Misfortune can come into all of our lives at any time and, yet, we Americans have so much for which to be thankful that we set aside a day each year to celebrate our good fortune in the company of family and friends.
No matter what else is happening in our lives, we Americans go to extraordinary lengths each Thanksgiving to share turkey and tradition with people who are important to us. This holiday is so much a part of our tradition that we cannot abide the thought of anyone not having the means to join in the celebration. Those of us who are able donate turkeys and other fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving meal in the hope that no one is left out. Many make volunteering at a soup kitchen or other community holiday dinner part of their personal Thanksgiving tradition.
That is as it should be.
I believe that we Americans need Thanksgiving to remind us of how very, very lucky we are. We are fortunate to live in a free country. We have the right to elect our government leaders. We have the right to worship, or not, as we choose. We have the right to freely express our opinions about our government, our personal politics, our individual religious beliefs, and any other issue that matters to us. Millions of people not fortunate enough to have been born citizens of our country risk everything to come here.
We Americans always have reason to celebrate Thanksgiving. This year, we should again be especially thankful for the ongoing sacrifices of our troops who will be far from home fighting the war on terror instead of sharing a turkey dinner with their families and friends. Earlier this month, we bid farewell to 700 troops representing the largest single deployment of Connecticut Guard members since the Korean War. The rights and freedom we hold dear as Americans means so much to them that they are putting themselves in harm’s way to protect those of us who will be celebrating Thanksgiving in safety. Not only should we be grateful to these soldiers, but to also to those they left behind. If you know someone whose husband, wife, son, daughter, grandchild or friend is serving our country far from home this Thanksgiving, please remember to thank them.
On a personal level, Marcy and I will give thanks, as we do every year, for the precious gifts of our son, Aidan, and daughter, Deana, who we adopted as infants from South Korea. We will express our gratitude for our lives as citizens of the United States and residents of the beautiful state of Connecticut. We will be thankful for our family members and friends who bring such joy into our lives.
Undoubtedly, misfortune will come into our lives from time to time, as it does to everyone’s life. Nevertheless, there is always much to be grateful for including our freedom, our rights, our good fortune to be citizens of the United States - and for the brave men and women who sacrifice their own safety and comfort to protect us.
I wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Senator Kane to Join Speaker's Task Force on Children in the Recession
I was asked this week to participate in discussions on how the recession is affecting children in Connecticut and how future legislation should be crafted to address the needs of the state’s children.
The Speaker’s Task Force on Children in the Recession will be made up of legislators, congressional staff, experts on the economy, business, non-profits, child policy, family support, food security, housing, human services, and public health, as well as parent advocates. The focus of this newly formed group will be to review budget implications related to children and the recession; identify trends and research resulting from the recession related to housing, employment, homelessness, child care, and unemployment; make recommendations to the Speaker on appropriate budget and policy action; and recommend efficiencies and offer ways to streamline services and access points for families for the 2010 and 2011 sessions.
Connecticut is the first state in the nation to form a legislative task force to plan for children in the recession and during the recovery. More information can be found at http://www.cga.ct.gov/coc/taskforce.htm I invite anyone with feedback on this issue to contact me at rob.kane@cga.ct.gov.
The Speaker’s Task Force on Children in the Recession will be made up of legislators, congressional staff, experts on the economy, business, non-profits, child policy, family support, food security, housing, human services, and public health, as well as parent advocates. The focus of this newly formed group will be to review budget implications related to children and the recession; identify trends and research resulting from the recession related to housing, employment, homelessness, child care, and unemployment; make recommendations to the Speaker on appropriate budget and policy action; and recommend efficiencies and offer ways to streamline services and access points for families for the 2010 and 2011 sessions.
Connecticut is the first state in the nation to form a legislative task force to plan for children in the recession and during the recovery. More information can be found at http://www.cga.ct.gov/coc/taskforce.htm I invite anyone with feedback on this issue to contact me at rob.kane@cga.ct.gov.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Running Our State Without A Budget
As Governor M. Jodi Rell continues to run state government by executive order, it might help to keep things in perspective by remembering that this is not the first time in recent history that Connecticut has been without a budget.
Undoubtedly, many people remember the summer of 1991 – the year of the income tax – when Connecticut went without a state budget for more than fifty days as the General Assembly tried to pass a tax and spend plan that then Governor Lowell Weicker would sign into law. Then, as now, the Democrats controlled the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. That year, the General Assembly passed several temporary appropriations measures to pay the bills for the first weeks of the new fiscal year. Also, Governor Weicker issued several executive orders to, first, allow state government to keep running while minimizing discretionary spending and, secondly, to authorize funding in cases where there was a gap between the expiration of one continuing spending resolution and the beginning of the next.
Connecticut was again without a state budget in 2003. That year, then Governor John Rowland vetoed the General Assembly’s continuing spending resolution and issued his own series of executive orders. At the time, Governor Rowland claimed that the General Assembly did not have the authority to pass its two-week resolution, which it did on June 30th, the day before the start of the new fiscal year. The Attorney General disagreed – but, while the Legislature had the authority to pass continuing resolutions, the Governor also had the authority to veto them and to issue his own executive orders. Again, the Democrats controlled the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
According to an interesting report recently issued by the General Assembly’s nonpartisan Office of Legislative Research, there is nothing in either state law or the state constitution spelling out what to do to pay the bills and keep government running in the absence of a budget. When we found ourselves in this situation back in 1991, the state Attorney General based his opinion on how to proceed, in part, on an 1892 Connecticut Supreme Court decision. Not surprisingly, the bottom line is that the state has an obligation to pay necessary expenses – with or without a state budget.
Based on the opinion issued by the state Attorney General in 1991, the two legal ways to run government in the absence of a state budget is to for the legislature to pass continuing spending resolutions and, or, for the Governor to issue executive orders. As recent history has taught us, the Governor has the authority to veto a continuing resolution passed by the General Assembly. As with all gubernatorial vetoes, it would take a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly to reinstate a continuing spending resolution struck down by the Governor.
This year, Governor Rell has issued two executive orders to keep the state running while she and legislative leaders continue to meet behind closed doors to negotiate a budget agreement. It is my hope that such an agreement is reached soon, and that I have the opportunity to join my colleagues in the General Assembly in voting for a responsible state budget that Connecticut can afford.
As always, I welcome hearing from you. I can be reached at my legislative office in Hartford at 1-800-842-1421, or via e-mail to Rob.Kane@cga.ct.gov.
Undoubtedly, many people remember the summer of 1991 – the year of the income tax – when Connecticut went without a state budget for more than fifty days as the General Assembly tried to pass a tax and spend plan that then Governor Lowell Weicker would sign into law. Then, as now, the Democrats controlled the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. That year, the General Assembly passed several temporary appropriations measures to pay the bills for the first weeks of the new fiscal year. Also, Governor Weicker issued several executive orders to, first, allow state government to keep running while minimizing discretionary spending and, secondly, to authorize funding in cases where there was a gap between the expiration of one continuing spending resolution and the beginning of the next.
Connecticut was again without a state budget in 2003. That year, then Governor John Rowland vetoed the General Assembly’s continuing spending resolution and issued his own series of executive orders. At the time, Governor Rowland claimed that the General Assembly did not have the authority to pass its two-week resolution, which it did on June 30th, the day before the start of the new fiscal year. The Attorney General disagreed – but, while the Legislature had the authority to pass continuing resolutions, the Governor also had the authority to veto them and to issue his own executive orders. Again, the Democrats controlled the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
According to an interesting report recently issued by the General Assembly’s nonpartisan Office of Legislative Research, there is nothing in either state law or the state constitution spelling out what to do to pay the bills and keep government running in the absence of a budget. When we found ourselves in this situation back in 1991, the state Attorney General based his opinion on how to proceed, in part, on an 1892 Connecticut Supreme Court decision. Not surprisingly, the bottom line is that the state has an obligation to pay necessary expenses – with or without a state budget.
Based on the opinion issued by the state Attorney General in 1991, the two legal ways to run government in the absence of a state budget is to for the legislature to pass continuing spending resolutions and, or, for the Governor to issue executive orders. As recent history has taught us, the Governor has the authority to veto a continuing resolution passed by the General Assembly. As with all gubernatorial vetoes, it would take a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly to reinstate a continuing spending resolution struck down by the Governor.
This year, Governor Rell has issued two executive orders to keep the state running while she and legislative leaders continue to meet behind closed doors to negotiate a budget agreement. It is my hope that such an agreement is reached soon, and that I have the opportunity to join my colleagues in the General Assembly in voting for a responsible state budget that Connecticut can afford.
As always, I welcome hearing from you. I can be reached at my legislative office in Hartford at 1-800-842-1421, or via e-mail to Rob.Kane@cga.ct.gov.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tax Free Week in Connecticut
Connecticut shoppers are gearing up once again for back to school shopping. In many households this is an expensive venture. Our state aims to help ease this burden by exempting clothing and shoes under $300 from the 6% sales tax for one week beginning Sunday August 16th. The tax free holiday runs through Saturday August 22nd.
This will be the 7th year Connecticut has celebrated this popular shopping week. Since its inception it has saved taxpayers over $3 million dollars. The exclusion applies to each item sold, regardless of how many items are sold to a customer on the same invoice. However, the exclusion does not apply to any portion of the price of an item that costs $300 or more. The exclusion week replaces the regular exemption for articles of clothing or footwear costing less than $50 which remains in effect for all other periods.
Tax free week although popular among families shopping for students is not exclusive to back to school shopping. It is also a tool to spur consumer spending, and is a part of the economic development in the state. Retailers benefit from the week as well and look forward to it each year.
The Sales and Use Tax Exclusion is regulated by the Department of Revenue Services. More information on it can be found on their website at http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?a=1514&q=318566.
As always I encourage anyone with questions to contact my office for more information at 860 240 0381 or via email at rob.kane@cga.ct.gov
This will be the 7th year Connecticut has celebrated this popular shopping week. Since its inception it has saved taxpayers over $3 million dollars. The exclusion applies to each item sold, regardless of how many items are sold to a customer on the same invoice. However, the exclusion does not apply to any portion of the price of an item that costs $300 or more. The exclusion week replaces the regular exemption for articles of clothing or footwear costing less than $50 which remains in effect for all other periods.
Tax free week although popular among families shopping for students is not exclusive to back to school shopping. It is also a tool to spur consumer spending, and is a part of the economic development in the state. Retailers benefit from the week as well and look forward to it each year.
The Sales and Use Tax Exclusion is regulated by the Department of Revenue Services. More information on it can be found on their website at http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?a=1514&q=318566.
As always I encourage anyone with questions to contact my office for more information at 860 240 0381 or via email at rob.kane@cga.ct.gov
Senator Kane on Twitter
Social networking has taken hold of us all and I am no exception. Blogger, Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace just to name a few. My latest venture into cyberspace is on Twitter. You can follow my daily updates or “tweets” of what I am doing, where I am and how I am working for the residents of the 32nd District.
Twitter allows me to connect with you daily with quick text like micro-blogs. I encourage you to join me on Twitter, it’s free. Sign on to follow me at www.twitter.com/senatorkane32. As a follower we can engage in dialogue about what concerns you most about your town in the 32nd District or the State of Connecticut at large. I am proud to represent and serve you in the State Senate and the more ways we can connect and engage one another the better.
See you in cyberspace!
Twitter allows me to connect with you daily with quick text like micro-blogs. I encourage you to join me on Twitter, it’s free. Sign on to follow me at www.twitter.com/senatorkane32. As a follower we can engage in dialogue about what concerns you most about your town in the 32nd District or the State of Connecticut at large. I am proud to represent and serve you in the State Senate and the more ways we can connect and engage one another the better.
See you in cyberspace!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Senator Kane Fights To Protect Legislation Important To Local Communities
State Senator Rob Kane (R-32) said he helped to protect legislation important to local communities during the General Assembly’s recent veto session.
The legislation, House Bill 6649 (Public Act 09-186) An Act Concerning The Programs And Activities Of The Department Of Transportation, includes provisions for installing a sign at Exit 37, Route 8 southbound, for the Watertown Business Park, and for installing signs on I-84 at exits 15 east and west in Southbury for the Connecticut Antiques Trail. Senator Kane voted to preserve the legislation during the veto session.
“I respect Governor Rell’s efforts to control costs during these tough economic times, but I disagree with her on this bill. Supporting community efforts to promote local businesses is a way for the state to help revitalize our economy. These particular projects, installing highway signs pointing the way to the Watertown Business Park and to the Connecticut Antiques Trail, have a great deal of community support. Providing this type of help to our local businesses, especially during the recession, is an investment,” said Senator Kane.
Senator Kane did vote to sustain the Governor’s vetoes of seven other bills considered Monday, including legislation that begins the process of establishing a universal health care system in Connecticut, and that creates a cumbersome, time-consuming system of forecasting revenues as part of the budget process. However, the General Assembly successfully overrode seven of the eight gubernatorial vetoes acted upon.
“I was disappointed when the General Assembly overturned the Governor’s veto of the so-called SustiNet bill that creates a board charged with making recommendations for a very costly state universal health care system that might not even work with whatever plan Congress ultimately adopts. There is just too much we do not know, and need to know, before the state starts down this road,” said Senator Kane, adding that he joined other legislators in successfully helping to sustain Governor Rell’s veto of another bill that would have converted the state employee health care plan to a self-insured plan available to municipal government workers, non-profit employers and small employers.
The legislation, House Bill 6649 (Public Act 09-186) An Act Concerning The Programs And Activities Of The Department Of Transportation, includes provisions for installing a sign at Exit 37, Route 8 southbound, for the Watertown Business Park, and for installing signs on I-84 at exits 15 east and west in Southbury for the Connecticut Antiques Trail. Senator Kane voted to preserve the legislation during the veto session.
“I respect Governor Rell’s efforts to control costs during these tough economic times, but I disagree with her on this bill. Supporting community efforts to promote local businesses is a way for the state to help revitalize our economy. These particular projects, installing highway signs pointing the way to the Watertown Business Park and to the Connecticut Antiques Trail, have a great deal of community support. Providing this type of help to our local businesses, especially during the recession, is an investment,” said Senator Kane.
Senator Kane did vote to sustain the Governor’s vetoes of seven other bills considered Monday, including legislation that begins the process of establishing a universal health care system in Connecticut, and that creates a cumbersome, time-consuming system of forecasting revenues as part of the budget process. However, the General Assembly successfully overrode seven of the eight gubernatorial vetoes acted upon.
“I was disappointed when the General Assembly overturned the Governor’s veto of the so-called SustiNet bill that creates a board charged with making recommendations for a very costly state universal health care system that might not even work with whatever plan Congress ultimately adopts. There is just too much we do not know, and need to know, before the state starts down this road,” said Senator Kane, adding that he joined other legislators in successfully helping to sustain Governor Rell’s veto of another bill that would have converted the state employee health care plan to a self-insured plan available to municipal government workers, non-profit employers and small employers.
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