The Urgency of Tax Reform

By DAN MALLOY

Earlier this week I joined three other Connecticut mayors in Hartford to urge the Legislature to allow municipalities to levy a local sales tax as a way to hold down property taxes.  Although this issue is practically a perennial favorite, there is a special urgency today.  We made it clear that our cities and towns need money now, and we can’t wait for a comprehensive legislative reform solution.

At the same time, we urged the State to move aggressively on wholesale tax reform, and that allowing municipalities the local sales tax flexibility would be an important first step.

We were met with some skepticism, but it’s my hope that we were able to convey what it is like on the ground in cities and towns throughout Connecticut — education, public safety and infrastructure costs continue to go up even as we make tough budget cuts, our property owners are stretched to the limit, and without a new tool to help us manage we are out of options.  I hope they got the message.

Schools Get Smart on Energy

By BRIAN DURAND

I’m tempted to create a “silver lining” category just for this post.

In the face of mounting economic pressure on local communities, some Connecticut school districts are becoming more eco-friendly in order to cut expenses:

For school officials juggling budgets and expenses, the move to save on energy costs could translate into significant financial benefits.

In his latest budget presentation earlier this month, [West Hartford] Superintendent of Schools David P. Sklarz used two examples to show how much it costs to power schools. The annual cost of heating and powering Conard High School — one of West Hartford’s two high schools — totals about $565,000, he said.

The school is looking to cut $120,000 off that number. In the short term this means monitoring the use of electronics like refrigerators and microwaves. However the long term goal is to start generating their own power — the school is lobbying for funding for their first windmill.

Obviously this is fantastic, and will teach students some great lessons in what can be accomplished when we’re mindful of how much energy we use. And, surrounding towns are already taking note. Still it’s a bit of a shame that the changes are primarily being made reactively to economic concerns, instead of proactively in response our looming environmental problems.

Whatever… we’ll take what we can get.

Remembering Betsy O’Neil

By DAN MALLOY

Yesterday I attended the funeral of Betsy O’Neil in Farmington.  Loss, and hope, sum up the day for me.

Some of her beloved friends — her brother, Denny O’Neil, representing the family; her professional colleague, Ellen Grew; and her political colleague, Bill Curry — did a brilliant job of remembering all the beautiful aspects of Betsy.  The mother, sister, friend.  The teacher.  The political organizer.  It was one of those rare services that was as gut-wrenching as it was uplifting.

Betsy was a pillar in Connecticut Democratic campaign politics.  No one could match her acute political instinct and ability to organize individuals, communities and voting blocks to win.

As was mentioned during the service, my 2006 campaign would not have won the Democratic gubernatorial convention without Betsy’s calm and steady guidance leading up to and during the convention.  I remember thinking that it was not possible for anyone to shine more than she did that day, in that moment.

But clearly I was wrong.  Betsy raised two wonderful sons.  She had an amazing 32-year career dedicated to teaching children, just recently retiring in 2006.  And she advanced the cause of core Democratic values, and that has made a broad difference for the State of Connecticut.  With her warmth, kindness and intellect, Betsy touched hundreds of people who saw her shine each and every day.

Remembering Betsy reminded me what a difference each person can make in the world, by bringing your best honest game every day to every person, and embracing every person for exactly who they are.  What a wonderful legacy.  Thank you Betsy O’Neil.

Problems, Both Real and Imagined

By MICHAEL NORRIS

Democrats really wanted the race to be over on Super Tuesday. Everyone seemed up for some serious vanquishing. When it didn’t happen, we looked for the next few contests all the way up to March 4.Now all I’ve heard this week are cries of “Noooooo!” since this race isn’t over and the GOP has their nominee sewn up. And those reporters just love it: The Democrats are worried. The Democrats are frightened. This race could last through June or (gasp!) the convention!

So what? I know that my party has a lot of silly-ass problems, but a long nominating process isn’t one of them: Clinton supporters of CT: how mad would you be if Obama got the nomination long before Super Tuesday? Do you think you would be just as passionate heading out to the voting booth or, better still, spending long hours getting people registered to vote for the first time? Same questions apply to Obama supporters: how much work would you do if you felt like you had nothing to do?If the two camps take care not to bloody themselves or each other up, these next few months will be our finest.

We have thousands upon thousands of volunteers waking people up to the changes that need to be made in this country since they know that their votes can still make a difference. All the better: we all know that the media just loooovesss drama, and now that McCain’s the last one standing and his entire campaign can be summed up in one short sentence, he’ll probably get 1/6 the coverage he used to get, and the coverage, however terrible, will be focused on two decent Democrats and their values.All we need to make the imagined problem go away is for Obama and Clinton to be civil to one another and not resort to unfair tactics. That’s a lot to ask, but let’s just hope the people close to them are wise enough to do the asking.