Connecticut’s House Republicans step forward to protect open, fair and accountable government

Feb 14

jonpeltoBudget Cuts, Connecticut General Assembly, Connecticut State Government, Democratic Legislators, Ethics, Freedom of Information, Malloy, Office of State Ethics, Republicans, State Elections Enforcement Commission , , , , 13 Comments

If you found that hard to read, imagine how hard it was to write…

But it is true.

Last week, the leader of the House Republicans blasted Governor Malloy’s plan to undermine Connecticut’s watchdog agencies.

Representative Cafero observed that Governor Malloy’s budget proposal is, “…an attempt to undermine the public’s right to know what is going on within government.” 

Cafero added, “Investigations into campaign finance fraud, ethics complaints and Freedom of Information challenges will fall by the wayside if this proposal goes forward.’’  

While Democratic leaders remained silent or tip-toed around the issue, the House Republicans stepped forward to speak the truth.

The independence of Connecticut’s watchdog and good government entities is under assault.

What are these good government entities?

In 1974, following the Watergate scandal, the Connecticut General Assembly created the State Elections Commission (Public Act 74-213) to “ensure the integrity of the state’s electoral process.”

In 1975, Connecticut passed one of the most far-reaching Freedom of Information Acts in the nation and created the Freedom of Information Commission (Public Act 75-342) to “ensure citizen access to the records and meetings of public agencies in the State of Connecticut.”

And in 1977, the General Assembly formed the Connecticut State Ethics Commission (Public Act 77-600) to “promote the highest ethical standards and accountability in state government by providing education and legal advice, ensuring disclosure, and impartially enforcing the Codes of Ethics.”

In each case, the commissions and offices were set up to be bi-partisan or non-partisan entities, independent of any inappropriate political influence from the administrative or legislative branches of government.  The laws were designed to protect each entity’s fundamental mission to oversee Connecticut’s campaign finance laws, Connecticut’s freedom of information laws and Connecticut’s ethics laws.

Over the years, although Connecticut’s laws were already some of the strongest in the country, state government expanded and strengthened its good government statutes even more, further ensuring open and fair elections and government. 

In 2005, Connecticut adopted a Citizens’ Election Program, considered the “most sweeping public campaign finance program in the country. “

Then, in 2011, Governor Malloy proposed merging the government watchdog agencies into a single entity called the Office of Governmental Accountability.

While the Connecticut General Assembly revised Malloy’s original proposal to allow the various watchdog entities to retain some independence, the legislation, (Public Act 11-48) created the position of Executive Administrator, a position appointed by the governor.  The job of the Executive Administrator was to “provide consolidated personnel, payroll, affirmative action, and administrative and business office function.”

In this way, the Office of the Governor was given far greater reach into the day-to-day operations of the independent, government watchdog agencies.

However, as the Office of Governmental Accountability’s website notes, even today, each entity within the Office of Governmental Accountability “retains its independent decision-making authority, including for budgetary and employment decisions.”

But just a couple of weeks  ago, as part of his proposed state budget, Governor Malloy and his OPM Secretary, Ben Barnes, proposed doing way with that independent budget and employment decision-making authority.

As Representative Cafero explained, “All these watchdogs we rely on to ensure the rights of individuals and root out government fraud and mismanagement would fall under authority of an appointee of the governor. We will be losing any autonomy in these units.’’

Considering Connecticut’s long standing commitment to good government and independent watchdog agencies, the Governor’s decision to make this unprecedented power grab is beyond belief.

But that is exactly what Governor Malloy has done…

And to date, only the Republican legislators have stood up to say they will fight to put an end to Malloy’s proposal.

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  • cindy

    “If you found that hard to read, imagine how hard it was to write…”

    As hard as that was for you to write, I think this article speaks to the point that regardless of past political affiliation of all involved, we MUST work together to dismantle what is being passed off as Education Reform! What used to be liberal is now more conservative. What is being passed off as liberal today is more like Stalinist control! No more divisiveness – that only serves to silence teachers who feel that they cannot speak up! Who will be the voice to protect the children?

    • jonpelto

      I agree 100%….

      • brutus2011

        Thanks Jon. Between you, Sarah, and Wendy, I bet the bad guys will not enjoy having their covers pulled.

      • JMC

        Yes, Stalinist is the right word. It is quite relevant to remember that Stalin instituted reigns of terror and purges. Furthermore, there were constant “initiatives” being declared. Outcomes were mandated without any material prospect of being achieved and employed as devices to shame and eliminate opposition.

      • sharewhut

        but to show his ability to streamline government, Danielle is condensing HIS 5-year plan into less than
        4 !!!!

  • Sleepless in Bridgeport

    Highest taxes in the nation in Bridgeport and this is what we get for our money?

    http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Report-Bridgeport-snowed-under-in-taxes-4278309.php

  • jschmidt2

    Glad you are honest enough to report it.It proves you are journalist which we always knew. Total control of govt by any one party just leads to overreaching extremes where the people are the ones that lose their rights. The voters get the government they deserve.

  • buygoldandprosper

    The Man Who Would Be King, Dan Malloy, wants to address BIG IDEAS and this state can no longer plow snow! Bridgeport schools closed for a week?!
    Hey Dan! Pound salt with your changes!! Go pound salt in Bridgeport!! That would be a more useful waste of your time than attempting to usurp the powers of watchdog agencies.
    It is sickening that Republicans are having to keep an eye on Dan and his ever increasing UNETHICAL behavior, but somebody has to do it!
    Dan is dangerous. Dan is John-the-Felon in a donkey suit. Just another jackass Connecticut politician. A man who would be king.

  • http://www.facebook.com/henry.berry.1656 Henry Berry

    Malloy is the point man for the Democratic version of the plutocratic state. The Obama administration is keeping an eye on how things go for Malloy in Connecticut for lessons on how it can successfully and largely deceptively advance its agenda on this. One particular area of how Malloy is proceeding with his vision of the plutocratic state is his reliance on people from the Pullman and Comley law firm. Andrew McDonald ( now sitting on the Connecticut Supreme Court after being nominated by Malloy) and John Stafstrom, head of Pullman and Comley’s Public Finance Department, are two such individuals. After running into problems working in the court system as I have been exposing widespread corruption and criminal activity at this law firm subverting the public and private sectors of the state legal system over the past years, the law firm has shaped itself more as a financial-sector operation along the lines of Goldman Sachs. The Pullman and Comley law firm is regularly described in media articles as “having close ties with the Malloy administration”. This goes a long way toward explaining unsettling questions being raised about the Malloy administration’s adherence to open government and its aims.

  • TMS

    I’m not politically savvy so I’m hoping someone can explain to me why the democrats are so afraid of Governor Malloy. I just don’t understand why they are afraid to go against him or tell him “no” on the obviously unethical things he proposes. What can he do to them?

  • http://www.facebook.com/melanie.savage.1610 Melanie Savage

    Cynic that I am, I have to wonder whether Cafero truly possesses a moral compass, or, rather, he simply knows that his own party is in danger of extinction and he’s making some attempt at catering to the public wants/needs. And haven’t we heard rumors about a run for Malloy’s office in a couple of years? Would behoove someone with higher political aspirations in the state of Conn. to seek public favor, wouldn’t it? Possible, I suppose, that someone actually has a conscience and a feeling of responsibility for the greater public good. But considering the level of corruption this country has achieved (pre-fall Rome, anyone?), I do not take anything coming out of the mouth of a politician at face value anymore.

  • buygoldandprosper

    Shovel brigades in Milford!

    A TOTAL failure by state and local government to engage in and complete BASIC GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

    Dan Malloy would have you believe that he can address BIG IDEAS and yet the little “stuff” that is actually day-to-day government is not really his cup of IrishTea. He was like that after a few years in Stamford as well. Cut services to the bone yet raise taxes until you make residents bleed.
    He has been buying a shot at his next election with public money via programs like FIRST FIVE JIVE and he has packed his administration with dullards who could not make it in the real world removed from the public teat. He has fenced himself in and snagged his wife, and at least one son some sweet gigs when the rest of America seems to have to work two jobs and not make ends meet.
    In short, Dan Malloy is now, and has always been, about Dan Malloy.
    The fact that Republicans can now attempt to save these watchdogs adds even more insult from the administration to residents of this state.

  • cindy

    Here is the thing. These reforms are causing schools in every single town in Connecticut to spend money – without any proof that these initiatives lead to success. Parents in every town have to be alert, listen for the word “mandate,” band together and ask for proof. Fight it! It is the only way! If we keep waiting for that to happen in some other town, the walls will close in around us and we are done! This is a bipartisan issue – no matter who is in the government, these actions only serve to further their needs, and not those of the kids. Any one up for it??