During the CPOA membership meeting held Thursday Evening with Rep. John Geragosian, the Co-Chair of the Appropriations committee, Rep. Geragosian made his presentation regarding the state budget and how it impacts New Britain Taxpayers. He forecasted budget deficits of $4 billion for 2010 and $4.7 billion for 2011. He used multiple pie charts to show us where the legislature is spending our tax monies.
But when it came time for the membership to present their questions to him he avoided answering directly but kept referring to his state issues in his presentation. When asked why the state delagation made state funding available for schools in Waterbury, Hartford, New Haven, & New London but nothing for New Britain, his answer was simply that the other towns had “more problems“.
He was also asked if he would, as a city resident, call the New Britain Board of Education to put pressure on their releasing their current line by line budget information that the local Council membership are not able to obtain from them. Again he evaded answering this question by simply stating that the state is very open with their reporting and suggested going to the state Freedom of Information Commission in furthering the group’s efforts to obtain the records. The FOI would only obtain the prior year’s information since the current information is not available to the public because it is in a draft document!
Unfortunately, we elected our state delegation to first represent the needs of New Britain and not those of other towns and cities to be the primary recipients; but they are ignoring our city’s educational needs.
Unfortunately and sadly, question after question asked by our membership that attended this meeting, were deflected by the appropriations co-chairman.
I must also commend the membership for being respectful throughout the meeting by not showing any resentment for the avoided answers.
Sincerely,
Frank Smith, a member of the Board
Monday, May 31, 2010
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5 comments:
There are no surprises there. our NB delegation are out for themselves. When will the Democrats nominate better people and when will the Republicans put some muscle behind their candidates. Why are we so stupid in NB to put up these same old socialists?
How is it that the Board of Education can refuse to disclose how they spend out money. What are they trying to hide?
Yes Frank; on all accounts. First, thanks to Rep Geragosian coming to speak and educate, second, thanks to CPOA members for attending and asking intelligent questions. Unfortunately, a light has not been focused by NB taxpayers on the State impacts to us; nor the BoE that controls north of 60% of our budget until recently. Our residents need more information on both these area and must affect change in attitude/policy. Thx.
What I found most troubling was the way Rep. Geragosian kept blaming "suburban" legislators and "leadership" for the state's fiscal woes and for the lack of resources being sent to New Britain. He is the co-chair of appropriations, one of the most powerful committees in state government - he controls all the bucks. Additionally, he is a longtime legislator and a leader in the Democratic party. Yet, he talks as if he is simply a hapless cog in the wheel and New Britain is just a victim of circumstances. He refuses to take any responsibility for his lack of leadership or his failed role as our advocate. We need to send people who care more about New Britain than their political aspirations to represent our local interests in Hartford. The New Britain Republican Town Committee is very excited to have some strong candidates for the voters' consideration - people who will look out for New Britain. Visit our website www.nbrtc.com to learn about them, and please support them, especially if you're tired of career politicians and their excuses.
Dwight..with you and Jamie now at the NBRTC helm, it's obvious the GOP will cause the Dems to worry in future elections..Best wishes to the NBRTC...
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