CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE
JOURNAL INQUIRER AND
STATE REPORTER KEITH PHANEUF
On Their Indepth Expose of PACs The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer
Organizations, Inc. (FCTO) extends a sincere appreciation to the Journal
Inquirer and state reporter, Keith Phaneuf, for their
dedication to the citizens of Connecticut by unlocking the doors to government
and exposing issues such as the Political Action Committee Network and the
“loopholes” in election laws which allow businesses to channel money into
political campaigns through lobbyists. The following
articles should be read by every citizen in Connecticut. The Federation
intends to ask for a full investigation of the following to determine the
legality of the political action committee network as exposed. The primary question is - are these loopholes or are laws being
broken? If they are loopholes, then
these loopholes were created by legislators for the benefit of
legislators. Every citizen in Connecticut should contact their state representative and demand that
they put an end to these practices through the enactment of strong ethic and
campaign financing laws. Please take the time to read the following articles in
their entirety. Susan Kniep, President, The Federation
of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations, Inc.
May 20, 2005
PAC spending details in receipts
beyond reach of FOI
HARTFORD -- The public can access the quarterly
reports that tell part of the story behind the state legislature's elaborate
political action committee network. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14562882&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6
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Who are these political campaign
donors?
HARTFORD -- Charles Jonas, longshoreman, may
not have an address or an employer, but he does have one thing: A steadfast
commitment to a Democratic majority in the state Senate. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14562880&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6
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'Explosion of PACs' multiplies the
money
HARTFORD -- For years each caucus in the
General Assembly had one political action committee to raise funds and channel
them to their respective Democratic and Republican candidates for the House and
Senate.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14556602&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6
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Who says lawmakers can't take
money from businesses?
HARTFORD -- Talk to state
legislators or read state law and you'll find the same thing: Businesses can't
contribute to political campaigns in Connecticut. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14556601&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6
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No longer a lawmaker, but Lyons
holding onto PAC worth $135,000
HARTFORD -- The controversial political action
committees that allow legislative leaders to access huge funding is getting
more attention than usual this year at the Capitol. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14556599&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6
Representatives of the Journal Inquirer of Manchester, CT can be reached at 860-646-0500.