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