The Debate

Debate Wrap up
Many items were discussed in the debate and my impression is that my opponent Clark Chapin is as smart and diligent as any legislator in Hartford, if not more so. However, when asked how he would fill the Budget Hole, he came up with a few cuts that would at most amount to a few million dollars. This says to me that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats up in Hartford have a clue what to do.
They all feel powerless in face of the fiscal tsunami which is about to overwhelm them. It is the worst case scenarion. I know about worst case scenarios and I have a plan. My plan, as discussed in previous blog posts takes us into areas that not many are comfortable about talking, drugs, guns and prisons. This plan should result in annually roughly $1.5 billion in direct savings and $1.5 billion in new revenues derived from new economic activity which will result from the reduction of violence in our cities. Of course new economic activity means new jobs too.
(Watch it on CTV 21 Mon 10/18 and 10/25 12.30pm, Wed 10/20 and Fri 10/29 5pm )

Other items that came up
Farm Preservation
Yes we agree largely
East West Connector.
There is a hill in the way. Let us concentrate on modest traffic improvements, left turn lanes and such
Obama's idea to extend the school year. I think this is a terrible idea ( I suggested that Obama had lost his marbles on this one) Besides the extra 17 days will be in June and July and do all our schools have air conditioning? I think not, so there would be an attention deficit all around.

Reorganising State Government. First, let us look at the function of government and what it should and should not be doing before we consider the shape of it, otherwise it will be like reorganizing the deckchairs on the Titanic.
State Employee Give Backs. There is room for some here.