Amann's "slush fund"
Back in December, the Federation of Connecticut Taxpayers Organization (FCTO) charged the state government with the existence of "slush funds." But some may say that's an unfair characterization.
The taxpayers' "slush fund" may also be called (Speaker of the House) Jim Amann's "discretionary fund."
The NHR described the "slush funds" in this way:
The question is, where does the money come from, and how is it dispersed? Democratic leaders and Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell negotiated a deal in which the state budget has $6 million to be spent at the discretion of Amann, D-Milford, state Sen. President Donald Williams Jr., D-Brooklyn, and Rell.
Essentially, the three leaders have $2 million each to spend as they please. Unlike most state dollars spent, no public hearing is required. Critics question whether the money some of the agencies receive could be better spent elsewhere. (by Brian McCready)
However, the NHR continued:
Rell’s chief spokesman, Christopher Cooper, said the governor supports eliminating the contingency dollars, saying Rell prefers every dollar being vetted thoroughly before it’s spent. In fact, Cooper said, it was Democratic leaders who insisted the "contingency funds" be included in the state’s budget.
"The governor has no problem getting rid of it. She has favored projects being vetted and prioritized through the agency of jurisdiction," Cooper said.
According to the article, it's only Amann who is spending his "slush fund." And to no surprise, he defends his "slush fund" vigorously. But he also gets hammered by a member of his own party.
one Democratic lawmaker, who asked not to be identified, blasted the contingency dollars.
"There are no public hearings, and no review process," said the lawmaker. "You don’t have to show a state interest to get the money. There is no control, no rhyme or reason on a lot of these things."
"If you’re not in good favor with your leadership, you won’t get any money," the lawmaker added.
Finally, the article mentions that as of mid-December, Amann had dished out about half of his $2,000,000 "slush fund."
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
5 comments:
There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects.
There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.
It could never be more truly said than of the first remedy, that it was worse than the disease. Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.
Well I guess we all know where Amann has wasted $525,000. Give it back to the State. I just read where the State is saying their "surplus" fund will not be as large as they thought. I guess if it's ok for our TC to top off Cheshire's surplus, the State could do the same.
The State's surplus fund is lower than expected, yet they still want to hand out $525,000 for turf. It should go to something that is worthwhile.
Toxic Turf -
Can you say benzothiazole, butylated hydroxyanisole, hexadecane, phenol, zinc, selenium, lead and cadmium?
Isn't he the same person who was accused by other legislators and investigated by the House Ethics Committee for using his clout as Speaker to get lobbyists to donate to his private sector job as a fundraiser for the MS Society??
Hmmmm.....and he wants to be our govenor?
Where will he lead us?
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