Capitol News from State Senator Gayle Slossberg

September 2009 Issue

Capitol address
Legislative Office Building
Room 2200
Hartford, CT 06106-1595

On the Web
www.SenatorSlossberg.cga.ct.gov

Phone
Capitol: 860-240-0482
Toll-free: 1-800-842-1420

This month’s Capitol News gives details of the biennial budget now in place for the State of Connecticut, a federal court’s ruling on our landmark campaign finance program and some good news for the future of Long Island Sound.

Gayle

A Budget for Connecticut

Connecticut Budget The budget that I voted for, while imperfect, helped move our state forward. We cut over three billion dollars, raise revenue on couples who earn over one million dollars a year and protect vital investments for students, seniors and everyone in between.

For example, family resource centers will continue to operate for working moms and dads and state colleges can continue to serve students. In addition, Education Cost Sharing grants to municipalities are flat funded so local officials don't have to pass a greater burden on to property tax payers.

I am still going to keep a watchful eye on our revenue and spending numbers. As your budget watchdog, it is my job to make sure we are getting everything we can for your hard-earned dollars.

A Close Eye on the Campaign Finance Case

gavel Late last month, a federal court judge ruled that portions of Connecticut’s campaign finance legislation are unconstitutional and issued an injunction that effectively shuts down our state’s landmark clean-campaign reforms. While the state was granted a stay of the injunction and plans to appeal the ruling, this is a blow to the reforms that have been crafted to remove outside influence from political campaigns.

While it remains to be seen how this situation will work out in our court system, I will continue to closely monitor the developments in this case. As Senate chair of the Government Administration & Elections Committee, I will stay in close contact with our attorney general and elections officials and will prepare to take action to help maintain the public trust in our election system should any changes to our election laws be deemed necessary.

Protecting Long Island Sound

Long Island Sound lighthouse
Long Island Sound is one of Connecticut’s most precious natural resources, and it plays a major role in our local and state economies. It’s a source of employment, recreation and tourism; however, it must be closely guarded and preserved.

This year, I voted to override of the governor’s veto of a bill that creates a bi-state Long Island Sound Commission. This 14-member commission, which will include members from New York as well as Connecticut, will review major environmental, ecological and energy issues involving the Sound when potential threats arise, then seek consensus on strategies and recommend action.

Working together, New York and Connecticut successfully protected the Sound from the Broadwater liquefied natural gas terminal proposal and the Islander East pipeline — which would have jeopardized this valuable resource. This commission will help protect the Sound long into the future.