Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations

With House vote, Malloy poised to sign death penalty repeal� By Keith M. Phaneuf CTMirror.org� April 12, 2012 On an 86-62 vote, the House of Representatives gave final legislative approval Wednesday night to a bill repealing the death penalty for future crimes, leaving Connecticut one step away from becoming the 17th state to abolish capital punishment. The bill, which Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has pledged to sign, advanced after a 9 1/2-hour debate focused largely on a provision that still mandates capital punishment for Connecticut's 11 death row inmates. � Continued at �� http://ctmirror.org/story/15980/house-approval-malloys-signature-final-step-needed-repeal-death-penalty

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Gas prices may have peaked Andrew Restuccia - 04/11/12 05:07 PM ET

Gasoline prices, which have vexed President Obama politically in recent months, may have reached their peak, according to energy analysts.� Prices at the pump reached nearly $3.94 last Friday, the highest point this year, according to AAA. But prices have decreased slightly over the last five days, reversing increases that began in December of last year.� Analysts say prices could continue to decline.� Continued at �.. http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/221069-analysts-gas-prices-may-have-peaked

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Rhode Island's Bondholders Are Nervous About Providence's Shaky Finances (Ted Nesi / WPRI-TV) Local pensions now short $2.3B� Treasurer holds meeting on city, town pensions April 10, 2012� By Ted Nesi, WPRI.com Reporter� Continued at �.� http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/politics/raimondo-investors-nervous-about-providence

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Obama administration diverts $500M to IRS to implement healthcare reform law Date: April 10, 2012 �By: Sam Baker� Source: The Hill�� The Obama administration is quietly diverting about $500 million to the IRS to help implement Obamacare. The transfers are legal, but several have raised concerns about spending money on a law that the Supreme Court might shoot down in mere months. Read article at http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/220475-white-house-has-diverted-500m-to-irs-to-implement-health-law

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TOP SECRET AMERICA

A Washington Post Investigation

Monitoring America | washingtonpost.com - Washington Post ...

Nine years after the terrorist attacks of 2001, the United States is assembling a vast domestic intelligence apparatus to collect information about Americans, using the FBI, local police, state homeland security offices and military criminal investigators. Read the complete article at http://projects.washingtonpost.com/top-secret-america/articles/monitoring-america/

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From the Federation �� GREAT NEWS!� Dan Lavallo is back and here is what he has to say:� Welcome to the CtTalking.com Daily Newsletter Each day we will update the issues being discussed on www.CtTalking.com.�� We hope you will join the conversations. You will be treated with respect here and we expect that you treat others readers the same way. Our goal is to raise the level of conversation on issues important to all of us in Connecticut. We wish you a wonderful day. Dan Lovallo and George Gombossy Co-Publishers.��

And in keeping with Dan�s goal to keep us informed check out one of his latest postings More money for state employees� 04-09-2012 10:15:15 AM� Political appointees and other non-unionized state workers in Connecticut are embracing April with open arms. That's because it is bonus time. Contrary to popular opinion, state government did not deep-six those controversial longevity bonuses for all state employees, during last year's budget negotiations. Some employees, particularly those who work for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, D/WFP, [...]...�

So for those Dan Lavallo fans who appreciated his no nonsense accurate reporting on the issues of the day, here is your chance to again get on board with Dan at www.CtTalking.com where you can sign up for his daily alerts� or just Click here .� Susan

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School Pushouts

A Plague of Hopelessness Perpetrated by Zombie Schools
By Dr Armand Fusco - Educator and Author - March 2012

Recently, I had an opportunity to interview Dr. Armand Fusco on his recent publication - School Pushouts: A Plague of Hopelessness Perpetrated by Zombie Schools� -� on my cable program Tax Talk which aires on East Hartford�s Cable Station 5 at 8:15 PM on Friday evenings.� The following is an email I recently received from a viewer who expressed his thoughts on the excellent presentation by Dr. Fusco.� Those wishing to receive a copy of the DVD to air the one hour program on their local cable channel please contact me at 860-841-8032 or fctopresident@aol.com.� Susan Kniep

From John, an East Hartford resident:� On Friday evening, April 6, 2012, I was pleased to view an excellent cable access program on East Hartford Community Television, entitled 'Tax Talk' featuring guest, Dr. Armand Fusco. Dr. Fusco held my interest throughout the program with his superb treatise of the state of the declining public school system in the State of CT. Kudos are also extended to Chuck Treat who helped to organize the graphic displays which offered excellent visual support for Dr. Fusco's claims. This program should be aired on every public access channel in the State. Dr Fusco is not afraid to tell it like it is. As a former school administrator, he is well aware of the inherent flaws of the current educational system, which reward the status quo and union demands rather than ideas to improve the public school system in the US. This program should be required vewing for every parent who is concerned with the education of their child in the global economy we now live in. I hope this program is aired again. Such a valuable resource as the wisdom of Dr. Fusco needs to be shared with as many people as possible.��

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From the Yankee Institute:

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough Comes to Stamford
Have Brunch with Morning Joe!� Saturday, May 5, 2012, 10:30 AM

Stamford Sheraton at 700 East Main Street, Stamford, CT

Tickets are $40 per person and include parking

Want a picture with Joe? Come at 10 a.m. for a photo op. Tickets are $250 and include one photo for an individual or couple as well as brunch and free parking.

All questions should be directed to Jessica at (860) 282-0722 or jessica@yankeeinstitute.org.

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More GSA giveaways - New York Post� By GERRY SHIELDS� April 10, 2012 WASHINGTON � A federal agency already under fire for spending $823,000 on an outrageous Las Vegas conference is now being criticized for rampant abuse in an employee rewards program that left $28,000 worth of iPods either stolen or missing. The General Services Administration�s �Hats Off� program also resulted in people in charge of the system getting most of the incentive gifts, which included GPS systems and DVD players. Employees bartered with prizes and supervisors received taxpayer-funded gifts from their employees, according to a preliminary Inspector General�s report obtained yesterday by The Post. The program started five years ago with employees receiving mugs, mousepads and backpacks with GSA logos on them for good service, which cost the agency $47,000. But over the next four years, it accelerated into the high-end electronics and ballooned up to $212,000 by 2009.� http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/more_gsa_giveaways_OqnW3ePJjIwpjCSstPdlPL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=National

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Walker administration: Survey shows collective bargaining reforms ...working� Apr 10 2012 LA CROSSE, Wis. -- Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's collective bargaining reforms are working. That's what the administration is saying after releasing a survey from school districts from across the state. The Department of Public Instruction survey comes from more than 80% of school districts in the state. It shows most class sizes have stayed the same, there have been fewer teacher layoffs, and property taxes were kept in check. Article is continued at �� http://www.news8000.com/news/Walker-administration-Survey-shows-collective-bargaining-reforms-working/-/326/10476212/-/opan6/-/

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Taxpayers could have to cover Rep. Emanuel Cleaver�s bad loan By DAVE HELLING and STEVE KRASKE April 6, 2012 The Kansas City Star Taxpayers could be on the hook for up to $1.1 million to cover a bad loan for U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver�s car wash in Grandview, the Small Business Administration said Friday. SBA officials said the agency had guaranteed roughly 75 percent of the 2002 Bank of America loan to the firm that owns the business, Cleaver Company LLC. In a lawsuit filed March 30, Bank of America said the company � along with Cleaver and his wife, Dianne � owed more than $1.46 million in principal and interest on the loan. That means the SBA, a federal agency charged with helping small businesses, could end up paying the bank three-fourths of Cleaver�s principal and interest debt, or roughly $1.085 million, if the Democratic congressman�s company cannot meet its obligations. Article is continued at �.. http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/06/3540958/taxpayers-could-have-to-cover.html

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Law Shrouds Details of Congressional Trips Abroad� by Justin Elliott | @elliottjustin ProPublica, April 11, 2012, 10:24 a.m.� Members of Congress normally have to disclose where they travel overseas, whom they visit and how much the trip cost � but not under a little-known State Department program that keeps those details and others a secret. When members of Congress or their staffers travel on a private group's dime, they are subject to a long list of requirements and restrictions, thanks to the Jack Abramoff scandal and that infamous picture [1] of the grinning super-lobbyist with a congressman at a famous Scottish golf course. Reforms in 2007 include preapproval of trips by the House or Senate ethics committee, rules barring lobbyists' involvement, limits on the length of a trip, and mandatory, prompt public disclosure of the cost, itinerary, purpose and so on. But under a little-known exception, if a trip abroad that originates in the U.S. is paid for by a foreign government, virtually none of those restrictions and disclosure requirements applies. Last week, we wrote [2] about the Democratic House member from American Samoa, Eni Faleomavaega; his unusual interest in defending Bahrain during the crackdown on protests there last year; and his friend's lobbying firm that promotes the Gulf nation. Faleomavaega was in [3] Bahrain last week, his second such trip in the last year that Bahrain paid for. On the first trip, he was accompanied by the president of the Bahrain American Council, which operates out of the lobbying firm�s Washington, D.C., offices Continued at �� http://www.propublica.org/article/details-of-congressional-trips-abroad-a-secret

Related: Meet Bahrain's Best Friend in Congress

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Another Obama Administration Attempt at Solar Power Central Planning Goes Bust� Ronald Bailey | April 3, 2012� Solar Trust of America which aimed to build a solar power plant in the California desert using parabolic mirrors has filed for bankruptcy. Reuters reports:� Solar Trust of America LLC, which holds the development rights for the world's largest solar power project, on Monday filed for bankruptcy protection after its majority owner began insolvency proceedings in Germany. The Oakland-based company has held rights for the 1,000-megawatt Blythe Solar Power Project in the Southern California desert, which last April won $2.1 billion of conditional loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy. It is unclear how the bankruptcy will affect that project...� Solar Trust of America and several affiliates filed for protection from creditors with the U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware. It estimated to have as much as $10 million of assets, and between $50 million and $100 million of liabilities. Continued at �� http://reason.com/blog/2012/04/03/another-attempt-at-solar-power-central-p

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With court approval of bank deal, Connecticut homeowners can get help� Mon, 04/09/2012 - 3:41pm� By Ana Radelat� CTMirror.org

Court approval of a $26 billion deal between the nation's biggest banks and the Justice Department and all 50 states means Connecticut homeowners who may be eligible for federal aid can apply for a number of new programs for help.

Homeowners who were foreclosed upon by Ally Bank, Bank of America, Citbank, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo can apply for a settlement amount of between $1,500 and $1,800. The banks will try to track down those who qualify for the money. But those who think the banks lack their most current contact information can fill out a "settlement borrowers form" provided by the Connecticut attorney general or contact the banks directly, http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?a=2105&q=498966.� Perhaps the most important aspect of the deal, which a federal court approved last week, is the help it would give homeowners who have "underwater" mortgages serviced by the five banks. They could seek to reduce their loans' principal to current market value, which could mean cuts of $100,000 or more.� Article is continued at �.

http://www.ctmirror.org/blogs/court-approval-bank-deal-connecticut-homeowners-can-get-help

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Despite home value declines, property taxes continue to make up a high share ... of local tax revenues� by CTW Features nwitimes.com , April 8, 2012 According to most recent S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index, home prices are near 2003 price levels. That said, property taxes remain historically low.

U.S. Census Bureau data of state and local tax collections for the final quarter of 2011 show a small increase in property taxes paid on a year-over-year basis. For 2011, approximately $469 billion of such tax was paid by property owners. Continued at http://www.nwitimes.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/despite-home-value-declines-property-taxes-continue-to-make-up/article_a90ca455-c385-5fd1-b965-0096dc4f21b1.html

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Colorado ballot proposals would end property taxes, let most use pot
By Tim Hoover� The Denver Post April 8 2012� A wave of ballot initiatives with subjects ranging from the elimination of property taxes to allowing 21-year-olds to carry concealed handguns without a permit have been filed in Colorado. So far, there's only one initiative that's actually been approved for the November ballot, and that's Amendment 64, which would legalize limited possession of marijuana and allow for all people � not just those with doctors' permission � to buy it at pot shops�.. Initiative 77 aims to end property taxes by 2017. The initiative says that if voters by the end of 2016 didn't approve different taxes to offset the elimination of property tax revenue, there would have to be "equivalent cuts in spending that shall not affect primary and secondary education, local law enforcement agencies or fire protection." Continued at �� http://www.denverpost.com/legislature/ci_20349434/colorado-ballot-proposals-would-end-property-taxes-let

Also read WASHTENAW COUNTY: County commissioners split on personal property tax repeal�� http://www.heritage.com/articles/2012/04/08/heritagewest/news/doc4f804f8825856248734163.txt

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