Civil Unions Divide the GOP Family

Gov. Rell and other top state GOP elected officials are apparently not on the same page when it comes to civil unions as state GOP chair William A. Hamzy . Hamzy says that civil unions are "gay marriage pure and simple," while civil unions appear to have the backing of Gov. Rell, Congressman Shays and Simmons and House Minority Leader Robert Ward (North Branford). Story here.

Rell Continues To Clean Out the Rowland Stench

Gov. Rell is calling for disclosures of consultants who are involved with contracts awarded by the state in the wake of revelations that disgraced ex-Gov. John Rowland was collecting $15,000 a month in consultant fees from two state contractors. Story here.

Second Thoughts On Bill To Save Groton Sub Base

Opponents of a bill to reduce the costs of operating the Groton submarine base and Electric Boat are alleging that the bill will divert much needed property tax revenue for the cities of Groton and New London. Story here.

A Little Research Always Helps

Richard Smith, the Milford Democratic town chairman, and City Alderman Philip Vetro, recently called on the city to makeup the difference between what city employees called to active duty make in the military and what they would have made at home.

One problem, the city already does that. Story here.

Gov. Rell Continues Her "I'm Not John Rowland" Campaign

Gov. Rell is reaching out to voters to pressure the Legislature to pass her ethics and campaign reforms. Gov. Rell called ethics and campaign finance reforms one of three major issues before the General Assembly. The others were abiding by the state spending cap and approval of her transportation initiative.

She declined to issue an opinion of the sentence of her mentor. Story here.

Save Groton

The Legislature is moving to save Groton from being a potential victim of the base closing commission by investing $40 million in the infrastructure. Proponents call this the single biggest threat to the Connecticut economy. Story here.

Huskies Win!

The Women's team, however, put a real hurting on Dartmouth, 95-47. Story here, here and here.

Huskies Lose

A year of tumult could not be overcome as the UConn's Men basketball team fell to North Carolina State in the NCAA tournament. No links -- the story is too depressing.

ONE YEAR

Despite the urging of the US Attorney for a harsher sentencing, ex-Gov. John Rowland was sentenced to one year in jail. Story here.

Lets Face It

There is only one story of importance in Connecticut political circles today -- how long will ex-Gov. Johnny be imprisoned. Stories here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Rowland Case to Impact CT Political Culture

Or Not.

The New Britain Herald has a story that says that the Rowland sentencing is a signal that the "culture of corruption" in Connecticut government is on the wane, but on the other hand in 10 years no one will remember it. In other words, Connecticut has a cycle of corruption. Story here.

Rowland Seeks Mercy From Court

In a memo to the Court, attorneys for former Gov. John Rowland have asked the court for leniency in sentencing the former Governor. Regardless, it is likely that he will face some prison time. Interestingly, Rowland could become one of more than a dozen former governors to serve prison time, but only the second from New England. Story here.

Dean Esposito - Danbury Democrats Sacrificial Lamb

The Danbury Democratic Committee has thrown their support behind Dean Esposito to challenge Mayor Mark Boughton this November. Although Esposito had served on the Common Council until 2003, the committee was apparently unconcerned that his family has been living in Georgia for the past year.

Given the recent track record of Democratic candidates in city elections, it is not surprising that the Democrats would recruit from out-of-state. Story here.

Lieberman Gets a Challenger?

John Orman, a professor at Fairfield University, has announced that he is looking into running against Sen Lieberman in the 2006 Democratic primary. Lieberman has come under increasing pressure from liberal groups who believe that his voting pattern has been too favorable to Republicans and President Bush.

Mr. Orman told supporters that "[o]ur party's Senator is no longer a Democrat. He has joined the Republicrat Party . . .After 17 years as a safe-seat senator, Joe has lost touch with his party and with his state."

Story here.

Stamford Mayor's Race

The GOP appears to have their candidate of choice lined up for the 2005 race. State Rep. Michael Pavia has set up an exploratory committee and appears to have the support of former Mayor Stanley Esposito and GOP Town Committee Chairman Daniel McCabe. Pavia can be certain that no matter what happens he will exceed the GOP's showing from the 2001 race, when the party did not field a candidate. Story here.

Gay Cash Welcome Here.

According to the gay rights lobbying group, Love Makes a Family, civil unions would pump over a million dollars into the state's economy from the purchasing of flowers and food, and 2 million dollars if gay marriages were allowed. Of course the Office of Fiscal Analysis, estimates that Connecticut would lose about $1 million a year in state inheritance tax revenue if civil unions are permitted. (As a corollary, the divorce lawyers bar also believes that either gay marriage or civil union will be a boon for business.) Story here.

Nursing Home Strike Looms

The union for nursing home workers has asked Gov. Rell to get involved in contract negotiations, hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2001 strike. The Governor has apparently politely declined. Story here.

Fairfield County Weekly v. CT Post

The gang over at Fairfield County Weekly goes after the editorial board of the Connecticut Post. Specifically FCW goes after a recent editorial against Rep. John Hennessy (D-Bridgeport) and his attempt to prevent the building of some new athletic fields. Story here.

Gov. Gets Involved In Nursing Home Strike

(Well not exactly.) Instead Gov. Rell has said that she hopes that a strike can be avoided, which certainly should get both parties to the table to resolve their differences. The contract for nursing home workers expires on Wednesday. Story here.

In Case You Forgot About JOhnny

The Hartford Courant reminds us that we had a Governor who had to resign and now awaits his jail term. Of interest is that the prosecutor has received 200 letters on the sentencing, slightly more negative than positive despite an organized effort by Rowland's defense team to solicit support from community leaders. Story here.

UCONN Men and Women Make NCAA

Not really a political story, but clearly the one that most residents will actually care about this morning. Story here and here. (And just about everywhere else.)

State Borrows To Pay Bill

Apparently the State of Connecticut is using bond funds to pay everyday expenses, when this revenue is supposed to go toward long term investments. Although it may be poor fiscal policy, it does not apparently violate any laws. Story here.

(Clearly another slow news day -- but did we mention that the Huskies are in the NCAA?)

How The Mighty Have Fallen

The illustrious former Governor, John Rowland (R-Alcatraz), is about to begin serving his time. Apparently there are no Cuban cigars for the former master of his domain. Story here.

Ban on Alcohol Vaporizing Machine

Two bills have been introduced into the legislature to ban an alcohol vaporizing machine, which doesn't appear to have appeared in CT yet, or possibly even work. Of course, the bill also appears dead, demonstrating exactly what a slow news weekend it is in Connecticut. Story here and here.

Poker Faced Governor

The Courant profile Gov. Rell, three months into this year's legislative session, and concludes that she is hard to pin down. Unclear is if the Gov. is playing her position very shrewdly, or if she doesn't really hold strong convictions. Story here.

Foes of Civil Unions Rally

Opponents of civil unions have continue to fight back. Opponents have united to oppose the bill making its way through the Legislature that would create homosexual civil unions in Connecticut. At the same time Sen. Minority Leader Louis DeLuca (R-Woodbury) has proposed a non-binding statewide referendum for the fall as a way to seek the guidance of the public. Despite these events, enactment of a civil unions bill seems likely. Stories here and here.