012 U.S. Olympic women's basketball team.

Rep. Mary Fritz, D-Wallingford, introduced members of the UConn women's team and its coaching staff. Fritz described Auriemma as having "perfect hair" and as the coach "who was always grabbing someone."

Representing Republicans was Rep. Penny Bacchiochi, of Somers, who said the UConn women should feel right at home in the House chamber. She proceeded to relate the chamber to the basketball court, saying that the state representatives assist each other and sometimes must apply a full-court press. There is also a scoreboard, she said, pointing to the screen that displays House votes.

The House was not the only group to congratulate the three UConn teams for great seasons Thursday. The teams also appeared before the Senate, and Sen. Thomas Gaffey, D-Meriden, introduced some of the members of the men's basketball team.

Missing the trip to Hartford Thursday was men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun, who had a difference of opinion with a few state lawmakers earlier this year. The reason for his absence was unknown.

Parisi visits state Senate

Wallingford's Robert Parisi got a warm welcome in the state Senate today.

The town councilor was publicly introduced by Senate Minority Leader Pro Tem Len Fasano, R-North Haven. Fasano, who represents Wallingford in the Senate, told his colleagues that Parisi was someone who encouraged him to get involved in politics nearly 20 years ago.

A quote from a House debate

The House is currently discussing House Bill No. 6200, an act concerning the use of long-term antibiotics for the treatment of Lyme Disease. I'm working on some other stuff today, but am still paying attention to what is happening in the House and Senate.

I managed to catch a statement made by Rep. John W. Hetherington, R-New Canaan, and found it too good to not put in my blog.

"I don't claim to have a lot of medical knowledge. I get most of my information from "House.""

If he relies on the television show for his facts, it is a good thing Hetherington isn't on the Public Health Committee.

Sheff celebrates 20th anniversary

I stopped at a press conference today at the Legislative Office Building. It was about the Sheff v. O'Neill case, which involved a state Supreme Court ruling that stated racial and economic isolation violates the constitutional rights of Hartford children. Today marks the landmark case's 20th anniversary.

I began my career covering education. Mix that with a bachelor's degree in sociology, and I am always fascinated by the Sheff case and other issues like it.

Anyway, this particular press conference focused on the strides made since the Supreme Court's ruling and was considered a preview of tonight's presentation at the University of Connecticut's law school. The anniversary event starts at 5 p.m.

The speakers were consistent. There are more opportunities for all students since the Sheff decision, but more work still needs to be done, they said. The success was largely linked to the availability of magnet schools, which create a diverse educational atmosphere by taking students from several different towns and teaching them under one roof.

The idea caught on outside of the Hartford region. Though Meriden was not directly affected by the Sheff decision, it has a magnet school -- Edison Middle School.

Since the ruling, two settlements have been reached between the state and the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The most recent one requires a comprehensive regional integration plan, an expanded Project Choice program, a number of new magnet schools and a goal of serving up to 80 percent of Hartford children who seek to attend integrated schools by 2013.

While only a select number of towns are considered "Sheff districts," one speaker said that the lawsuit technically applied to the entire state, but he also noted that lawsuits would have to be brought forth in other school districts for the results of Sheff to be directly applied.

"I think we would need to start all over again," said John C. Britain, an attorney who worked on the Sheff case.

While he may be realistic, I see Britain's statement as a sad commentary on our society. How much has Connecticut really changed over the past two years when it comes to racial isolation? What can we do to make sure that all children get an equal education? When we finally tackle the problem of racial and economic isolation, will the achievement gap shrink?

For more information on Sheff's history and on how to connect with civil rights and education advocates," visit www.sheffmovement.org.

Do you support public financing?

Is public financing a good thing?

Last year's elections marked the first year candidates for state office publicly-financed campaigns. They raise a little money from their constituents and then they receive thousands of dollars from the Citizens' Election Fund (ie; unclaimed property tax money). The 2005 campaign finance law also prevents lobbyists and state contractors from making campaign contributions.

The process supposedly allows the candidates to get to know their constituents better, because there is more face-to-face contact. Democrats say it has changed the way campaigns run and that it has changed the culture in Hartford.

Is any of this true?

Because of public financing, do you feel more connected to your state representative or senator? Is funding political campaigns the best way to spend the unclaimed property tax money that the state gets to keep -- even in good years?

With Republicans wanting to eliminate public financing and Democrats standing by it, now is the time to make your thoughts known. Afterall, everyone has been telling me that the best time for change is during a crisis.

Dissections topic of debate

The House of Representatives voted 114-32 today to give students an out when it comes to participating in animal experiments or dissections if they conscientiously object.

Rep. Andy Fleischmann, the Education Committee's co-chairman, said the bill is not written for the student who thinks dissections are gross. The bill was constructed to help students who are vegetarians or who object because of their religion, he said, noting that school districts would be given some discretion and would be asked to provide another way to educate students. For example, there are resources on the Internet that teach students the same things they would learn during a dissection, Fleischmann said.

Should students be allowed to opt out of participating in a dissection, or are dissections so important that students need that hands-on experience? Will all students suddenly become conscientious objectors?

Next stop for House Bill No. 6565: the Senate floor.

Activity on Capitol Avenue

When I pulled out of the Capitol parking lot today, about 50 people lined Capitol Avenue cheering, yelling and waving signs. The group was trying to get support for a bill being considered by the legislature -- the one that would legalize small amounts of marijuana.

As I waited at the stop light, someone was yelling to call Gov. Rell. Another was holding a sign that read, "help keep me out of jail." They had a message and they picked April 20, the unofficial national pot smoking day, to share it with the public.

Did this display help their cause? Should small amounts of marijuana be legalized?

Will we see this railway soon?

House Speaker Chris Donovan sent out a press release today about the plan for a commuter rail running between New Haven to Springfield, Mass. He is making a push to secure some federal stimulus dollars for the project.

The president dedicated $8 billion for high speed rail initiatives in his stimulus plan, and it looks like Connecticut will have to put the wheels in motion (no pun intended) if it wants some of that money. It will be competing with other states for the cash.

Donovan is recognizing that there will be competition and is pushing for Gov. Rell to release $30 million for project planning and design next month. He is also putting together a high-level working group to determine the best use of stimulus funds and to investigate how the environmental review associated with the project can be expedited.

With Connecticut facing deficits for this fiscal year and the two that follow, is now a good time to release $30 million? When will we actually see this commuter rail?

The idea was part of a 2006 transportation package and plans have a train stopping in Meriden. So far there has been a lot of talk, but little action. Politicians say the process has been slow, particularly because of Amtrak. Federal legislation passed in 2008 helped speed the process up, but Connecticut residents are still a long way from taking a commuter rail to its neighboring state.

Thoughts on 1991

I spent most of last week learning about the state income tax and the drama that unfolded during the 1991 legislative session.

I can't imagine being a lawmaker during that time. In 1991, the legislature voted to enact a state income tax and people were furious. I heard so many people talk about the rallies against the income tax, the death threats and the 24-hour legislative days.

Comptroller Nancy Wyman was a state representative in 1991 and had someone jump on her car and spat in her windshield. Rep. Mary Mushinsky had people rallying on her front lawn. She took the threats people made seriously and sent her two young children to live with relatives for a while.

Former Gov. Lowell Weicker was hung in effigy for proposing the income tax.

I bet those people didn't know what they were in for when they were elected to office.

With changes to the income tax and a series of tax hikes proposed this session, do you think we are in for similar chaos? Will people rally in the streets? Will they threaten lawmakers and their families? Will they get involved in their state government, or will they be apathetic?

Though they may not have made their grievances known in the best of ways, it sounds like people were engaged in current events in 1991. That is something we often lack today. People don't pay attention to the process, but cry about it later. If you are going to be angry, be angry as the decisions are made and the drama unfolds. Don't wait until it is too late.

And one more observation. Gov. Weicker was on his own, being the only elected official from an independent political party he created. Many often did not agree with his views, but most -- from all political backgrounds -- always say they respect Weicker for standing his ground and doing what he felt was right. How many politicians can say they have that same kind of reputation today?

Abercrombie leads autism effort

The governor officially declared April Autism Awareness Month, and today was Autism Awareness Day at the Capitol.

Although House Speaker Chris Donovan and Senate Majority Leader Marty Looney were there, it was Rep. Cathy Abercrombie who ran the show. Since she was elected to the state legislature in 2005, Cathy has taken a special interest in helping those with autism.

Fedele worried about Italy

Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele grew up in Minuturno, Italy -- about one hour from where the earthquake hit yesterday.

He's been in constant contact with family and friends who still live in the area, and he wants to do something to help. Recovery efforts will take months, he predicted in a press release.

Fedele is encouraging Connecticut residents to visit www.redcross.org and to donate to the International Response Fund. It is important to mark donations for the L'Aquila earthquake victims, he said. This will ensure that donations are used for that specific cause.

Wear your blue and white

Gov. Rell has declared today through Sunday "UConn Huskies Blue & White Weekend" in honor of the University of Connecticut's men's and women's basketball teams. The weekend will be extended through Tuesday if either or both teams make it to the NCAA championship game.

"March Madness has turned into April Madness in Connecticut," the governor said in a prepared statement. "Although most of us will not be in Detriot or St. Louis to cheer on the Huskies, we can certainly do our part in showing our unwavering support for them right here in Connecticut."

Rell is urging state residents to show their Husky pride this weekend. She suggests wearing UConn gear, pinning a blue and white ribbon on your lapel, displaying a sign or flag in your front yard or window or getting a blue and white flower arrangement for your home.

She is also asking area business leaders to participate. Some Hartford businesses will display all blue and white lights this weekend, she said.

As a UConn alum, I love seeing people support my alma mater. Go Huskies!

Tax increases proposed by Dems

Democrats came out with their state budget today. The following are some of the tax increases proposed.

- Progressive income tax system, increasing taxes for the wealthy.

- 30 percent estate and gift tax until 2012.

- Increase in cigarette tax by 50 cents — from $2 to $2.50 per pack of 20.

- Connecticut’s sales tax free week would be suspended for the 2009 and 2010 calendar year.

- A 30 percent corporation tax surcharge for the next three years. The corporation tax would be retroactive, beginning Jan. 1.

- Democrats are also looking to raise revenue by repealing a number of sales tax exemptions. For example, tax preparation and airport valet motor vehicle parking would be taxed under the Democrats’ plan. People would also find themselves paying more for car washes, child car seats and bicycle helmets and amusement and recreation services.

Are these good ideas, or bad ideas? Let me know your thoughts.

Also, for your information, the bills that deal with the budget proposal are Senate Bill 932 and House Bill 6560. For more information, keep reading the Record-Journal, or check out www.cga.ct.gov.