tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post111868745450449008..comments2023-10-18T11:04:13.946-04:00Comments on Connecticut Local Politics: Legislative Session WrapupGenghis Connhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042849182723767087noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1118789803007249172005-06-14T18:56:00.000-04:002005-06-14T18:56:00.000-04:00smalltowndem,Thanks for the comment. I actually st...smalltowndem,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment. I actually started this site to be a resource for Connecticut politics (a librarian impulse, I guess), so I'm glad you find it informative.Genghis Connhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13042849182723767087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1118764773593505052005-06-14T11:59:00.000-04:002005-06-14T11:59:00.000-04:00Pretty good analysis, though I think the failure o...Pretty good analysis, though I think the failure of campaign finance reform at the very end of the session will seriously hurt the Democrats. If this was an election year, it would be very bad news indeed for them. Since its not, they will be able to distance themselves from that failure and point out the good things about the 2005 session in 2006. But 2006 matters more.<BR/><BR/>Theoretically, minimum wage increases beyond a certain point, which CT passed long ago, hurt poor families more than they help. This is because most businesses have most of their costs in labor. If the cost of labor goes up, those businesses will hire less labor. More people will be unemployed. This effect occurs regardless of the size of the wage increase, though it is increased by a greater increase. This is because of the psychological impact on the business owner that the very fact that a minimum wage increase occured. They'll be less willing to plan to hire, despite what they can afford.<BR/><BR/>In this case, however, I would say the corporate tax hike will effect businesses and thus the unemployment rate more significantly than the puny minimum wage hike. How Democrats can talk about job creation on the one hand and raise business taxes on the other I'll never know. Job-creation doesn't come from rhetoric, it comes from business management decisions, which are based on how much money is in the bank.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1118763516739764612005-06-14T11:38:00.000-04:002005-06-14T11:38:00.000-04:00It's interesting that the Legislature has not acte...It's interesting that the Legislature has not acted on Blumenthal's effort to sue over "NCLB".<BR/><BR/>http://www.rep-am.com/story.php?id=22777<BR/><BR/>With local school boards now entering the debate, how long will Rell's State Board of Education maintain a netual position or will these local boards force local legislators to reconsider.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1118755257706712932005-06-14T09:20:00.000-04:002005-06-14T09:20:00.000-04:00Great site. I'm always trying to find good CT poli...Great site. I'm always trying to find good CT political blogs.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10588209794631621092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1118717705493442862005-06-13T22:55:00.000-04:002005-06-13T22:55:00.000-04:00Anonymous,About the map--you're right! Check out t...Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>About the map--you're right! Check out <A HREF="http://209.101.151.73/statementofvote/Reports%5CSR_2.html" REL="nofollow">this</A> election result, which is really interesting and actually fooled me when I created the map. Basically, a cross-endorsement won Bielawa the election. I'll have to change the map pronto. Good catch.<BR/><BR/>Ebpie,<BR/><BR/>I keep waiting for another Q-poll, which they tend to issue every two months or so. I figure they were waiting for the end of the session. I wouldn't be surprised to see mid to high 60s for Rell, though.<BR/><BR/>I have a feeling that Republicans may gain back a seat or two that they lost in 2004 thanks to the Kerry effect. It's questionable whether Rell would have coattails, considering how different she is from most legislative Republicans.<BR/><BR/>I disagree on Simmons and Shays, though. Simmons ran on protecting the sub base, which he failed to do. Courtney is going to hammer him on it, and the district will probably change hands. It's one of those crisis moments that can nullify an incumbent's advantage. Shays's district is trending Democratic (see his district's map), which means that he'll be hard-pressed, and I'd say his chances are about 50-50 right about now.<BR/><BR/>stomv,<BR/><BR/>I think the key is what you said, that the legislature "never acted radically." Much of what was accomplished was made possible through compromise, which has become a dirty word in Washington. But Democrats do have reasons to be proud, even if their leadership isn't all that great. Civil unions, stem cell research, higher wages and better health care are nothing to sneeze at.Genghis Connhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13042849182723767087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1118708560431779022005-06-13T20:22:00.000-04:002005-06-13T20:22:00.000-04:00Very good analysis of the session. But I would al...Very good analysis of the session. But I would also add Sen. John McKinney to the winners list. Lou DeLuca has been so marginalized that he may decide to leave next year, giving McKinney the leadership post he clearly seems to want. <BR/><BR/>Also, your 2004 State Representative map is incorrect. The 2nd district (Bethel, Danbury & Redding) is represented by a Republican.<BR/><BR/>Overall you have a great site. Glad I stumbled across it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214263.post-1118705611269101752005-06-13T19:33:00.000-04:002005-06-13T19:33:00.000-04:00I agree with the overall analysis of this session....I agree with the overall analysis of this session. While many were left wanting, no one walked away completely empty handed (the glaring exception being conservative Republicans). Rell is in excellent position to announce her candidacy for 2006. She has really come across as a moderate and pragmatic Republican who can get things done. I haven't seen any polls recently on her approval ratings, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are still in the mid 60's. If the state GOP ever gets it's act together and gets close to the Governor then it is possible they could gain a few seats in both chambers. Simmons and Shays will face tough opponents, but if the sub base stays and Tom Delay keeps out of the news they will probably get re-elected.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com