Bethel, CT Republican Town Committee

Lobsterfest

We have confirmed the following candidates attending the Bethel RTC Lobsterfest:


The lobsterfest will take place July 31st at Bennett Memorial Park, 14 Shelter Rock Road, Bethel, CT at 3pm. Plan on arriving promptly due to candidates' tight campaign schedules.

While Lobsters must be reserved, RSVP by Monday, July 26th, you can still attend. Other foods that will be served are Sausage & Peppers Hot Dogs & Hamburgers.

Contact: Kitty Grant - (203)792-4995

Lobsterfest details

 

 

 

YouCut

This is your opportunity to lower federal spending. Go to YouCut and vote on which of five programs should be cut.

YouCut – a first-of-its-kind project - is designed to defeat the permissive culture of runaway spending in Congress. It allows you to vote, both online and on your cell phone, on spending cuts that you want to see the House enact. Vote on this page today for your priorities and together we can begin to change Washington's culture of spending into a culture of savings.

Cut Federal Spending Now

What did Richard Blumenthal do during the Vietnam war?

Blumenthal claims “We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam...” but, according to the New York Times records show that he was never in Vietnam.

Shakespeare said in Henry V:

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

Read the full article here:Blumenthal's Words on Vietnam Service Differ From History

Video here: Richard Blumenthal claims to have served in Vietnam

 

2010 Budget Vote

Preliminary results are:

   Yes  No Margin % yes
Municipal 1813 1719 94 51.3
Education 1831 1695 136 51.9

Both budgets passed.

 

New! Bethel Republican Blog

the Bethel Republican blog is an area where members of the town committee express their individual viewpoints. There's a lot if interesting subjects being discussed.

Blogs.BethelRepublicans.org

The Best Social Program Is A Job

By State Senator Toni Boucher

It has been said, “The best social program is a job”. With Connecticut’s unemployment rate increasing to 9.2 %, reestablishing a fertile environment for job creation is essential to restoring prosperity to our state. Furthermore, it is people, not government, that create new jobs.

However, the General Assembly’s Finance Committee spent its last day of work for this legislative session passing several bills that sent a hostile message to Connecticut’s business community. Among other things, these proposals call for:

Raising the estate tax rate to between 14.8 percent and 20 percent, thus increasing taxes by $9 million this fiscal year and by $165 million next year.

Creating a 5.5 percent Hospital Provider Tax that would impose a $207 million annual tax increase on Connecticut hospitals.

Extending a soon-to-expire tax on electric bills for an additional 10 years, which would result in a $1.8 billion tax increase on electricity to pay off $1.3 billion in borrowing.

Requiring Connecticut-based corporations with out-of-state subsidiaries to pay taxes on its entire net income, instead of paying taxes only on what it makes from its holdings in this state.

Taxing the bonuses earned by those who work for companies that received TARP funding from the federal government - but have paid the federal money back with interest. We would be the only state in the nation to do this.

I spoke and voted against these bills in committee - and will do so again if they make it to the Senate floor. However, the mere fact that a powerful committee endorsed them will have a chilling effect on business owners considering expanding,
Case in point: A woman-owned bread company that started in a Wilton kitchen moved to a small commercial space and is now looking for much larger space and, plans to employ up to 35 people. They may consider creating those jobs outside of Connecticut because of our unfriendly business climate. The legislature should be removing burdens from these employers, not adding to them.

Now for some good news. A competitively bid contract was recently awarded to upgrade and refurbish the rest stops along the Merritt Parkway (with guidance from the Merritt Parkway Conservancy) and I-95 over the next several years. There is no question that it would be impossible for the state to finance debt to make these necessary upgrades during these economic times. This contract is good news for Connecticut taxpayers as the new vendor has agreed to assume the considerable expense of renovating and making improvements to these rest stops – an investment in our state that will create jobs during these difficult economic times without taxing residents further.

Another positive development - With less than 2 months left in this fiscal year, an agreement was reached to reduce the current deficit. However, we still face an $800 million deficit beginning July 1, and a nearly $4 billion deficit for the following year.
Republican legislators presented several proposals to resolve the state budget issues we are facing:

  • $58 million in line item cuts lowering spending to 2009 levels;
  • $64 million in early retirement for state workers;
  • $10 million in state agency consolidations;
  • $6.4 million to shed state office leases;
  • $20 million in privatization of state functions;
  • $150 million in state worker concessions, including wage freezes, furloughs and health care adjustments;
  • $3.8 million in legislative pay cuts and the elimination of franked mail and travel.

This budget proposal also makes significant investments in job creation and retirement security:
  • Appropriates $200 million in previously cancelled contributions to state employee pensions;
  • Elimination of the Business Entity Tax to save companies $32 million;
  • Creation of the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund of $25 million;
  • Tax credits of up to $17.5 million will be available to companies that hire off unemployment rolls.

As we conclude this year’s short session legislators must keep working to close this gap without more new taxes that will further erode job creation.


As always, I encourage you to share your thoughts and concerns with me. I can be reached at my legislative office in Hartford at 1-800-842-1421 or via e-mail to Toni.Boucher@cga.ct.gov.

Constitutional Spending Cap

Both of Bethel's State Senators have testified in support of the new State Spending Cap. Their testimony is given below.

Testimony of Senator Toni Boucher
In Support of Proposed Senate Bill 3, An Act Redefining Terms Concerning The Spending Cap and Proposed House Bill 5073, An Act Concerning The Constitutional Spending Cap.

Chairwoman Harp, Chairman Geragosian, Ranking Member Debicella, Ranking Member Minor and other distinguished members of the Appropriations Committee, today I testify in support of Proposed Senate Bill 3, An Act Redefining Terms Concerning The Spending Cap and Proposed House Bill 5073, An Act Concerning The Constitutional Spending Cap.

Almost 18 years ago the residents of Connecticut spoke clearly and overwhelmingly when they ratified an amendment to our state Constitution establishing a cap on state government spending. Unfortunately, the Legislature has not done its job by properly implementing this constitutional amendment. In order for the constitutional cap on spending to be fully implemented the General Assembly must vote by a three-fifths majority to approve the definitions of the cap.

The spending cap is designed to control the growth of state spending to the level of growth in either personal income or inflation. Thus, government spending will grow at the same rate as the economy and, more importantly, at a rate the taxpayers can afford. For the last 18 years, the legislature has been operating under a statutory spending cap, a good measure, but one that does not carry the weight of a fully implemented constitutional amendment. In fact, the legislature has often ignored this statutory cap and voted to exceed this cap for various purposes. This was not the will of the voters then or now.

Article Third, Section 18 of the Constitution of the State of Connecticut clearly states that enactment of the spending cap would require a three-fifths vote on the definition of three terms. Those terms are “increase in personal income,” “increase in inflation,” and “general budget expenditures.” This action by the General Assembly has never occurred.

During the 1991 budget crisis, the legislature established a state Personal Income Tax. To assuage fears that a new income tax would lead to out of control spending the income tax was enacted with the caveat that a permanent spending cap would be put in place to prevent government from irresponsibly increasing taxes. This pledge, I believe, has been broken again and again and the will of the voters, over 80 percent of our citizens who voted for the cap has been disregarded.  It is possible that, if the legislature had enacted the constitutional spending cap when required, our spending would be more in-line with the state’s flat employment and population growth.  Instead, we now have a structural deficit that is unsustainable.   

The General Assembly can no longer afford to ignore the will of people, and the time to fully implement the constitutional cap is now. The public outcry on excessive spending at all levels of government is unprecedented.  Our citizens expect, and even demand, that we address this critical issue to ensure that the welfare of future generations will not be compromised.   

Proposed Senate Bill 3 and Proposed House Bill 5073 include the language necessary to make this happen. I hope we can move forward with these proposals and fully implement Connecticut’s constitutional spending cap. Thank you for your consideration of these measures

Sincerely,

Toni Boucher
State Senator

Sen. McLachlan Criticizes Majority for Delaying Constitutional Spending Cap
Testifies before the Appropriations Committee on bill that would implement
the constitutional spending cap

Hartford, CT – State Senator Michael McLachlan (R-24) Friday, March 5th, testified before the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee in support of SB-3, An Act Redefining Terms Concerning the Spending Cap. If passed into law, the bill will define terms necessary to implement Connecticut’s Constitutional spending cap.

On November 3rd, 1992 Connecticut voters approved an amendment to the state Constitution creating a constitutional spending cap. However, the amendment requires the legislature to define three key terms: increase in personal income tax, increase in inflation, and general budget expenditure. Without defining these terms, the Constitutional spending cap is ineffective and the legislature is only bound to a statutory spending cap that can be and has been ignored. A statutory spending cap does not have the binding power or effectiveness of a fully implemented constitutional amendment. Statutory language can be changed by a simple majority vote of the General Assembly, and often is.

“For eighteen years, the legislature has been idle on this issue as they continued to spend without any accountability,” said Sen. McLachlan. “The irresponsible government spending this cap was designed to prevent has spiraled out of control and played a major role in putting us where we are today. Year after year we propose language that will implement the cap and year after year the majority party refuses to take action. It is long past time for the legislature to finally take action and listen to the voice of the people.

“The people of this state have spoken,” added Sen. McLachlan. “They made it clear eighteen years ago they wanted the legislature bound by a constitutional spending cap, but their vote has been ignored. I am unfortunately not very optimistic that the majority will take action on SB-3 and fully implement Connecticut’s constitutional spending cap, but I will continue to fight toward that end. The voters exercised their democracy and they should not be ignored any longer.”

Northern Fairfield County Probate Court

The Connecticut legislature has consolidated all the probate courts in our state. Bethel will be part of a region comprising Redding, Ridgefield, Bethel and Newtown.

The probate court will be located in the Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center, where Judge Daniel O'Grady currently presides over the Bethel Probate Court.

Candidate Listing for Other Elected Offices

The Bethel Republican Town Committee (BRTC) has identified and endorsed a number of very well qualified candidates for elected offices in our town.

Perhaps the most important function of the BRTC is to find, vet, and endorse candidates for municipal elected and appointed offices. This process is demanding, because we require candidates who are both highly-qualified and generally willing to work for free. (Most elected officials are not remunerated; only the First Selectman and Town Clerk are paid a salary and benefits, and the other Selectmen receive a token stipend.)

The BRTC's vacancy committee conducted the first round of "job interviews" to qualify candidates. These candidates, and their qualifications, were then presented to the full town committee, who then discussed each candidate and his or her qualifications. The candidates were then presented to the Republican Caucus (all registered Republicans in Bethel are allowed and encouraged, to attend the Caucus).

By following this challenging process we insure that all candidates are the most qualified. We urge all voters in Bethel to examine the qualifications of our candidates.

The qualifications for Republican-endorsed candidates for the Board of Selectman are available on the Craybas & Szatkowski Website.

The qualifications for other Republican-endorsed candidates for other Boards and Commissions are available on the Better For Bethel website.

Please review the qualifications of each individual and compare them to that of the opposition. We are sure you will find the Republican-endorsed slate is Better for Bethel

California: Our First Failed State?

California is having budget problems more severe than Connecticut. Yet our state's Majority party is trying to lead us down the same path. Read Will California Become America's First Failed State for a view of these events from the United Kingdom.

Senator Dodd and Credit Card Reform

May 12, 2008 Mystic, CT - U.S. Senate candidate Rob Simmons made the following statement today on Senator Dodd and the credit card reform bill:

"Credit card reform is long overdue and if Sen. Dodd wasn't so busy collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from big banks, credit card companies, the pay day loan industry and pawn shops we might have had reform years ago. This bill is a belated improvement on the current system, but has more to do with covering Sen. Dodd's extremely exposed hind end than with protecting consumers."

Facts About the Connecticut State Budget

Good discussion of the budget issues, how we got to where we are, and how to get out of the hole.

Connecticut State Budget Facts

 

Dodd Gets Most Donations From Out Of State Interests

It has been reported that the beleaguered Senator Chris Dodd received most of the $600,000 donated by individuals in the first quarter of 2009 from out of state, and only $4,250  $2,250 from Connecticut individuals.  That's more than 250 out-of-state dollars for every dollar from Connecticut donors. 

According to Peter Urban, only 5 Connecticut residents and merely 2 Connecticut PACs donated to Senator Dodd.  They are:

  • James McDermott, of Watertown, an attorney at Holland Knight, $2,000 This person lives in Watertown, NY.
  • Robert Patricelli, of Simsbury, executive at Women Health USA, $1,000
  • Elaine Wilson, of Redding, homemaker, $500
  • Richard Mulready, of West Hartford, executive at Servus Corp., $500
  • George Finley, of South Glastonbury, self-employed consultant, $250

Dodd's two Connecticut-based PAC contributors:

  • Tudor Investments PAC, Greenwich, $5,000
  • General Electric PAC, Stamford, $2,000

Only 5 Connecticut Residents Donate to Dodd

Senator Dodd's contributors

 

Republican Legislators Unveil "No Tax Increase" Budget

The highlights of the Republican alternative budget are:

  • Early retirement to save more than $285 million;
  • State worker concessions for salary, health care and pension benefits that save $662 million;
  • Folding 23 agencies into six and implementing a hiring freeze to reduce overhead costs. Two more agencies would be merged into the General Fund;
  • Overhauling the higher education bureaucracy that duplicates services and drives up tuition for families struggling to pay for college;
  • Preserving school and municipal aid;
  • Using the Rainy Day Fund for what it was intended – fiscal distress;
  • Imposing $900 million in hard cuts;
  • Restoring $25 million in municipal aid cut by Democrats and the $500 property tax credit for families earning as little as $46,000;
  • Engaging private companies that can perform duties such as state park maintenance and several DMV services, such as licensing and registration (The AAA already outsources license renewals, and there are often no lines at AAA offices).

No Tax Increase

Overview of the Differences Between the Republican and the Democratic Budgets

 

Other Bethel Republicans

Here are some other state's Bethel Republican groups

Lobsterfest

July 31st, Bennet Park

 

Heating Oil Prices

Its the time of year when Heating Oil contracts are up for renegotiation. See the sidebar on our link page for a link to get prices of heating oil for the past couple of years.