From Susan Kniep, President
The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations,
Inc.
Website: http://ctact.org/
email: fctopresident@ctact.org
860-524-6501
April 11, 2006
WELCOME TO THE 72nd EDITION OF
TAX TALK
Major State Legislative Issues for 2006
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2006/rpt/2006-R-0028.htm
Citizens Against
Government Waste
http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homePage
2006 Pig Book
http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reports_pigbook2006
Taxpayers Against
Fraud
http://www.taf.org/
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Do you have a subject you wish to be kept
current on?
Use the following resource…. Google
Alerts
Do you want to track a Bill in the State
Legislature?
Use the following resource…. http://www.cga.ct.gov/aspx/cgapublicbilltrack/Register.aspx
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PROPOSED STATE LEGISLATIVE BILLS
STATUS REPORT
The following are some of the Bills which FCTO has been
following and which we have addressed.
Note ALIVE denotes that the Bill came out of Committee.
DIED indicates it remains in Committee and appears to be dead.
Click on the hyperlink for further info.
Also note that the Active Bills could be subject to revisions prior
to adoption.
What Bills are You Following?
Email us today for our next Tax Talk publication!
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Eminent Domain Bills: Note that these Bills do not prevent government from taking your
property by Eminent
Domain for private gain, nor does it protect the rights of the New London homeowners to
remain in their homes.
S. B. 665 Alive: AN ACT CONCERNING EMINENT DOMAIN PROCEEDINGS.
To (1) allow certain property owners to repurchase property taken from them by
eminent domain if the land is not used for a public use and is subsequently
resold, (2) prohibit persons from misrepresenting that they are authorized to
acquire property by eminent domain by making such misrepresentation an unfair
trade practice, (3) require appraisals in eminent domain proceedings to be
conducted by state-licensed real estate appraisers in accordance with uniform
standards, (4) require the consent of the parties before a court may appoint a
judge trial referee to review a statement of compensation in an eminent domain
proceeding, (5) increase the maximum payments for relocation assistance, and
(6) revise the standards used by local legislative bodies prior to authorizing
the use of eminent domain pursuant to a development plan under chapter 132 of
the general statutes. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=665&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=11&SUBMIT.y=5
S.B. 34 Alive: AN ACT REVISING THE PROCESS FOR THE TAKING OF
REAL PROPERTY BY MUNICIPALITIES FOR REDEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT. To revise the process for
eminent domain for municipal redevelopment projects and economic development
projects by (1) requiring a determination in the plan that a taking of real
property is for a public use or economic development; (2) requiring a
two-thirds vote if the taking is for economic development; (3) increasing
compensation if the taking is for economic development; and (4) authorizing the
owner of condemned real property to challenge all aspects of the taking. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00034&which_year=2006
H.B. 5038 Alive: AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN
BY MUNICIPALITIES AND AUTHORIZING MUNICIPALITIES TO ESTABLISH SEPARATE RATES OF
TAXATION. To (1) revise the process for
taking of real property by municipalities for redevelopment and economic
development by (A) excluding residential properties from takings for economic
development, (B) increasing compensation to owners of property to an amount not
less than one hundred fifty per cent of the property's fair market value and
two hundred per cent of the property's fair market value if the property is
taken by eminent domain for economic development purposes, (C) requiring
two-thirds approval of the legislative body for a taking for economic
development, (D) requiring any acquisition of real property by eminent domain
be not more than five years after approval of a plan, (E) establishing a grant
program to compensate persons for the costs of contesting an eminent domain
proceeding, (F) providing a tax credit against the income tax for persons
residing in distressed municipalities, (G) requiring disclosure of information
on the taking of real property by eminent domain, (H) prohibiting discussion of
the acquisition of real property by eminent domain at executive session
meetings, and (I) establishing a Property Rights Ombudsman; and (2) authorizing
municipalities to establish separate rates of taxation for real estate. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05038&which_year=2006
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H. B. 5576 Alive: AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONTENT OF MINUTES OF A
MEETING UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND THE COPYING OF PUBLIC
RECORDS. To establish
a content requirement for the minutes of a meeting of a public agency and to
enable individuals to utilize their own equipment to copy public records. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5576&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=5&SUBMIT.y=5
The following are the comments of Scott
Coleman of Rocky Hill who initially proposed legislation to define Minutes and
their content and to reduce the cost of obtaining public documents: As currently drafted, this
Bill seeks to (1) reduce the cost of document copies from $.50 to $.10 per
page. (2) permit
individuals to utilize their own equipment (scanners, cell phone cameras,
portable copiers, etc) to make copies of public documents. Agencies would be
required to provide an electrical outlet. Unfortunately, this Bill does not (as
yet) remove the outrageous $10 fee which may be charged for each copy session.
(3) require that all meetings be tape recorded, and
that a copy of that tape would be provided upon request. This Bill further
requires that, upon request, agencies must provide a written transcript created
from the tape. Again, unfortunately, this Bill suffers from legislative
meddling, and stipulates that the first individual requesting a transcript
would have to bear the transcription costs, which would be considerable.
Currently, efforts are being made to amend the Bill’s language to insure that
these costs are passed on to the agencies.
This was a simple bill whose original objectives were simply to define
the word “minutes”, and to reduce the cost of copies. It went awry when those
who didn’t understand the original statute tried to make changes.
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S. B. 701 Alive: AN ACT CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS
FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AND FOR SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC SYSTEMS, AND INSTITUTING
AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR THE PROVISION OF REGIONAL SERVICES. To (1) reform the manner of property tax
assessments by providing for revaluations only when real property undergoes a
change in ownership or has improvements made, (2) extend the exemption from
property tax for solar energy electricity generating systems, and (3) establish
a regional performance incentive program to encourage reduction in mill rates
through provision of services on a regional basis.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=701&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=7&SUBMIT.y=8
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H.B. 5741 Died: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PREVAILING WAGE
THRESHOLDS.
To increase the prevailing wage thresholds. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5741&which_year=2006
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H.B. 5393 Died: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF
THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM REVIEW AND INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE RELATING TO BINDING
ARBITRATION FOR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES.
To revise statutes relating to municipal binding arbitration
in accordance with the recommendations of the program review and investigations
committee. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5393&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=6&SUBMIT.y=4
H.B. 5490 Died: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM REVIEW AND INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE CONCERNING BINDING
ARBITRATION FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES. To revise statutes relating to binding arbitration for school
employees in accordance with the recommendations of the program review and
investigations committee. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5490&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=8&SUBMIT.y=6
H.B. 5491 Alive: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF
THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM REVIEW AND INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE RELATING TO
CONNECTICUT'S TAX SYSTEM. To implement
the recommendations of the Legislative Program Review and Investigations
Committee relating to Connecticut's
tax system. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5491&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=6&SUBMIT.y=11
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Ethics Bills: S.B. No. 53, S.B. No. 184, S.B. No. 185,
S.B. No. 487, S.B. No. 488, S.B.
No. 491, H.B. No. 5054, H.B. No.
5055, H.B. No. 5065, H.B. No. 5205, H.B. No. 5207
S.B. 53 Died: AN ACT CONCERNING GENERAL GOVERNMENTAL
REFORM. To implement
the Governor's budget recommendations.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=53&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=8&SUBMIT.y=8
S.B. 184 Died: AN ACT CONCERNING REVOCATION OF PENSION AND
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BENEFITS FOR CORRUPT STATE OR MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS. To enhance the integrity of
the state and municipal governments.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=184&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=6&SUBMIT.y=5
S.B. 185 Died: AN ACT CONCERNING THE REBUTTABLE
PRESUMPTION UNDER THE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION STATUTE. To extend the application of the rebuttable presumption under the whistleblower statute to
personnel actions taken or threatened within five years of the employee's
transmission of information to the Auditors of Public Accounts or the Attorney
General. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=185&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=13&SUBMIT.y=6
S.B. 487 Alive: AN ACT CONCERNING ETHICS IN STATE
GOVERNMENT. To amend provisions of the
state's ethics and campaign finance laws in order to prohibit certain lobbying
and campaign contribution soliciting practices. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=487&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=7&SUBMIT.y=3
S.B. Bill 488 Died: AN ACT CONCERNING EMPLOYEES OF QUASI-PUBLIC
AGENCIES. To prohibit members of a quasi-public agency from benefiting from
certain contracts entered into by the quasi-public agency. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=488&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=13&SUBMIT.y=4
S. B. 491 Died: AN ACT CONCERNING A STATE LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMITTEE . To establish a legislative
ethics committee. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=491&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=5&SUBMIT.y=4
H. B. 5054 Died: AN ACT
REGULATING MUNICIPAL LOBBYING. To provide for the regulation
of municipal lobbyists in the same manner as the regulation of state lobbyists. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5054&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=18&SUBMIT.y=6
H. B. 5055 Alive: AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL AND DISTRICT
ETHICS CODES. To require each
municipality and special district to (1) establish an ethics code for its
officials and employees or update any existing ethics code to comply with
requirements set forth in the bill, (2) establish a procedure for investigating
and deliberating on allegations of unethical conduct, corrupting influence or
illegal activities, unless the municipality or district has established an
agency for such purposes, and (3) establish a policy for disclosure of
financial interests of municipal or district officials and employees, unless
the municipality or district has previously required such disclosure. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5055&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=7&SUBMIT.y=9
H. B. 5065 Died: AN ACT CONCERNING ETHICS. To
require a study of ethics statutes. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5065&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=10&SUBMIT.y=4
H. B. 5207 Died: AN ACT CONCERNING COURT REDUCTION OR
REVOCATION OF PENSIONS OF STATE EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS WHO COMMIT FRAUD AGAINST
THE STATE. To allow for the court
ordered reduction or revocation of pension benefits when a state employee or
public official commits a crime related to state office. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5207&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=8&SUBMIT.y=10
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S. B. 626 Alive: AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL READINESS.To address funding needs and reaccreditation
concerns for school readiness programs. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=626&which_year=2006&SUBMIT.x=13&SUBMIT.y=6
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George Ruhe, garuhe@snet.net
Wethersfield Taxpayers
Association
Subject: Channel 15,
April 4 Show with Susan Kniep, Former Mayor of East
Hartford and Barbara Surwillo, Former Mayor of
Wethersfield
April 5, 2006
Dear Susan: I enjoyed
the program last night. You and Barbara touched on many pertinent issues that
are appropriate to most communities.
Perhaps arrangements can be made to have it rebroadcast on Channel 15
and /or Channel 14 in Wethersfield.
I did record the program, and if desired it could be made available
for replay. I am forwarding a copy of
this e - mail to the WTXA Board of Directors, Rick Garrey, President of WCTV, as well as several other interested
citizens of Wethersfield. Regards: George A Ruhe
(I also extend my sincere appreciation to
Barbara Surwillo for having me as her guest on her
show. She is a remarkable woman
dedicated to improving the governments of Rocky Hill and beyond. Susan Kniep)
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Tom Ahern, TOMNHCTHALLOCK7@MSN.COM
New
Haven, FCTO Board Member
$400,000.
TAX DELINQUENCY-WILL
THE ALDERMEN AND TAX PAYERS BE CONNED AGAIN?
April 10, 2006
$400,000 unpaid taxes, that
Mayor De Stefano says may cost
the City another $6 1, 000 plus
foreclosure costs, after a 16 year tax delinquency. The Alderman
were previously fooled in
a business loan , from the CITY
OF NEW HAVEN,( $250,000 as I
recall) related to
this subject. Will our
Aldermen take a closer look at
this? The Mayor proposes foreclosure
and sale of #
108 Food Terminal Plaza
to the adjacent owner at 104 Food Plaza
Terminal…..Where was the Tax collector
during 16 years tax delinquency?
Where was the
Economic Development Dept, for
the empty property for
16 years? Will there then be other grants or loans to
a new buyer?
104 Food Terminal Plaza, then Annicelli Fruit Co,
, received that loan ( $250,000
as I recall ) with the promise
of “creating new jobs”. At the time, they owed about $70,000
in back taxes. That fact was hidden from the Aldermen by the then City
development czar. THE LOAN
RECIPIENTS FORMED A
NEW CORPORATION, ( NEW
ORLEANS FRUIT …..)
WITH LIMITED OR
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY…….AND IN A FEW MONTHS THEY
WERE OUT OF BUSINESS! NO NEW JOBS ,ANOTHER EMPTY BUILDING, AND TAX PAYERS’ MONEY ( $250,000) GONE Will
the City Aldermen look closely
at this new proposal to prevent going down the same path? Will the City get the best offer, or is this
another “insider” deal? What happened to the CITY’S 104 Food
Terminal Plaza
loan ( New Orleans Fruit Co, &
$250,000 as I recall) since that time?
A logical question
for our Aldermen. The City’s apparent tax
or development negligence may perhaps
now allow the tax delinquent
property owner, after “coasting” with unpaid taxes for 16 years, to sell at an inflated price, before the City
can act. NOW ANOTHER CITY PROPOSAL: With
a $500,000 (+/-) tax delinquency as the City’s
investment in 458 Grand Ave, how will
the City get the best deal? Will
the aldermen look into the partners of the proposed developer? Will the City be further financing this
project?
Many of us hope
that the aldermen and the NEW
HAVEN REGISTER, will keep us informed.
Submitted on behalf
of many interested citizens. Thomas Ahern,203-773-1571
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The Conspiracy Against the Taxpayers, Steven Malanga ….. FOR 50 YEARS, public unions, health-care
lobbyists, and social-services advocacy groups have doggedly been amassing
power in state capitols and city halls, using their influence to inflate pay
and benefits for their workers and to boost government spending. The bill for
that influence is now coming due, and it is overwhelming state and local
budgets. Continued at this
website: http://www.city-journal.org/html/15_4_taxpayers.html
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