The Chance to Make Some History

BRINGING MANNERS BACK 

Talk about renewing civility in politics increased after the shootings in Tucson last January that gravely injured Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed six others.

But has political parlance become more polite?

“Someone asked me [during a memorial service for the shootings] if we should set aside our differences. I said no, the difference of opinions are a strength, not a weakness,” said  “We need divergent views. I learn from other views. It’s how we do that which is critical. We should not go after someone’s character or the motives for someone’s opinion.”

Seeking a third term, said he hopes the 2012 election campaigns stay respectful.

“I’m a big believer in keeping everything civilized. When emotions take over everybody loses,” Frantz said. 

However, Frantz seems less sanguine regarding national politics. The state senator said he thinks President Barack Obama’s strategy will be to divide and conquer and that “will bring things down."

Himes said that he thinks national politics could get ugly if honesty exits the debate.

“Be civil, but be honest,” Himes said. “ the president is running around the world apologizing for America is a flat out bald-faced lie. That cheapens Mitt Romney and cheapens the process.”

If anything serves as a model for manners on the state level it was last October’s jobs session, said state Rep. Larry Cafero, a Republican representing Norwalk in the 142nd House District.

“The key is respect on so many levels. Respect our differences, being able to give up some of what you want for the greater good,” said Cafero, the House Minority Leader. “It starts at the top, with the leadership. And not allow the fringes to dictate like Tea Party, and moveon.org. Left unchecked those groups will take over.”

 recently filed his papers for re-election and will host a pizza party fundraiser on Feb. 5 to kick-off his campaign. 

“Unfortunately since last year I’ve not seen improvement and it may even have gotten worse,” Duff said, referring to the tone on the national level.

Duff, who often visits local schools, said he does an exercise with students to teach them to separate opinions from the person.

“We’ve got to get away from the idea that if a person on the other side has a different view that doesn’t make that other person bad,” he said. “We argue the points, we don’t attack the person.”

IS MITT THE RIGHT FIT?

On Friday, Jan. 20 Connecticut Republicans who pay $20 for a ballot can vote in a straw poll. Right now political analysts peg Mitt Romney as the likely winner, and he appears to have the support of several lawmakers.

 took a road trip to New Hampshire in advance of the New Hampshire primary to campaign door-to-door for Mitt Romney.

Frantz and his son knocked on 106 doors in the Granite State on behalf of Romney.

Still, while some in the GOP thing Mitt’s the ‘it’ candidate, others are more guarded.

“Mitt Romney is a good fit for Connecticut, but I’m staying out of it,” said state Rep. Vincent Candelora, a Republican representing East Haven, North Branford, and Wallingford in the 86th House District.  “The first campaign I worked on was Rick Santorum, we have the same alma mater. We met in 1994, he’s real stand up individual.”

REPUBLICANS…COME OUT, COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE…

“First they need to settle an internal family feud who will run against me, but really it’s early, just a little more than a year from election,” Himes said. 

The internal family feud has to do with who will take on Himes in his bid for a third term. Already Darien resident David Orner, Westporter Steve Obsitnik and Stamford resident Chris Meeks declared their intent. But the scuttlebutt is Boucher might join the race.

EDUCATION

Duff said he’s optimistic this session will produce results when it comes to overhauling the state’s schools. True there’s a yawning achievement gap and the Education Cost Sharing Formula is flawed, but Duff said both Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the General Assembly are prepared to tackle the nitty-gritty. 

“I applaud the governor for taking on education as a major concern,” Cafero said.

That’s in part because Connecticut was three times denied Race to the Top funding, he said. The state lost out twice under Rell and once under Malloy. To be competitive in the classroom, the state must get creative. 

“One thing I applaud President Barack Obama and Arnie Duncan for is they’re looking for true reform,” Cafero said. “The Federal government is saying education needs real reform, if this session is about true reform – whether tenure, linking teachers pay to performance – we can make some history.” 

GOING ON A BEAR HUNT

According to Department of Environmental and Energy Protection,  were 37 times more common last year than in 1995. Because of that there is discussion about having a bear hunt. It would be the first since 1840.

“It’s all very preliminary, whether we’d have a controlled, organized hunt like deer hunts for bears,” State Rep. John Shaban, a Republican representing Easton, Redding and Weston in the 135th House District sits on the Environment Committee.

JOBS

Connecticut Business Industry Association recently cited the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council’s Small Business Survival Index 2011, which ranked the state 44 out of 50 for being small business friendly. That's a drop of three places from 2010 when CT was 41. The report cited high corporate income and corporate capital gains taxes, high property taxes, highest gas taxes in US and high state and local government spending and debt, many health insurance mandates, second highest electric utility costs in nation, and poor private property protections. 

“With all due respect to CBIA, they represent mostly big business and although I agree with them, they endorsed the policies this governor put forth, including the hospital tax and the property tax credit decrease,” Cafero said. “So I find it somewhat disingenuous for them to say that.”

Duff said the state offers many things for small businesses, but finding those resources isn’t always easy. Duff also said education and jobs are closely linked.

“In the big picture we need to graduate people who are ready for the work force,” Duff said.

Shaban also said small businesses need attention.

“In theory the next session is focused on education, but it doesn’t mean that’s the only topic we can focus on,” Shaban said. “We can’t undo the budget, but if we can re-engineer it that would be good.”

Shaban said he doesn’t want to see any more deals like Jackson Lab where the state borrows money to pay for jobs that may come. Instead the representative said if the state borrows money it should go to those businesses that are already here.

TROPIC OF CONNECTICUT?

If it ever snows, motorists must heed An Act Concerning the Removal of Snow and Ice from Motor Vehicles, passed by the Connecticut General Assembly in June 2010. The act actually became effective Oct. 1 – before the Halloween storm. It requires the owners of non-commercial vehicles to remove snow and ice from their vehicle before driving.

Violations will result in a $75 fine, and if dislodged snow or ice causes property damage the fine ranges from $200 to $1000 per offense.

Additionally, another section of the law requiring the removal of snow and ice from commercial vehicles goes into effect Dec. 31, 2013.