The state Election Enforcement Commission's executive director, Jeffrey Garfield, will retire and the commission will conduct a national search for his successor.
Garfield has served for 30 years as the commission's executive director and general counsel.
According to a press release, Garfield has no immediate plans beyond assisting the commission through the transition for 90 days.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Local lawmakers to tour Meriden
This is just a quick update on Chris Donovan's tour of Meriden tomorrow. State Rep. Cathy Abercrombie will be joining him. The schedule is outlined below.
9:50 a.m. – Board of Education, 22 Liberty St.
10:05 a.m. – Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller St.
10:30 a.m. – YMCA Daycare Center, Crown St.
10:55 a.m. – Senior Center, 22 West Main St.
11:15 a.m. – Courthouse, 37 West Main St.
11:30 a.m. – Housing Authority, Church St.
11:45 a.m. – Train Station, State St.
9:50 a.m. – Board of Education, 22 Liberty St.
10:05 a.m. – Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller St.
10:30 a.m. – YMCA Daycare Center, Crown St.
10:55 a.m. – Senior Center, 22 West Main St.
11:15 a.m. – Courthouse, 37 West Main St.
11:30 a.m. – Housing Authority, Church St.
11:45 a.m. – Train Station, State St.
Dems emphasize objections
Leading Democratic state lawmakers are making the rounds this week, telling people what they don't like about Gov. Rell's budget proposal.
They've been loudly emphasizing their displeasure.
For example, House Speaker Chris Donovan is expected to spend some quality time in his hometown tomorrow. Word is that he will talk about Rell's proposed cuts to library services. He could also be making a stop at the Meriden courthouse. I've been told more information is coming soon.
Donovan and some others were in New Haven today.
Traveling is fun, especially around this time of year, but aren't these lawmakers suppose to be sitting down with the governor and her administration to talk about the state budget? When is that happening? The clock is truly ticking now. The new fiscal year will begin July 1.
Maybe they leave a few lawmakers behind to tend to the numbers as they travel? Maybe they come in late in the day to crunch some numbers and weigh priorities?
I guess something must be happening somewhere because Sens. Don Williams and Marty Looney canceled a press conference at a New Haven school that was scheduled for tomorrow. The reason for not going: encouraging talks with the governor's office when it comes to funding for the state's charter and CommPACT schools.
I'm glad both parties are apparently on the same page about something.
They've been loudly emphasizing their displeasure.
For example, House Speaker Chris Donovan is expected to spend some quality time in his hometown tomorrow. Word is that he will talk about Rell's proposed cuts to library services. He could also be making a stop at the Meriden courthouse. I've been told more information is coming soon.
Donovan and some others were in New Haven today.
Traveling is fun, especially around this time of year, but aren't these lawmakers suppose to be sitting down with the governor and her administration to talk about the state budget? When is that happening? The clock is truly ticking now. The new fiscal year will begin July 1.
Maybe they leave a few lawmakers behind to tend to the numbers as they travel? Maybe they come in late in the day to crunch some numbers and weigh priorities?
I guess something must be happening somewhere because Sens. Don Williams and Marty Looney canceled a press conference at a New Haven school that was scheduled for tomorrow. The reason for not going: encouraging talks with the governor's office when it comes to funding for the state's charter and CommPACT schools.
I'm glad both parties are apparently on the same page about something.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
House of Disappointment
Rep. John Mazurek, D-Wolcott, placed a handwritten sign on his desk in the House chamber Wednesday. It read: "Welcome to the Connecticut State House of Disappointment."
In Corky's eyes, everyone is going to be disappointed by the budget lawmakers ultimately pass. The cuts are going to be deep, he said.
He is referring to the state's future biennial budget. There will be no state budget passed tonight.
Actually, at 9 p.m., the Senate is in recess. They haven't done anything in about two hours. The legislative session adjourns at midnight.
In Corky's eyes, everyone is going to be disappointed by the budget lawmakers ultimately pass. The cuts are going to be deep, he said.
He is referring to the state's future biennial budget. There will be no state budget passed tonight.
Actually, at 9 p.m., the Senate is in recess. They haven't done anything in about two hours. The legislative session adjourns at midnight.
Fedele to carry torch
Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele will carry the torch at Special Olympics Connecticut's Summer Games.
Friday's lighting of the cauldron will conclude a multi-day Law Enforcement Torch Run that kicks off the games. The lighting will happen at Jess Dow Stadium at Southern Connecticut State University. Both Fedele and David Dennin, a Special Olympics' athlete, will light the cauldron.
Friday's lighting of the cauldron will conclude a multi-day Law Enforcement Torch Run that kicks off the games. The lighting will happen at Jess Dow Stadium at Southern Connecticut State University. Both Fedele and David Dennin, a Special Olympics' athlete, will light the cauldron.
Let the last day begin
The House of Representatives kicked off the last day of the legislative session with music from the Silver City Choir, a choral group from Meriden's Lincoln Middle School. The choir sang two patriotic songs, including "My America."
Their presentation was followed by discussion on an Act Concerning Trade with Africa -- a bill the Senate passed in late April.
The bill would require the Department of Economic and Community Development to conduct a study of their programs that promote and assist Connecticut businesses with regard to trade with African countries.
The cost to the Department of Economic and Community Development would be minimal.
Not to minimize the importance of international relations, but shouldn't Connecticut lawmakers be focused the state's finances right now and the fact that they haven't passed a budget?
Photo courtesy of House Democrats:
Their presentation was followed by discussion on an Act Concerning Trade with Africa -- a bill the Senate passed in late April.
The bill would require the Department of Economic and Community Development to conduct a study of their programs that promote and assist Connecticut businesses with regard to trade with African countries.
The cost to the Department of Economic and Community Development would be minimal.
Not to minimize the importance of international relations, but shouldn't Connecticut lawmakers be focused the state's finances right now and the fact that they haven't passed a budget?
Photo courtesy of House Democrats:
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Open container bill passed for now
So, House Democratic leaders just did an interesting thing. The House was debating a bill that would prohibit open alcoholic beverage containers in vehicles and then Democratic leaders chose to pass the bill temporarily.
That's never good news for any bill and could mean that the bill is dead, especially since the General Assembly will adjourn at 11:59 p.m. tomorrow.
The Senate had unanimously passed the very same open container bill last week.
I'm sorry that I don't have more information on the debate, but I've been working on a story about something different. If I hear anything else, I will blog.
For those looking to check out the language of the bill, it is Senate Bill 152.
That's never good news for any bill and could mean that the bill is dead, especially since the General Assembly will adjourn at 11:59 p.m. tomorrow.
The Senate had unanimously passed the very same open container bill last week.
I'm sorry that I don't have more information on the debate, but I've been working on a story about something different. If I hear anything else, I will blog.
For those looking to check out the language of the bill, it is Senate Bill 152.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Special session scheduled
There are three days left until the legislative session adjourns, and state lawmakers still do not have a budget agreement.
They don't expect to have one before 11:59 p.m. Wednesday either.
The House and Senate voted Saturday to convene in special session, which is set to begin Thursday. The move will allow them to continue working on a biennial budget. This fiscal year ends June 30and lawmakers hope to have a budget for the next two years in place by then.
Gov. Rell hopes so too, but says she has contingency plans ready if necessary.
Some things to keep in mind:
1. Special sessions cost money. Is this wise when the state is already facing a deficit this year?
2. There's a lot of finger pointing when it comes to why Connecticut does not have a state budget ready to be voted on.
3. Rell sees the Democrats' call for a special session as a concession, and she is calling Democratic leaders disorganized. Democrats say they are just being prepared.
Was it a wise move to call a special session already? Why does the legislature need a special session? They've had about five months to come up with a budget. They knew the state's financial problems in January. Today is the first day of June and people still can't agree.
They don't expect to have one before 11:59 p.m. Wednesday either.
The House and Senate voted Saturday to convene in special session, which is set to begin Thursday. The move will allow them to continue working on a biennial budget. This fiscal year ends June 30and lawmakers hope to have a budget for the next two years in place by then.
Gov. Rell hopes so too, but says she has contingency plans ready if necessary.
Some things to keep in mind:
1. Special sessions cost money. Is this wise when the state is already facing a deficit this year?
2. There's a lot of finger pointing when it comes to why Connecticut does not have a state budget ready to be voted on.
3. Rell sees the Democrats' call for a special session as a concession, and she is calling Democratic leaders disorganized. Democrats say they are just being prepared.
Was it a wise move to call a special session already? Why does the legislature need a special session? They've had about five months to come up with a budget. They knew the state's financial problems in January. Today is the first day of June and people still can't agree.
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