Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

A whodunit at the state Capitol

  • by Mark Pazniokas
  • April 29, 2011
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Oh, the state Capitol loves its mysteries.

Try this one: Who wrote a provision in the newly revised budget that shifts control over the public financing of campaigns from the non-partisan State Elections Enforcement Commission to a partisan elected official, the secretary of the state?

Not us, says the governor’s staff. Or us, says the secretary of the state’s office. Or us, say the leaders of the House and Senate, the committee that approved the budget, and the panel responsible for elections law.

“Somebody had to write the goddamned thing,” said Karen Hobert Flynn, vice president of Common Cause.

One would think.

But after a week of making calls and knocking on doors at the state Capitol and Legislative Office Building, Hobert Flynn can’t find anyone willing to own up to the changes.

“From our standpoint, there’s lots of questions and problems and not a lot of answers,” Hobert Flynn said.

“The legislative process has never been accused of being perfect,” said gubernatorial adviser Roy Occhiogrosso, who was a House and Senate staffer earlier in his career. “That track record remains unbroken. Clearly, there are things in the package that are imperfect. This is one of them.”

One thing is clear: Gov. Dannel P. Malloy put the elections commission in play in February by proposing to consolidate 11 watchdog agencies with responsibilities ranging from overseeing judicial conduct to freedom of information into an Office of Governmental Accountability.

The concept was to have common administrative staffs, while keeping each unit’s specialized function intact as divisions within the new OGA.

But when the Appropriations Committee voted last week to send a revised budget proposal to the House, the State Elections Enforcement Commission no longer was moving intact into the new watchdog agency.

Its staff of 52 was scattered. Only eight jobs moved to OGA, while 15 were eliminated, one moved to the Auditors of Public Accounts and 25 associated with the Citizens’ Election Program, as the public-financing law is formally known, were earmarked for the secretary of the state’s office.

“This is a disaster. It makes no sense. I do not support it,” said Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford, the co-chairwoman of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, which is supposed to oversee elections law. “This came out of the blue, from behind closed doors.”

“I was shocked,” said Rep. Russell A. Morin, D-Wethersfield, the other co-chairman.

“That was not mine,” said Rep. Toni E. Walker, D-New Haven, co-chair of the Appropriations Committee. She added, “I don’t think that’s been etched in stone.”

Splitting the functions of the State Elections Enforcement Commission three ways seemed to be the opposite of Malloy’s call for consolidation, and handing the Citizens’ Election Program to the secretary of the state never was subjected to a public hearing, Morin and Slossberg said.

On the same day earlier this week, Morin demanded and obtained a meeting with House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden, while Slossberg, whose relationship with Senate leadership is strained, confronted the governor’s senior adviser, Occhiogrosso.

“We don’t think it is a good idea,” Occhiogrosso said.

The Citizens’ Election Program is voluntary system under which qualifying candidates who abide by spending limits are entitled to public financing for their campaigns. It was created in 2005 after a corruption scandal forced the resignation of Gov. John G. Rowland.

It requires participating candidates to raise qualifying amounts, relying on contributions of no more $100. A gubernatorial candidate needs to raise $250,000; as originally written, the law provided for initial grants of $1.25 million for a primary and $3 million for the general election. Those amounts could be doubled if a non-participating opponent exceeded certain spending limits.

The first statewide candidate to qualify was Malloy, whose campaign was fortified with $8.5 million in public money, allowing him to defeat self-funding millionaires in the Democratic primary and general election. Spending by his primary opponent triggered a supplemental grant of $1.25 million in the primary.

After a court decision banned supplemental grants triggered by an opponent’s spending, the legislature doubled the general-election grant from $3 million to $6 million.

Left unclear by the new budget language is exactly who would approve candidates’ applications for public financing in the future. Under current law, the elections enforcement commission has the final word, based on the recommendation of its staff.

Will the secretary of the state perform that function?

No one will say. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill was out of state, but her deputy, James F. Spallone, said he believes that question is unresolved.

“There’s a lot of details to be worked out,” Spallone said. “I hate the cliche, but it’s a work in progress.”

He said that Merrill, who was House majority leader until January, did not lobby for the change.

“It was not our initiative,” said Spallone, who was House co-chairman of the Government Administration and Elections Committee until January. “When asked, we always said we were willing to help with the consolidation of services.”

Spallone said they learned of the secretary’s proposed new role only when the new budget language was produced last week. While Spallone said his office did not seek the change, he defended it and insisted it could work well. The attorney general is a partisan elected official, Spallone noted, yet he often is called up to handle politically sensitive matters.

But Hobert Flynn questioned if any elected official really wants to be in the middle of the fights that occur over public financing. Merrill is a diligent and well-respected official, she said, but no partisan elected office holder should be in a position to control the public financing program, especially when the secretary’s campaign might be publicly financed.

In 2010, one Republican candidate for governor, Tom Foley, tried to block public financing for a GOP rival, Michael C. Fedele. Michael Jarjura, a Democratic candidate for comptroller, made a similar effort to stop funding of his party rival, Kevin Lembo. Both failed.

“It’s important to maintain the independence,” Hobert Flynn said.

In a letter to the governor and Democratic legislative leaders, Hobert Flynn joined Cheri Quickmire, the executive director of Common Cause, and Christine Horrigan, the vice president of public affairs for the League of Women Voters, in saying that the changes will undermine the credibility and integrity of the program.

“Whoever serves as the Secretary of the State is a partisan elected official who may again run under the program that he or she would be tasked with overseeing,” they wrote. “This plan creates an appearance that a partisan elected official controls who gets grants and who does not.  Should the Secretary be willing to sign off on a grant application when there are no auditors to review the application to make sure that the qualifying contributions that a candidate collected are actually eligible?”

Common Cause and the League of Women Voters have concerns beyond who ends up in charge of the Citizens’ Election Program. The proposed budget also cuts by $8 million the money available for candidates.

“If it is a permanent cut, there will not be enough money for the 2014 elections. If there are insufficient funds, the Commission must by law reduce payment amounts to candidates and allow them to raise money from prohibited sources – like PACs and wealthy donors to fill the gap,” wrote Hobert Flynn and her colleagues. “That will be a devastating blow to this historic and sweeping good government program.”

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Pazniokas

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
As the push to reopen schools intensifies, Miguel Cardona and first lady Jill Biden travel to Meriden to show how this town did it
by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas and Adria Watson

Cardona said getting the nation's schools reopened is priority No. 1.

Bill would create sexual misconduct climate surveys for Connecticut’s colleges
by Adria Watson

The surveys would be conducted every two years.

How does the public option bill differ from Gov. Ned Lamont’s health care plan? Here’s a look at the two proposals.
by Jenna Carlesso

With the rising cost of care a central issue this legislative session, lawmakers and Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration have each moved ahead with their own plans aimed at driving down prices.

How do we show that we value teachers? By listening to them.
by Sana Shaikh

When I was graduating college, my friends’ futures were brimming with impressive labels: Google, Facebook, McKinsey, Bain, PhD, MD, Fulbrights – the list of professional excellence was seemingly never-ending. When I said that I was becoming a teacher, I got puzzled looks – “Why would you be a teacher?” “If you can’t do, teach,” I heard. The nonchalance about my professional trajectory was unsettling. What’s more? Nothing has changed in the last ten years.

Sports betting in Connecticut: Can’t all the brands just get along?
by Bill Field

When it comes to legalized sports betting in Connecticut, it’s time that all of the parties gathered in a room and hammered out an agreement that works for everyone. The adage of everyone benefiting from a rising tide hasn’t resonated in the past two and half years. 

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion How do we show that we value teachers? By listening to them.
by Sana Shaikh

When I was graduating college, my friends’ futures were brimming with impressive labels: Google, Facebook, McKinsey, Bain, PhD, MD, Fulbrights – the list of professional excellence was seemingly never-ending. When I said that I was becoming a teacher, I got puzzled looks – “Why would you be a teacher?” “If you can’t do, teach,” I heard. The nonchalance about my professional trajectory was unsettling. What’s more? Nothing has changed in the last ten years.

Opinion Sports betting in Connecticut: Can’t all the brands just get along?
by Bill Field

When it comes to legalized sports betting in Connecticut, it’s time that all of the parties gathered in a room and hammered out an agreement that works for everyone. The adage of everyone benefiting from a rising tide hasn’t resonated in the past two and half years. 

Opinion COVID-19 will push nursing home design forward
by Myles R. Brown

Over 40 percent of American deaths attributed to COVID-19 have been nursing home residents. Outdated nursing home designs contributed to the scale of this tragedy in Connecticut. Many design changes that could have prevented the spread of COVID-19 were already needed to improve the well-being of nursing home residents. The pandemic has made these issues impossible to ignore.

Opinion Let gig economy workers pursue options
by Nicole Petruzzi

In response to your February 22 story, “In an evolving economy, lawmakers take roles once played by unions:” Like many Connecticut workers, I struggle to make ends meet for my family, even when working full time. This last year has been a particularly hard time. I started looking for a part-time job to supplement my income, but I was worried that even something part-time would take away precious and needed time with my family.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO