February 6, 2010

STATE OF THE STATE: NO NEW IDEAS FROM RELL TO BALANCE BUDGET

Gov. M. Jodi Rell's final State-of-the-State address was nostalgic, even wistful. The governor reminded us to be civil, co-operative, and concerned about your welfare. Truer words could not be spoken by the woman who restored our government's reputation, reduced the influence of special interests, and revived confidence in our people.

I appreciate her bi-partisanship in identifying jobs as one of three pressing needs. In that spirit, she incorporated proposals that legislative Democrats made last week, recognizing that small businesses, not large corporations, create jobs.

With banks (bailed-out and otherwise) refusing to lend to cash starved, qualified entrepreneurs, her state-capitalized revolving loan proposal — a 'public option' for jobs — is innovative.

Her encouragement of job-creating 'green' businesses and industries is also forward-looking. I regret that her budget guts the Clean Energy Fund: one step forward and one back.

Another missing step is empowering state community colleges and universities to prepare those job seekers.

The second issue is the sea of red ink we're in. I'm sorry I did not hear any new ideas to balance the budget.

While insisting on cuts only, no more than $27.7 million were offered toward the $515 million deficit. While, like you, I'm hopeful that the improving economy restores our treasury, my practical side says we must buckle down.

The proven short-term-solution triad — cut a lot, borrow some, tax some — coupled with money from Washington, is necessary to get us through the economic night.

My constituents tell me that they want their safety net to remain whole.

They, like me, oppose cuts to people with Alzheimer's or AIDS, or who depend on ConnPACE's life-sustaining medicine, or who rely on Home Care for Elders. They want the rich and super rich to be responsible and help them out.

The governor must sit with legislators in person to work out a bi-partisan plan. Using staff instead will no longer work. Her active participation is essential.

I'm relieved that she maintained state money for public schools and other municipal help, because that keeps property taxes controllable.

But our long-term goal should be replacing the burdensome property tax system with a fair and equitable one.

In the meantime, we need to foster savings through regional cooperation that will be proposed in a few weeks by the MORE Commission, on which I sit.

The economic dawn will still bring extraordinary challenges. The structural deficiencies in our finances won't go away by themselves.

The need to restructure government on a customer-oriented, cost-saving business model — particularly through information technology — is long overdue.

I'm proud to have worked with Gov. Rell on the money-saving restructuring of the probate court system last year. I'm eager to take on the bigger challenge. I'm sad there isn't time for a lame duck administration to get the job done; but let's start it.

The third issue is the star of Jodi Rell's legacy. I enthusiastically applaud her insistence that we fix our Clean Elections Law. It has already ended the undue influence of lobbyists. Campaigns are now about issues, not raising money. It must be repaired.

A last personal note: Jodi, it's has been an honor to have served with you in the House, to work with you as governor and on the Council of State Governments, to share our concerns about the people of our beloved state. Thank you for your dedicated service.

Robert Godfrey is a Democratic state representative in the 110th District, which covers southern and central Danbury.