Connecticut Newsweek; 530

What. What. Now. On this week's cover story time is running out for lawmakers and the governor as they look for a budget and tax agreement by the end of the fiscal year.

Bridgeport gets a boost from other city officials looking for more state A. Profile on Connecticut's chief of the environment. And cartoonist Bob angle hard on the nation's new hero. I'm Bob Douglas and welcome to this week's edition of Connecticut news week. It still remains to be seen of state lawmakers can put together a budget and a tax package that would be accepted by the governor by July 1st the start of the next fiscal year. The governor has warned that with the exceptions of vital services like dealing with health and public safety state residents can expect a major reduction in state programs and services. And this week state labor leaders warned that they will walk away from their agreement with the administration that would have produced an estimated three hundred twenty eight million dollars in wage and other benefit concessions. Some lawmakers say however

that if that happens workers will face significant layoffs. But as the July 1st date approaches the budget and tax stalemate continues. No. I'm Connecticut's most urgent business however remains unfinished as we know and why. There is no budget is irrelevant as of this moment. When is the only question of importance. The state is gasping for economic here and our function is not as witnesses to a final collapse but as builders of a new house in which everyone has their space.

If I could take all the positives. That have emerged from the various budget proposals whether progressive or coalition or AFL CIO or O'Leary or the governor if I could take all the positives that have emanated from those proposals Connecticut would have an economic blueprint unrivaled by any state in the union. Most of the budgets being passed around the nation those budgets see no further than the next election. So let's let tomorrow's work. Look past our generation to that of our children. And if we do that together then Connecticut will be on the march. Guaranteeing government in the black for years to come.

And people work. Tomorrow. You've had. Your votes. I've had my veto. The public now deserves their budget in the morning. And thank you very much. State lawmakers and the white your administration do not appear to be close to a budgeting tax agreement. Ever since the adjournment of the regular session the state legislature session which produced an army. Sometimes I can check the governor veto. While the governor hopes that an agreement will be your weight before the start of the next fiscal year. He met with the attorney general the state treasurer and comptroller this week to consider the consequences with starting a new fiscal year with no budget.

Essentially it was a discussion among the various causes loss relative to. The End by perhaps not having a budget in July 1 which obviously is rather serious. In the case as you know the legal issues of course practically relative to. Our ability to continue to be of our obligations and I think clearly all of us conveyed a real sense of concern in this and a real sense of urgency of getting a budget adopted come July 1 is going to is rather significant and difficult implications within you and you not to rely on it. You're off the reel so we can spend money on this Richard Curry tells me I can't be there. The question of what services exactly can or cannot be funded is so difficult Their answer that the mere fact that we don't have a budget could cause a ferment as chaos will be in a world of just tremendous hurt and chaos in human and legal terms because there are all kinds of

legal actions that will be taken against the state of Connecticut costing astronomical amounts of money and we open ourselves to liability in all kinds of areas that really you know almost beyond contemplation at this point. It's our strong feeling that to proceed without some authorization without an appropriation act the General Assembly is signed by the governor would leave us in the legal and economic chaos. And secondly we made the point that we're running out of both time and money and that that we really need to have that action so the people are clear as to what our ability to sustain and operations are governs going to be and I think that there was. Consensus within the room. None of us can speak to any of the other because of this obviously. But there certainly was a an atmosphere of consensus that in fact the downside of being without the authorization the General Assembly in this area is substantial enough that it ought to be avoided and.

We all I think are clear that. The that that number one you want to budget absent a budget you want some continuing legal authorization that sets clear standards. The problem is the Constitution and tells us that there are some expenses that have to be paid. But it doesn't tell us which ones will and how and it doesn't set up a process for doing it. And we're discussing I think we're continuing to explore Richard our office in the governor's office are looking at the three basic problems here which is that you need to be in agreement on what process you would pursue. In the absence of a budget for making a decision you need to be in agreement as to what the criteria are for establishing which are and which are not constitutionally obligated and essential operations of the state. And lastly as a Frank discussed in the meeting you need to know once you've agreed on the process and the criteria whether or not you have the money to pay the bill. And. As we discussed the question of the cash flow is as important the question of legal process and they can determine whether we have the ability to move forward on a budget.

If there was an atmosphere of consensus there was really a basic agreement as to the havoc that would result from the failure to adopt some kind of budget act and some kind of tax package that put the state on a track that it could go forward and the message was that we ought to be taking the. Rationale in the reasoning that we brought here in the message that we took to the governor today to the legislative leadership and to the legislature as a whole. I'm I hope as I said my first hope is that this is all going to become moot because we move forward but my second expectation strengthened by this meeting is that we will reach a consensus as to how to make those decisions and under what criteria did I do it just to further elaborate to clarify the question about collecting taxes the obligations would remain on the books and I think the practical difficulties of collecting taxes in the absence of an effective functioning government would be the real question.

Yes that's a very clear there's no way is intended as. An infringement on the legitimate legislative process that has to go on relative putting a budget together. It is the view of the three of us along with the governor there are some practical implications with not having a budget. And. It's important that we brief the members of the General Assembly relative what it means that in fact come July 1 our cash position changes our calculation has never really been in a great position. It gets further exacerbated apps in the budget because we can't borrow. During this period of time because of the uncertainty on old wooden disclosure documents but clearly this is not at all intended to praise you beyond that which is that the general response to the general assembly but it's hard of working constructively I think is ever was ever in environment and there's a very positive environment a part of all of us to constructively approach these issues as a fashion. There's the least amount of disruption to the lives of the citizens of the state of Connecticut. I don't think the state can minimize the consequences I think there are consequences here.

In terms of care not having the cash to pay the bill. In terms of services clearly not being made available to the citizen in terms of potential lawsuits were services are deemed to be inadequate. Or not there at all. Now we've got several weeks to sit around and kind of played our navels with or as the. Legislature is concerned and I would suggest the time has come to do the work that people expect us to do. I fully concede the fact that there are very industrious members of the legislature the working hard trying to put something together when faced with these kinds of consequences I'd suggest is going to require both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and the house. The governor has made

his proposals the governor is willing to sit down in. Every manner shape or form. Exceed to other people's ideas. But to say that we have no one no budget while our status is done out there that's just the height of the responsibility. While Democrats in the state house and a state senate work separately in trying to come up with a tax plan Republican lawmakers sent a message that they do not want to support. An income tax. Well generally what we did today was just a meeting of the minds if you will we sat down we went over where we are today what has happened since we adjourned last week when we were in a special session. We also discussed all of the proposals to date that have been put on the table those that include an income tax and we actually took a poll of the caucus we did not take any kind of a caucus position but we asked our members how they felt about each of those proposals. By and large most members were opposed to all of them that included an income tax I think the only one that received any type of favorable report was the so-called say SCHIP

plan. Again this was not an indication of how these members would vote but simply that they were looking at these proposals and theyre not happy with any of them. So theres no consensus for an income tax proposal. Virtually of any kind within the Republican caucus I would say that one of the things that we did today we authorized our minority leader equity to go back and re work with the coalition members the members who worked on that coalition plan to go through it to see if there were any changes that could be made to that that might entice the governor to change his mind. Weve also asked Ed to go back and meet with the governor is at all possible to see if the governor would back down from his stance of not accepting anything that did not include an income tax. I think that the final days are certainly upon us that push is come to shove now and that we really have to take a look to see exactly what were going to do to get out of this mud that we're in right now and that's where we are. Was there any discussion of passing or putting together a continuing resolution or some short term appropriation or budget measure

measure. If there's no final budget by July 1. Yes we did discuss that in fact we went through the logistics of that and how it would work. We talked about a continuing resolution I know that's a terminology we use and not necessarily what we would do it may very well be an east sorted bill. What I think would happen and I think that Ed has spoken with represent about duty and they have agreed that if it comes to that we're down to the wire as far as time is considering you know it would be the last day of the this fiscal year that Monday we would go forward with something like that it would have to probably be in the in the form of a bill. My impression from newspaper accounts is that the governor has said that he would veto that. I think again that would be a very grave mistake I know that you and I had this discussion way that during the session about even vetoing the budget I think certainly that that was a mistake. But to veto something that would keep state government running on a short term basis would be a grave mistake and I think that if the governor should do something like that there's no question in my

mind that there would be enough votes for an override. State House Democrats are working on an income tax plan of their own that reportedly includes a rate from five point seventy five percent to seven point seventy five percent. Seventy six votes are needed in the State House to pass an income tax plan and majority Democrats are far from getting the necessary votes they plan to meet again next week to see if they can make some progress. And state Senate Democrats are still struggling to come up with a tax package. But so far not enough votes there for a plan that includes an income tax. As the state in the city of Bridgeport face a court battle over the city's right to file a petition for bankruptcy the Connecticut conference of Minas apologies. Back Bridgeport this week at a state capitol news conference. It was announced

that the group will go to court to support the city of Bridgeport Bridgeport supporters are also calling for the legislature to pass a budget and provide needed aid to the states cities and towns. The board of directors of the credit Congress of municipalities decided that CCN will file an amicus curiae a friend of the court brief in federal court opposing the state's position that Bridgeport cannot legally file for restructuring its debt. The request for permission to file will be presented to the federal court in Bridgeport tomorrow. The CM believes that all Connecticut cities and towns have that legal right. Federal law allows allows municipalities to avail themselves of this remedy. Nothing in the act setting up the review board for Bridgeport prohibits such a filing and CCR maintains that no express authorization is required for a municipality to take this step when faced with financial distress. The CM believes that providing Bridgeport with the opportunity to restructure its debt is in the

best interests of Connecticut citizens businesses and the state as a whole. In our view Bridgeport is acting responsibly and seeking to use a provision of federal law designed particularly for municipalities in severe financial distress a precipitous tax increase will make bridge ports a long term solution worse by driving even more industry and business out and the effects of such flight are not limited to Bridgeport cities and towns have to cope with over 250 statutory state mandates. State provides no reimbursement for 82 percent of those mandates. Here are just two of the burden Bridgeport paying the unfunded state mandated heart heart and hypertension benefits for police and firefighters across Bridgeport 1.7 million dollars this fiscal year state mandated compulsory binding arbitration of contract with teachers of municipal employees has driven up Bridgeport labor costs by millions of dollars.

Bridgeport sought the did not receive voluntary givebacks from municipal unions for costly contracts settled under state mandated compulsory binding arbitration under its proposed debt restructuring. Bridgeport is seeking modification of certain onerous and economically burdensome labor contract is contract. A protective measure available to it under Chapter 9. We mares were here several months ago and is in this very room when we were stressing to the general some of the tremendous need for property tax relief at that particular point. And we're here today. The reason I'm here today on several several points to first one to support Bridgeport right to do what they're doing although I don't agree with the process in which we're there doing it but I do believe they have the right to do it. The second is to call for the attention of the General Assembly that all cities need immediate media

help in terms of proper release and also that we've got. We also must begin to look to the federal government who has turned and turned its back on one city's one over the years we've got to revisit that and begin to call attention to Washington that the city's needs help is on. As well but the problem that we face is almost everybody behind me here myself included. Our budgets are going up substantially less than our tax rate which means that all of our revenue sources aren't keeping pace. The revenue sources are not keeping pace in the lead in elsewhere our tax collections under one state assisted them. And so if you keep these things in balance it's not so bad that many of our budgets are being recalled. Many of our budgets are being referred because people can't take anymore property taxation. Next a look at the man named by Governor Weicker to head the State Department of Environmental

Protection in these lean fiscal times the challenge to clean up and protect the environment is made even more difficult. For years the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has been understaffed and has not had the resources to implement many environmental laws. One of Commissioner Timothy Kenya's top priorities is to get the resources to do the job. We have a quite a legislative mandate that we get handed by the General Assembly. And really don't have the people to carry out what is asked of us. Which accounts basically for things like permit backlogs and delays and inability to do certain things that we would like to do but just don't have the time or the people to do it. So. To get the resources to do the job I think is is is one of my top priorities. And I think we're well on the way to getting there. Another another top priority is. The permit backlog. It's 2000 some permits that are currently in the system. And it's

it reflects poorly on the department even though we may not be quote responsible for it. It's something that is looks it makes the department look bad. Because. People do not like delays and think when talking about economic development of the need to turn around the economy of the state. Delays that relate directly to the economy they can be. Corrected should be and that's one of the things we're trying to do. Getting more support for education about our natural resources is another priority for Commissioner Kinney and we're trying to preserve and improve those resources is tremendously important that people understand. What those resources are how they're interrelated. Why they're important why they need to be protected and what actions they can do to assist in that matter before coming to Connecticut. Commissioner Kenya was director of the office of ocean and coastal resource management of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He sees Long Island Sound as one of Connecticut's

tremendous treasures and is making it one of his priorities. Long Island Sound effects everything from the wildlife. Fisheries. The parks along the sound. To. Sewage treatment. Your emissions. A solid waste discharge. All of those issues are involved with the sound and. Require. Attention to improve the conditions in the you know tight budget year the commissioner will have to find ways to get all the work done. In fact this year we lost I think some 19 percent of our general fund. Dollars. And we lost about 100 some odd positions related to those dollars. And one of the things that we did. At the same time. Was to shift over some of those requirements over to fees that were being increased to

compensate for the loss of general fund dollars. So for instance the fees for a fishing license went from twelve to fifteen dollars this year. Fees for both the registration increased. Fees for all different sorts of activities were increased. Knowing full well though that there is a there is a very quick lament that you hit with regards to diminishing returns on increasing fees to help get the department operating more efficiently. Commissioner Kimi has asked the state legislature to allow him to streamline the permit process for those permits that would have little or no effect on the environment. Right now some of the bureaus operate out of different buildings. In April of next year the department will be moving to one building with modern computer equipment. A move that should help to get the bureau's working together. We're getting our bureaus to talk to each other. Where they have been in the past picking in regards to permits like air water and waste and multi faceted permits multimedia permits. We're we're making sure that they talk to each other early on when we

when we're working to force them into actions. That affect more than one bureau we want to make sure we know what other bureaus are doing. Within my department. We're trying to again upgrade our. The equipment that we use. There was a proposal to close 10 of the state's 92 parks commissioner Keeney has gone to the private sector for help. We received a check from U.S. Surgical price only four weeks ago that four hundred eighty nine thousand dollars which will allow us to keep open all the 10 parks that we were anticipating closing which. To my great relief we are now. Every park in the state of Connecticut will be open this summer. And will be operating. Along with that we are using that is a kickoff of a campaign to raise up to two million dollars to make improvements in the shoreline parks. That's sure what Island. In the western part of the state. And an asset unlocking that. Those three parks alone receive over three million visitors every

summer. And they could be in much better condition than they currently are. As long as land prices are low. Commissioner Kenya wants to buy land for the state. This year we don't have the money in the budget. However we do have money in in the pipeline. In other words we have currently 19 million dollars in the pipeline that we can use to to purchase land. And even though in the last couple of months we haven't been able to get the bond commission to support. And the expenditures there I believe as soon as the budget situation is cleared up. With the General Assembly and the governor that we will again get bonding dollars released and we fully anticipate to spend some more in there in the range of 2 million dollars a month. The remainder of this year. To go out and purchase public lands. The commissioner is confident that even in these tough fiscal times legislative mandates can be met.

I think it has and the constituents and the people that live in Connecticut are very well informed. They're very intelligent. They care about the environment. And also keep a close eye on what this department is doing and what government is doing and what they're not doing. I think that so I'm very very confident about our ability to convince the legislature as to what it is we need and why we need it. And we have a there's a great groundswell of support out there of people that will will back us up. With what we feel are requirements. Why only cartoonist Baba heart focusing on the troops home from the Persian Gulf and America's newest hero. General Schwarzkopf and his troops have come back from the desert to parades and ticker tape. Some people want to know what all the fuss is about. For a lot of us the celebration is more about forgiving ourselves for Vietnam in the bad way we treated the soldiers who served in that war than it

is about Iraq and Kuwait. Vietnam cheated us from feeling heroic like our parents generation had built in World War Two and we felt powerless to change it. Back then government policy divided families and friendships and in our bitterness we spit on the soldiers for following orders. The Vietnam vets who made it home were wounded by their experience but instead of giving them our compassion we rejected them from society and traumatized them even further. We ignored their pain and we were ashamed of ourselves. General Norman Schwarzkopf is helping us to feel better. He fought a different war in a different time and he was able to give his soldiers what General Westmoreland couldn't. Leadership they could trust. He's got dignity and honor and the courage to tell it like it is. His military performance in the Mideast was brilliant and professional with the least amount of American casualties. He knows that when Washington sends our young sons and daughters to the front lines it had better be with the proper support. And then when they come home it should be to open arms.

And that's this week's edition of Connecticut Newsweek I'm Bob Douglas we do thank you for joining us. Our generation to that of our children. And if we do that together the Connecticut will be on the march guaranteeing government in the black for years to come. And people work. Tomorrow. You've had. Your votes. I have had my veto. The public. Now deserves cloture.