Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations

THE FIRST BATTLE is fast approaching in our campaign to end eminent domain abuse by having those who advocate it experience it themselves. We are holding a rally in Weare, New Hampshire over the weekend of January 21st and 22nd. We will meet in central Weare on Saturday morning at a location to be announced later. After a short briefing we will set out in all directions to ask Weare voters to express America's outrage over the Kelo vs. City of New London decision by signing the ballot initiative that was drafted by our supporters in Weare.� This initiative asks the Town of Weare to use eminent domain to seize the land of Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter for the purpose of economic development through the construction of an Inn. It must be filed by the end of January and will be voted on in March 2006.� Continued at this website �. http://www.freestarmedia.com/

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QUESTION:� WHAT TOWNS ALLOW NON RESIDENTS THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON THE BUDGET?� PLEASE LET US KNOW.�

Murray Renshaw, murraytheeye@snet.net

New London

Subject:� Nonresident Property Owners Right to Vote on Budget

December 18, 2005

Susan, Thanks for all the great information provided in your e mails- New London is presently working on charter revision. One of the new proposals many property owners would like to add is the right of non resident property owners to vote on the budget. Do you know what other towns in Connecticut allow the same? I think Westbrook is one. Please advise thanks for all the good work regards Murray Renshaw

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Robert� Fand, Robert7912@aol.com

Independent Party of Ct.-State Central

Subject:� 2006 November Representative or State Senator Election

Dear Susan, I hope you are doing well. It was a pleasure to talk with you today.� Please relay the following to your readership�."Attention to all taxpayer organization members from the Independent Party of Ct.-State Central. We are looking for candidates with heartfelt taxpayer oriented issues for State Representative or State Senator to run on our Independent Party line for the 2006 November elections. We currently have Minor Party status in five Danbury area State Representative districts. It would require the candidate and/or voting helpers of the candidate to go out and obtain valid petition signatures equal to 1% of the previous votes cast for that particular office. We could offer the possibility of doing all you�re reporting paper work which we have been doing for candidates since 1986 so you can have confidence in us. We do not intend to run candidates in districts that already have a local "Independent Party" name, such as in the Waterbury area, or other taxpayer affiliated name associated with it but other districts that do not or do not intend to affiliate with such a named party. Please contact Robert Fand,.M.D., Director. at 203-743-9467 or by e-mail through robert7912@aol.com . We can make and have made the difference in close elections."�� Thank you Susan.
Robert Fand, M.D.

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Mike Guarco, BudgetGuru06035@aol.com,

Mike is Chairman of the Granby Board of Finance and The Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility

Subject:� Consortium hits two milestones in recruitment

FYI.... for those who may wonder how things stand..... last week we logged the 75th town on the roster of Consortium member towns - with the endorsement of the Board of Finance in Darien.� The subsequent backing from the BOF in Warren... and this week's endorsement by the BOS in Cornwall - led by Gordon Ridgway - the D First up there - brings us up to an even 100 boards in our camp....and 77th town,,,with more in the works. Note these milestones coming less than 12 months after the first boards signed on.�� With the start of the session less than 2 months away.... a number of locally hosted recruitment events around the state will add to our numbers substantially. Our thanks to the leaders in towns like Cornwall... Easton... Ashford... and Stonington who will host and are helping bring their neighbors into our ranks.� Best of the season to you all!� Mike Guarco

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John Barrett, jmbe1@charter.net

Coventry

Subject:� Property Tax Reform

Dear Susan - It is great that you have brought this issue to the forefront. I have been standing on my soapbox for the last two years regarding the same issue. The only difference I had in my desired reform is if refinancing a home happens, or a second/equity loan is taken your property, the property should be assessed at the new property value the owner has placed on it and borrowed against it and taken advantage of the capital gain to be realized.� I have been deep in the tax battle trenches locally in Coventry for years. I have put up with years of abuse by the "pro-education" crowd. I have had arbitrary assessment reviews by the assessor. And my business has suffered an underground boycott from certain business owners and government agencies because of my personal politics. But I am still hear and they know I'm still hear and active.� Thank you for all your good work.� John

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Mike Guarco, BudgetGuru06035@aol.com,

Mike is Chairman of the Granby Board of Finance and The Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility

December 29, 2005

From Mike:� This and related material will shock all...even the libs who will be losing program and people to cover the give-aways they are responible for..........the GASB rules will bring it all out into the open.....and help shine the spotlight on the differentials in public employee comp and everybody else.� Read the following article written by

Edward Achorn: Called to account: 'If anybody understands it, they'll freak out', 01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, December 27, 2005

TAXPAYERS in Rhode Island -- and nationwide -- will soon be learning some very unpleasant facts of life about debts the politicians have been running up in their name for many years, in courting favor with public-employee unions. And some union leaders are understandably getting twitchy about the day when the spotlight gets switched on.

The federal Government Accounting Standards Board has ordered states and communities to start reporting, in less than two years, how much they owe government retirees for (often free or low-priced) health coverage. The true costs -- which have been kept hidden from the public until now, since governments have conveniently failed to keep track of the mounting pricetag -- are staggering, experts say. Nationwide, the unfunded liability could be $1 trillion.

"This is a huge liability," Jan Lazar, an independent benefits consultant in Lansing, Mich., told The New York Times ("The next retirement time bomb," Dec. 11). "If anybody understands it, they'll freak out." When Duluth, Minn., recently ran the numbers for providing free lifetime health care for its retired workers, their spouses and their children up to age 26, the total came to $178 million -- more than double the city's operating budget, The Times pointed out. Duluth simply cannot afford it, the mayor warned. Public disclosure of such costs will have repercussions, some of them alarming. Cities and towns may have such huge liabilities that their bond ratings will plummet, making it extraordinarily expensive or impossible to borrow money. Some may be forced into bankruptcy. Local taxes -- in Rhode Island, already among the nation's highest -- may have to be raised sharply, and services slashed. Citizens are sure to be angry that even more of their money will have to go for even worse government because of deals cut long ago, and never fully explained. Union officials fear the public will pressure politicians to slash benefits. As Rhode Island House Finance Chairman Steven Costantino told The Journal's Katherine Gregg ("It's a fiscal nightmare," Dec. 18), the revelations will throw a spotlight on the difference between the public sector, which enjoys generous health benefits, "and the segment of the population, probably working in the private world, that does not." That could re-ignite a discussion about national health care. Of course, those of us in the private sector, struggling to survive in a competitive world, are paying most of the bills for those in the public sector. While we focus on our jobs, paying taxes, and keeping our children clothed, sheltered, educated and healthy, special interests are at work day and night to influence the political system. In many states, public-employee unions and their operatives have learned to contribute heavily to campaigns, get out the vote, elect friendly politicians, and handsomely pay experienced, full-time advocates to represent their interests at the state house and at city hall. To be sure, that's our system -- the best there is. Unfortunately, the common good and the public interest sometimes get short shrift, even in the best system, and even when agreements are made "in good faith." It's human nature. Politicians often don't worry about cutting deals whose costs will be inflicted on later generations of taxpayers, such as offering free health care to government retirees. They won't be around to suffer the wrath of the voters who foot the steep and rising bills. And politicians can get away with selling out to special interests because the public is too busy and apathetic to notice -- or because voters are denied essential information that could help them better understand what is at stake. The requirement that states and communities finally come clean with taxpayers and bondholders about retirement costs may make the stakes all too clear. But, as with all of life's problems, we are best off facing the grim truth squarely, and deciding what to do about it. Questions will inevitably be raised: Can we afford to keep all of the promises that were made years ago to our public employees, many of them good people who work hard for us? Can adjustments, or compromises, be made that would spread the pain around? Is it moral, fair and just to bankrupt cities and towns to provide such generous benefits for a few? Is there a better way to run government, focusing a little more on those who receive the services, and a little less on rewarding those who deliver the services?

One union chief, Robert Walsh, the executive director of the National Education Association Rhode Island, lamented to Ms. Gregg that he expects the new reporting requirements to spark "some knee-jerk reaction against benefits, which, sadly, we are getting used to."

"We will have to educate folks again," he said, "that these are benefits that folks have earned that were part of their terms and conditions of employment and every state in the country is in the same boat."� That will be an important discussion. This time, at least, the public will be armed with information about how much such "terms and conditions" are actually going to cost taxpayers.

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Donald Patterson, dpatterson.coco@comcast.net

Vernon-Rockville

Subject:� State Department of DCF

December 24, 2005

I got your letter and seasons greeting today and may you and your family have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years too. My main concern as a taxpayer and as a parent whose kids have been through the DCF system is the extraordinary wasteful programs they have. Their programs only prolong and intensify the problems that got the kids there in the first place.� They waste so much money, they make Ted Kennedy a fiscal conservative by comparison.�� Former State Senator Kevin Rennie wrote a great article in last Sundays Courant about DCF and their $800 million dollar budget( its actually $775 million) but at that amount whats another $25 million. If I saw results and accomplishments I might accept those figutes but every year DCF's budget rises and so do the problems and failures associated with them.� One thing you wrote in your Season s Greetings letter made me think of something I wrote and investigated on my own on. I believe the size of the legislature needs to be reduced. I made up a plan when the last reapportionment was made and Governor Rowland ignored me and State Senator Tony Guglielmo thought it was a bad idea but did not explain why. My plan would have saved the state over $3.3 million.�� Connecticut's population ranks 29th in the country yet we have the 9th largest state legislature. My proposal called for reducing the state senate from 36 members down to 16 members by having only two state legislators from each of the 8 counties, much in the same way the US Senate has 2 senators from each of the 50 states. The state representatives would be reduced from 151 down to 69 members by having only one state representative for every 50,000 people. Keep on mind that some legislative districts have trouble rounding up two candidates to run in the state elections. In the 2004 election, 38 state senators and state representatives ran unopposed. Is that democracy in action? My proposal did not take into account mailing costs for each state politician but if the total number were reduced, the total savings would undoubtedly be more than my estimate of $3.3 million. They have no problem laying off state workers but don't dare reduce their numbers!

�

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AUDIT DETAILS PUBLIC WORKS CORRUPTION
Associated Press, 11/13/05

HARTFORD � A state auditors� report on the Connecticut Department of Public Works during a two-year period of the former Rowland administration details much of the corruption discovered at the agency.� Contract irregularities, lax or nonexistent management controls, suspension of employees who were suspected of illegal activities, failure to follow state fiscal guidelines and even the hot tub at then-Gov. John G. Rowland�s Litchfield house that kicked off investigations into the burgeoning scandals are mentioned in the report that was issued last week.� Officials of Gov. M. Jodi Rell�s administration say many problems and weaknesses cited in the audit of the agency, which covers 2000-02, have been corrected and other changes are planned.�� State Auditors Robert G. Jaekle and Kevin Johnston say flaws in the agency must be studied to prevent new problems.�� That�s our responsibility: to look at agencies, to confirm and document the systemic problems that may have existed, to make recommendations and to let the public know how agencies respond,� Johnston said.�� Virtually all the top officials at the public works agency have changed since the period covered by the audit.� The state public works agency played a key role in the awarding of state contracts that became a major focus of investigations. Rowland is serving a year in federal prison after pleading guilty to a corruption charge last year.� Peter Ellef, Rowland�s former co-chief of staff, and Lawrence Alibozek, the ex-governor�s former deputy chief of staff, have pleaded guilty to steering state contracts to firms in return for bribes.� William Tomasso, a top executive and part owner of the New Britain-based Tomasso Group of companies, also has pleaded guilty in the scheme.� Johnston said the audit focused on the Department of Public Works, not individuals.�� Among the audit�s findings was a $100,000 change order that lacked proof it had been properly approved.� James T. Fleming, the public works commissioner who took over in 2003, said DPW has imposed changes that require much more documentation �than ever before.�� Another problem cited by the audit was DPW�s lack of control over state spending at the governor�s residence in Hartford. The report found that the state spent $20,000 a year for catering and $20,000 on groceries for the governor�s residence during the Rowland years. Little documentation proved the spending was proper, the audit said.�� The report said the public works agency paid the cost of electrical wiring at the governor�s residence for the hot tub that was Rowland�s property.�
Payments to disconnect the hot tub from the residence �appear not to be allowable,� the auditors said.� The auditors called for strengthening internal controls over spending at the governor�s residence. Fleming said internal control procedures now in place are sufficient.�
In addition, Rell has imposed contracting safeguards by executive order and is negotiating with the General Assembly over legislation to make the reforms state law.

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HERE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE

From:

Theresa McGrath

Family Alliance for Children in Education

FACE0203@comcast.net

(860) 570-1203

Dear Friends, The Alliance for School Choice has sent us the word that they once again need our help by signing onto the attached letter; by replying back to NL@AllianceForSchoolChoice with your name, organization title and name and the state you reside in.

This is a wonderful thing, to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina! Thank you for all your support!

Theresa McGrath

Please refer to the following.� Thank you.� Theresa

-----Original Message-----
From: N. Llumiquinga [mailto:NL@AllianceForSchoolChoice.org]
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 12:41 PM
To: N. Llumiquinga
Cc: Laura Devany; Kathy Krueger
Subject: URGENT: We need your support today Re: Katrina legislation
Importance: High

Dear friend,

Once again, we call upon you to support our efforts as the U.S. Congress develops the final supplemental package to address various needs arising from Hurricane Katrina. We are requesting that any proposal provide equitable and efficient funding to help all displaced students including those in public and private schools.

We are at the final hours where some friendly support may be included. WE NEED YOUR HELP ON THIS EFFORT. The attached letter must be sent this afternoon.

Please reply ASAP if I may add your name/organization to the letter.

Thank you for your continued support!� Nelson

Nelson Llumiquinga,   Director of Outreach & Training
Advocates for School Choice,    5080 N. 40th St. Suite 375
Phoenix, AZ 85018;    602.468.0900 p;    602.468.0920 f
602.332.3303 c;    AllianceForSchoolChoice.org

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Bush Lets Government Spy on Callers Without Warrants

By JAMES RISEN and ERIC LICHTBLAU, The New York Times, Dec 16, 2005

WASHINGTON (Dec. 16) - Months after the Sept. 11 attacks, President Bush secretly authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans and others inside the United States to search for evidence of terrorist activity without the court-approved warrants ordinarily required for domestic spying, according to government officials.� Continued at the following website�.� http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20051215232809990023&ncid=NWS00010000000001

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Home for Christmas (from the Wall Street Journal)
Susette Kelo's story: from humble abode to eminent domain.
BY MELANIE KIRKPATRICK, Saturday, December 24, 2005 12:01 a.m. EST

NEW LONDON, Conn.--It's the week before Christmas, and as my train from Manhattan nears this old New England seaport, I can't help but hum a few bars of that seasonal favorite, "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays."� Continued at the following website:� http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110007723

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From:� Pat Snyder, Snyderpate

US House of Rep.Vote Christmas OK!

Dec 22, 2005

Also Visit Pat�s Website at: http://www.watchdog4pop.blogspot.com/

22 Congressmen Hate Christmas - This year's "War for Christmas" � keeping "Christ" in the holiday has apparently been won. And, like many "wars," there has even been a Congressional resolution in support of keeping Christmas alive and well.� On December 15 the House of Representatives passed a resolution "protecting the symbols and traditions of Christmas" by an overwhelming 401-22 vote.� Continued at the following website:� http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/12/22/172328.shtml

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Interesting Websites:� http://www.cfer.us/pageView.asp?PageID=4 ; http://www.medlineplus.gov/ ; http://drudgereport.com/� , http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ , http://politicalwire.com/ ; http://nationalreview.com/, http://www.tnr.com/ , http://freecycle.org/ (send your favorite website to us and we will include in a future edition)

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