2006 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:
MISSION MOSTLY ACCOMPLISHED
With a month or so to reflect on the 2006 legislative session that ended in early May, a lot was done that’s good for Connecticut. Just as important, the worst of Governor Rell’s proposals – a big tax increase for middle income taxpayers along with real cuts to town aid and higher education -- were rejected. Unfortunately, too much of it was funded with a non-recurring surplus, the state spending cap is now mostly a moot point to the Governor and State Legislature (Democrats and Republicans alike), and new borrowing will drive up Connecticut’s already worst-in-the-nation indebtedness.
Still, I am grateful to Democrats and Republicans that so many of the legislative initiatives I proposed or championed as Lt. Governor were approved as follows:
GOOD NEWS
- Property tax credits increased to $500
- $47.6 million in state revenue-sharing back to cities & towns
- $20 million for rising special education costs
- Comprehensive campaign finance reform
- Mental health training for primary health care providers
- Medicaid redirected from nursing homes to home & community mental health care
- State support for autism services to young adults
- Long overdue study of gambling addiction
- Fairer rates for non-profit providers
- Relief for seniors & people with disabilities short-changed by the federal Medicare Part D prescription drug mess
- Collective bargaining rights restored for Waterbury city employees
MIXED REVIEWS
- 100% funding for teacher pension for the first time in years BUT no long term plan or protection from huge unfunded liability
- Better monitoring BUT not tougher sentencing for sexual predators
BAD NEWS
- No relief from bureaucratic burdens on drunk-driving enforcement
- No plan for more effective & less costly alternatives to motor vehicle emissions testing
- No ban on pensions for state officials & employees convicted of corruption
- No new student financial aid to help with rising higher education costs
- No ongoing reinvestment in community-based mental health care
- No improved monitoring of mental health care parity in insurance
