Gaffey moving
I seem to recall that less than two weeks ago, Senate Majority Leader Don Williams was quoted saying:
These aren't the droids you're looking for. Move along.But now, rather than Senator Tom "Big Boy" Gaffey moving mountains for his friends... he's rearranging his own seating chart and asking to be reassigned to a new committee:
Gaffey currently serves as vice chairman of the General Assembly's Higher Education and Career Advancement Committee, and he is looking to be reassigned before the start of the 2008 legislative session.Gaffey has been under fire recently because he voted on a portion of the bond package that would give the Connecticut State University System $1 billion for renovations and expansion over a 10-year period. He is dating Jill Ferraiolo, the system's associate vice chancellor for government relations and communications, and several wonder if this was a conflict of interest when the CSUS 2020 bill was discussed by lawmakers. Gaffey did not disclose his relationship until after the vote was taken. (MRJ, by Amanda Falcone)But as far as I'm concerned, this won't cut it. We need real reform in CT... at the state and local level. We need to stamp out all the funny business. At the state level, state's attorneys should be given the power of subpoena. And at the state and local level, corrupt officials should lose their pensions. Unfortunately, I have doubts about any real reforms happening... I mean... it's more important to be friends with your colleagues, than it is to represent the public... right?
Seriously though, the more I hear about this, the more I wish one of his fellow Dems would primary him.
Tim White
12 comments:
Better late than never.
What I don't understand is why our universities use taxpayer money to have people on their staff lobby legislators.
I'll bet every state agency has them in addition to press secretaries, public relations people and on in on.
No wonder we have the second highest taxes in the country, or are we number 1.
Rell, get rid of all these unnecessary overhead. Stop waisting our money.
Tim, why not have a Republican run against Tom? What does it say about the R party if no one will run?
I actually like getting taxed on the state level. The money is generally well spent. It's a great investment. It's not too much skin off my back to make sure we have roads, schools, and a safety net.
As for a lobby, don't forget that one of their jobs is to explain the legitimate needs of the org. That's a valid function. Do you expect legislators to figure out on their own what all the needs of a university are?
Why do you think private universities have such staffers? They are necessary. Why wouldn't the public schools require the same? They need to keep their image up to attract students and they need to lobby for funding. And, since public universities don't have to plump-up some fat-cat's wallet, they provide a lot more education for the buck (tuition and tax).
Look at us here in Cheshire. We live like gods compared to the rest of the world and we're having a conversation about tax money for some staffers that lobby on behalf of public ed. This is ridiculous.
Anon 12:45...I suppose you are a "god" just like Jill F. says Tommy the Big Boy is.
Since you enjoy paying taxes so much , I'll send my bill to your house this April.
I do not mind paying taxes for roads, schools and jails....we are NOT getting proper services on this front because we are spending much of our $18 B budget funding every special interest group boondoggle and hiring every political hack known to mankind.
Do we REALLY need a billion dollars in new construction at state colleges....seems like we are paying the luxury rate so well connected contractors can reward politicians and college administrators.....it's just a high brow Cook County scam.
"It's not too much skin off my back"
You sound just like my brother-in-law when he worked for the state. Then he retired and registered his $175,000 camper in Fla and has been bitching about the price of gas, local taxes, state taxes and federal taxes. It makes a big difference when your paycheck is coming from a governmental agency. And now that he is retired he brags about how $200 meds only cost him $2. And, every time he sneezes he's in the emergency room.
Yes the roads are good and they should be for the amount of money that goes into them and the pockets of the the contractors. Look at I84 and it is no exception.
Are you a lobbyist for a state agency?
12:44... Presumably a Republican will run against Gaffey. But the primary comes first... and whether I'm a D or R or other... I'd still be fed up with the legislature and how they seem to turn a blind eye to funny business... Dillon, Clemons, DeLuca, etc.
As for a lobby, don't forget that one of their jobs is to explain the legitimate needs of the org. That's a valid function.
I agree that there's a legitimate function. But the "lobby" part is part of the problem... there are rules that apply to "lobbyists," but not to "liaisons."
As for the people in Hartford and Washington who are married (not just dating) to lobbyists... the whole thing troubles me and needs to be reformed.
Doesn't each university have a president and don't the agencies have heads? I would think these people should know the needs of their schools/ agencies and would be a more credible source of information. Maybe it's time for the heads of schools/agencies to earn their money instead of adding to the bureaucratic mess.
Or, is it more efficient for each of the lobbyist to date each member of the legistlature.
Edith Prague thinks so
"Or, is it more efficient for each of the lobbyist to date each member of the legistlature."
How many lobbyists would that take? Is that what is happening?
"love, exciting and new
Love, come aboard, we're expecting you
The Legislature is having another run..."
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