Afternoon update
: You think the scoreboard keeper at Fenway Park is paying attention? That’s nothing compared to the scorekeepers in Connecticut politics these days. Every endorsement triggers a friend … and a memory. That no good sonuva bitch endorsed …
In 2007 Dan Malloy endorsed Bill Finch for mayor over State Rep. Chris Caruso. On Monday, at high noon in front of Harding High School, Finch endorsed Malloy’s chief rival for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination Ned Lamont alongside Democratic Town Chair Mario Testa. Say what? Why wasn’t Bill reciprocal? Say Stamford and Mario says my ass: those guys killed a casino for Bridgeport. Doesn’t matter to Mario then Republican Governor John Rowland, after promising to deliver a casino for the city, tanked it, his Stamford scoreboard memory flashes .000. Mario’s banking Ned’s personal wealth plus his support equals victory. We’ll see.
Absent among the collection of pols was Caruso who’s had a pretty good relationship with Ned through the years. Ned understands the Big Wave keeps score as well. The Big Wave received a courtesy call from Ned before the endorsement, one of those we’re doing this, love it if you could come but I understand the politics.
The crew that endorsed Ned is not the Big Wave’s crew. He’s been fighting them for decades. Big Wave doesn’t like Finch, Mario doesn’t like Caruso, Caruso doesn’t like them, Mario doesn’t like former party chair John Stafstrom, a Malloy supporter, John thinks Mario’s myopic. Yes indeed, one big happy family. That’s the risk you take with embracing an endorsement. What do you potentially lose in the way of enthusiasm from others?
Caruso started out as a supporter of former House Speaker Jim Amann who’s campaign for governor never really got started. When I spoke to him on Monday Caruso wasn’t ready to commit to an endorsement of Lamont. He’ll be talking to Malloy. Keep your options open. Chris, can you really see yourself endorsing Malloy? We’ll talk, and see what happens. No decisions.
One person Caruso will not be endorsing, no how, no way, would rather endorse Godzilla, is Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz who’s seeking Dick Blumenthal’s attorney general seat. After his narrow primary loss to Finch in 2007, Caruso challenged the results in state court, claiming party shenanigans cost him the election. Bysiewicz, as the state’s chief election official, did everything to advocate on behalf of Finch, he says.
“She’s the last person on earth I’d endorse,” the Big Wave told OIB. “Everything Susan does is all about Susan. First she’s running for governor, her next step is vintage Susan, shedding herself of the governor’s clothing when the attorney general position opens, and whatever she wants to run for in two years. She’s laughable, including her explanation of how she practiced law the past 10 years.”
So that leaves Caruso to consider support of SuBy rivals former Senate Majority Leader George Jepsen and New Haven State Rep. Cam Staples. The Big Wave is ready to listen.
Speaking of Listening …
Check out the cool political gossip tonight starting at 5:30, Bridgeport Holiday Inn, at the OIB party. Come by, say hello, grab a refreshment and mighty good eats. See ya soon.
Malloy And Wyman
It’s official. Dan Malloy has selected State Comptroller Nancy Wyman to serve as his running mate. A respected, first-class pol joins Team Malloy 10 days before the start of the Democratic state convention.
From Dan Malloy
MALLOY TAPS COMPTROLLER NANCY WYMAN AS HIS RUNNING MATE
Malloy says Wyman is ‘best running mate a candidate for Governor could ever have’
Former Stamford Mayor and Democratic candidate for Governor Dan Malloy today announced that he has selected State Comptroller Nancy Wyman to be his running mate. The pair addressed supporters and press outside the State Capitol, stressing their commitment to “growing jobs, getting our state budget in order, and building a better, brighter future for Connecticut.”
Wyman was elected to the office of State Comptroller in 1994, and has been re-elected three times. As the chief fiscal guardian for Connecticut’s taxpayers, she has worked to bring fiscal responsibility and honest budgeting to state government. Before becoming Comptroller, Wyman served four terms as State Representative from Connecticut’s 53rd District, rising to become House Chairperson of the Education Committee and Chairperson of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education.
Wyman said she made the decision to run with Malloy because she respects his accomplishments in the City of Stamford and believes his leadership is what Connecticut needs in these difficult times.
“Connecticut needs leaders who are not afraid to make bold decisions, and I am honored that Dan has asked me to join him in creating a team that will do just that,” Wyman said. “I have seen the kind of leadership Dan brought to the City of Stamford. Connecticut needs a governor like Dan Malloy who can get our state back on the right track.”
Malloy said Wyman is “the best running mate a candidate for Governor could ever hope to have,” and stressed her values and professional qualifications.
“Nancy is a person I’ve admired for a long time – not only a dedicated public servant, but also a fantastic mom, wife, and grandmother,” said Malloy. “She understands that it’s a privilege to serve in government, and that with that privilege comes certain responsibilities: hard work, honesty, and a belief that government can and should do good things. That understanding combined with her years of executive and legislative experience, especially when it comes to our state budget, makes her the best choice to serve as Connecticut’s next Lieutenant Governor.”
As a candidate for Governor, Malloy has travelled the state in recent months sharing his ideas for moving Connecticut forward. To date, his campaign has been endorsed by 39 Democratic Town Committees, 50 DTC Chairs, more than 100 elected officials and community leaders, and numerous labor organizations which combined represent tens of thousands of active and retired workers throughout the state. His campaign also has the support of more than 4,000 individual contributors who helped Malloy become the first gubernatorial candidate to qualify for the Citizens’ Elections Program, giving him access to up to $8.5M for his campaign.
Council Votes On Budget
The City Council Monday night approved Mayor Bill Finch’s spending package that begins July 1. It includes a one mil tax increase. One mil represents roughly $7 million. News release from the mayor below. What the release doesn’t tell you is $25 million was not included in the budget as part of the city’s contribution to pension funds delayed by the Connecticut Legislature in the hope of a market turnaround. The payment is due next year. In addition, the mayor publicly supported the one mil voter-approved referendum to support library services.
The City Council (met) in special session this evening to vote on the Mayor’s proposed $486 million dollar 2010-11 budget. The budget reflects the economic realities facing many municipalities – increasing expenses, especially for employee health care and pension plan contributions, paired with declining revenues.
“In order to balance the 2010-11 budget and not raise taxes, we will be asking our entire workforce to make nearly $8 million in concessions again during the upcoming budget cycle,” said Mayor Finch. “That includes me, and every other unaffiliated employee, all of whom have taken pay cuts, are paying a greater percentage of their health care premiums, and have had no raises for the past two years. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to prevent a tax increase and balance the coming year’s budget, and that includes taking a pay cut, or furlough, or a larger health care increase. I certainly don’t plan on accepting any salary increase this year under any circumstance.” Unaffiliated employees account for about 3 percent of the total City workforce.
Other than the voter-mandated Library Fund Tax, Bridgeport’s budget does not include a tax increase. In contrast, nearby, Stratford is facing a possible 4.4% increase in its budget, and New Haven, which may see an 8 percent tax increase if its budget is approved.
During the past two years the Mayor has enacted numerous cost-cutting measures, including cutting departmental budgets 10 to 20 percent and negotiating major concessions and givebacks from nearly all City labor unions. These measures included furloughs, zero-percent pay raises and increased health care cost share co-payments, as well as a reduction in staff, nearly 220 positions in all, to realize approximately $8 million in savings, and to achieve a balanced budget.
Despite the City’s continued aggressive stance on tax collection, revenues continue to decline at the local, state and federal level. Interest on investment income has also decreased. At the same time, expenses are on the rise, including health care costs, unsustainable pension plan contributions, and a projected $4 million decline in state revenues.
Despite those challenges, the coming year’s budget includes the following:
• $3.3 million less in spending from the 2009-2010 budget; the second year in a row we’ve created a budget with lowered spending from the prior year
• No tax increase (except the voter-mandated 1-mil increase for the Library Fund Tax)
• Flat funding for the Board of Education — $215 million
• Elimination of all take-home cars (with the exception of the Mayor, Police Chief and Fire Chief)
• $42 million in Capital Plan projects, including renovations to Black Rock, Dunbar and Longfellow Schools, and money to bond for a new Harding High School
• Municipal consolidation plan – moving offices from McLevy Hall and some health department offices into open space at City Hall Annex
• All department budgets remain flat, except for the Emergency Communications Center budget
“Keeping taxes at a reasonable level is a priority for my administration,” said Mayor Finch, adding, “especially so, given the extraordinarily difficult economic times all of our taxpayers are facing. With deep cuts on the federal and state level on the horizon, we seek to strike a balance between providing necessary, core services, and the ability and willingness of our citizens to pay their taxes.”
You want to talk about a TV ad that put a dent in someones campaign??? The establishment is behind Arlen Specter in PA, even the president. I disagree with Obama for endorsing Specter who was up 25% 1 month ago. This ad by Joe Sestak has him leading and the funny thing is this ad is 100% truthful … Specter says I changed my party to win the election!!! This ad is the best I have ever seen because it is the truth I must have replayed it 100 times. I said from the start I wanted Sestak to win!!! Watch the video …
www .youtube.com/watch?v=x97DdZho11k
Now on to local politics … I am supporting Ned Lamont, Caruso is my candidate in 2011 but I do not think you can judge SuBy by what Caruso said about him losing the election. That is a double standard by Caruso is he saying the main reason not to support her is because she did not grant him his wish??? To be fair he lost the election fair and square. If you look at the precinct by precinct results he ran badly at certain precincts in Bpt. He was a no-show at Marin and Longfellow … Finch easily won those precincts. I will be voting for Caruso if Ganim does not run or his brother. Caruso needs a better message!!!
Don, to be fair he was also chair of GAE for some time–he and Susan have very different ideas of what the election laws should be. Actually he’d probably sound a lot better saying it like that instead of making it personal, but Caruso is at least always honest.
On the budget, it is disingenuous for the Mayor to say the 1 mil is fully due to the library referendum. First, the referendum did not mandate a 1 mil increase–the people asked the administration to prioritize 1 mil of the existing tax collection to the libraries. This meant cuts in other places. Second, even if they could not find anything to cut in the lean mean fighting machine of city government, the existing annual appropriation that had already been in place for the libraries would certainly offset a portion of the 1mil–probably by close to 1/2 a mil. So this seems to be a case o f… bullshit the people and get some extra bucks to help with the budget mess. Tell the truth instead, the people would have more respect for the administration.
As for Malloy’s pick, brilliant if they can make it work.
As for Mayor Finch endorsing Ned Lamont, he needs to support Mario’s choice as it is getting close to his own election. He doesn’t want to give Mario any additional reason to back another mayoral candidate next year. Since the Mayor puts his own opportunity over loyalty every day of the week, it makes perfect sense. I saw that one coming a mile away! Have a great day everyone …
About our upcoming budget, I find I cannot easily get to the City web site at this moment, old or new Beta version, to track some of our budget history. However I did attend last night’s special session and cannot recall anyone spoke to the removal of $25 Million relating to Pension costs.
What I did hear the Mayor tell us, more than one time, was that he, alone, among all CT’s chief executives was advancing a budget that required no tax increase this year. Isn’t that great? Well it does depend on the full facts of the situation. Anybody who spoke last evening about the budget raised the difficulties in our current economic system and how that has affected government finance at each level.
Now I re-read Lennie’s comments from yesterday about a $494 Million 2010-11 budget and today’s CT Post report of a $469 Million budget. If the budget is that much less, shouldn’t they have been announcing a tax decrease, or has something happened to the Grand List that we have not heard? What I am asking: If the Grand List values are the same or similar, and the budget is the same as last year, then the mil rate and taxes paid would show no increase. However, were you to discover a 4-5% budget decrease, wouldn’t property taxpayers look for a decrease, too?
By the way I believe any obligation, such as pensions, needs regular funding every year until such a plan gets into an “overfunded status.” Don’t believe we are there! Deferring full funding in Social Security, Medicare, retiree pensions and health plans, etc. is what has put US taxpayers in such a poor position today.
So what is going on here? It is not about the Library. (The way the Library budget has been handled may indicate a wish to play the blame game when talking about budgets and City finances at some future time.) So, what is this about? Guess we’ll have to wait for some more inquiries and reports from those in the know.
City fund balance was mentioned last evening by Mayor Finch. If we aren’t putting $25 Million towards pension obligations this year, hoping for strengthening of benefit plan investments, why wouldn’t we put $25 Million in the City fund balance this year to be more ready for expected volatility? Our fund balance continues to be underfunded per City Council commitment in the past.
Perhaps someone with some time to do more research may look at the tax anticipation note concerns raised yesterday. With a $469 Million budget forecast, and 40-50% of that coming from the State of CT (presumably in a timely manner) because of the heavy funding obligation to Education in Bridgeport, what is going on with the cash flow details that requires two sets of notes each budget year and $94 Million for funding the next one? Should we be looking to see whether 09-10 expenses or 10-11 expenses have been paid by the funds to repaid to the note holders next summer? To the extent that paying 09-10 expenses with 10-11 budget revenues, we are living a lie, it seems to me. It makes a difference to understanding the City financial story. Calling all accountants, calling all accountants … Perhaps if more people asked for detail …? And if such detail has been made available in the budget sessions, has it been shared with the property taxpayers???
Finch is full of shit. You want to reduce the budget deficit? Eliminate the sacred cows. Start with Mario’s girlfriend who hasn’t done a damn thing in 10 years.
I smell Adam Wood’s greasy little fingers all over this. Wood with colossally bad political judgment told Bill to please Mario or else Mario would primary him. Finch is going to get primaried anyway; you think he would try to preserve one shred of his integrity. Now he looks like a whipped dog with his tail between his legs. So Finch abandoned his pal Stafstoum for Mario, or did Adam do that while Finch hid under his desk? Finch supported Lieberman and was not at all complimentary to Lamont. I suppose Lamont will take whatever he can get, including many people who are only as trustworthy as the last thing you gave to them. What have you done for me lately school of political greed? Makes me want to vomit. I’d take Caruso over Finch now because while you may not like what he says, you can trust it.
Frankly the only concern I really had about Lamont was his ability to cut a deal with the kind of self-serving politicians that run Hartford. The number of altruistic volunteer high school teachers that walk the halls of power is pretty small.
If he can get old opponents to come to his side when they don’t owe him anything, then he’s showing (to me) he can overcome those weaknesses. If he can get the Finch, Mario, and Caruso wings of the party to come together and start pulling in the same direction for the city, then maybe he can do some real good up there.
I’m into nasty gossip as much as the next webhead on this blog–Finch zooming Caruso zooming Mario zooming etcetera–but the bell don’t ring true on this budget the city is floating around.
Granted, they have six weeks to straighten things out. I’ll give them credit for finding savings. (And you can have deserved fun with some of their “savings” from stuff they never should have allowed.) But the $25 million pension payment is an extraordinary hole. Your average hoochie-koochie girl has more cover than these guys on this issue.
As the next mayoral election looms in Bridgeport, your fair city finds itself once again in a quandary. Finch intends to seek reelection. Purely an egoist move. He has accomplished absolutely nothing that would demonstrate his worthiness to retain office. Soon, the bond rating will slip further. This is a true measure of a mayor’s worth. In this case, his non-decision tenure results in increased costs without any form of newly created revenue source except the sweat from the backs of the city’s property owners.
Caruso will return to the primary scene for another go at the mayor’s job. Both times he attempted before he did so with no message of substance. He lost both times by a narrow margin principally for this reason.
Caruso v. Finch is the likely primary battle. Neither deserve to be mayor. We outsiders regard both as political and intellectual lightweights (Caruso’s girth notwithstanding). We think Caruso has already placed a first nail in his political coffin by denouncing SueBy ostensibly because she ruled against him as he positioned that illegal electioneering by Crew Finch did him in at the primary. SueBy ruled accurately. She did her job well in that circumstance. She is highly respected and a winner. Caruso should court her as a political asset. She brings much to those she supports.
“Bridgeport Now” Live Tue May 11 program on CH88 at 8pm
– Bridgeport City Councilman Bob Walsh to discuss city budget issues, after last night’s council vote to approve a 2010-11 budget of $469 million, which included $8 million in expected savings from union concessions/layoffs.
Taxes are too high in Bridgeport and budget stuff is not a sexy topic, but it hits your bottom line. Did they do a good job this year? What else could have been done? Tune in. The only rise now is the 1 mil rate you voted for the city library.
– Then, at 8:30, Charles Brilvitch talks about Bridgeport’s latest big city building sell-off: the MCLEVY HALL building on State Street.
We expect to have Caruso and Finch on the program in a debate, in the near future.
Ask Bob Walsh, who did oppose the Library question last fall, but who also honestly stated the 1 Mil carve out of the budget could have been “gracefully” handled by funding the rest of the budget and letting it go that way as a 100% entity. Ignoring the fact that so many people approved of the Library proposal is like holding on to other long-term memories, often disparaged in this column!!! And were you to go back about six years to the time when Mayor Fabrizi decided to flatline the Library budget until Mayor Finch threatened to cut that flat amount by 1/3 again; So, perhaps all that really happened is to put the Library system back to a place it might have been were it to receive the average annual increases handed out to certain budget elements. The wonder of all of it is local voters felt the Library system offered them something worth 1 Mil per year. Now what departments would be funded, or which ones would be out of luck, if voters had their say? That would be a rather direct form of democracy, and I would guess most of us would be hard pressed to determine those values. Instead we have representative democracy. So if we have questions, we need to ask our Council people for an explanation, especially if they are on the Budget and Appropriations Subcommittee. If they don’t have an answer, that is disappointing, isn’t it? So looking for competency, courtesy and gracefulness in government? Expect the best, set the standard high enough and it just might elevate our life course as a City.
*** Interested in what Bob has to say about the city budget proceedings & what line items were cut or just moved around? I calculated a minus $13 million shortfall due to the needed 1-mil, $7 million library increase, $2 million assumed state conveyance real-estate tax & $4 million in assumed union worker givebacks? *** The sale of an historic building where Pres. Honest Abe spoke & the rest of past events that have taken place there? Why not sell the annex instead, since the B.O.E. is supposed to move out of Lyon Terr.? The annex is much more business-type real-estate & larger than McLevy Hall. And what is going to happen about the money raised to re-do the U.S. Veterans Memorial on the side of McLevy hall? Not well thought out in my opinion unless whoever buys McLevy Hall keeps things as is except for improving the inside of the building, etc. *** Debate between Finch & Caruso on (Bpt. Live) will “never” happen! It would be suicide for the current admin. if Caruso comes prepared with a mission message besides just “corruption” again! ***
Bridgeport Now
Is it just me or is Walsh the only councilman that can be quoted or interviewed.
I am so frustrated with Caruso and Walsh that have absolutely no problem telling everybody at great length just how stupid and or corrupt the idea, development, etc is … But then never bring their own ideas to the table.
Easy to be a professional naysayer. Lot harder to get things done.
Referee’s Ruling:
Bob Walsh is the rare Councilman who posts here regularly and gets favorite son treatment for his blogging prowess and political acumen.
It’s just you! Few pols blog–for fear of sounding stupid or not being able to explain and justify their decisions.
Bridgeport Now and OIB always welcome the participation of all elected officials. What ever happened to Pat Crossin the OIB blogger?
Finch will NOT run again, he is hooking his wagon to Lamont to get a cushy Hartford job … if Lamont wins that is.
Say Lamont does win, now you have McCarthy, Caruso, Fabrizi, Gomes / Ayala Jr.
Smart money is on
Gomes / Ayala Jr.
Rick Torres’ people were out in full force at the Monroe Polls today. They were asking Republicans to sign his petition to get him on the ballot for the 4th Congressional district. It seems they got most of their signatures from the people who vote No. Hmmm wonder why that is?
MCAT There was a election in Monroe?
Are you a future product of a New York University?
In Monroe, the people vote to approve or reject a budget. It’s as if the voters make the budget decision the Bridgeport City Council makes for us here.
Upset I can’t be at the OIB party ’cause I’m at school … anyhow what do you guys think of Wyman she is more known than Glassman and now I have to think who will get my vote for Lt gov. Wyman is very popular.
Don, I think Wyman would have to be considered the odds-on favorite, as she is well-liked by party regulars. Still, I would be highly interested in seeing a name recognition poll of her amongst voters in the state. How many could correctly name her if asked to identify the Comptroller? People paying even the slightest attention to the race at this point are such a small group as to be practically a fringe group. We will see what comes.
CT Post study of the 4th district, very interesting.
www .ctpost.com/news/article/4th-Congressional-District-A-study-in-contrasts-481312.php
donj, can you name the Jamaican candidate for Connecticut Secretary of State? Yes, there is one.
Nope who? Garcia is my pick as of now.
Yes, Monroe is one of the last bastions in Connecticut that makes people vote in a town-wide referendum to pass a budget. We were on our third round today. It passed by 17, which means we will have a mandatory recount on Monday. We had a 43.7% turnout (5,719) which is good for a referendum. However half the town is upset because the education budget is destroyed by the first selectman’s draconian cuts. Even the people on his party who are on boards and commission are outraged by the cuts that will harm our town. We must close a school and cut art, music and physical education. Parents in Monroe already had the highest pay to play sports in the state and that was raised by $200 per sport. That makes the cost for a sport with a referee a minimum of $590.00 per child with no family cap. The other half of the town wanted a 0% increase. This time around the tax increase was 1.99% (education was 1.87%) which doesn’t even cover the costs of mandatory contract increases. Even though the mil rate dropped by around 2 we still had around 2,800 people voting no. The no votes will never drop below 2,000 no matter what is submitted. It happened one year when there was a 0% increase. I know most Bridgeporters don’t care what happens in Monroe and your problems are bigger. But those same No voters here are the people who try to scare the electorate into not voting for someone by invoking the name “Bridgeport.” That makes regional cooperation more difficult and decreases the chance for successful partnerships. That is what is happening in our town, neighbors hate each other, and there have been occurrences of assaults, intimidation, vandalism and lies. Sorry for the rant, but when around 2,500 people control the lives of 22,000 including the disenfranchised, one might say you have an oligarchy and not a democracy. People vote for their own self-interest which is human nature, but public officials are charged with looking out for the common good, including the children.
Lennie, I am sorry I missed the OIB party but I felt it was more important to be here to help get the vote out and talk to people at the polls. It was tough when you have a First Selectman who states it is not his place to take sides on the budget he presented. Who publicly through speech and written word changed his mind every hour, and pandered to the 0% side by apologizing for his own budget! I will conclude with “our leader’s” words to a real-estate forum held in Bridgeport, where regional CEOs put on their best faces and promoted their towns. He stated “In Monroe we have hoped … if you want your nails done or pizzas come to Monroe.” You just can’t make this stuff up.
Joel Corey Brinson???
Monroe is wonderful.
The hell with the grays, it is black or white, up or down.
You set MCAT a lock vote against any budget at 2,000. That means you need 3,000. (Let’s leave some squiggle room.)
If you guys can’t get it, tough. I dislike it when people want democracy to be pretty. It’s 50 percent plus one. If you lose, tough.