In This Issue:
From Paddi's Desk
CT Agency Corner
Municipal Roundup
From Inside The Golden Dome
This Day in CT History
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The last work day of the last day of the year. WOW
It was an interesting year for sure. Many of us would have thought this whole COVID thing would be a memory of the past. But not only is it still hanging around for those who have not been fully vaccinated, it’s raining down on them hard this week. With Christmas celebrations over and CTs positive rate up in the 14% - 15% range one can only wonder what the new year’s celebrations might do to further increase the positive test results among non-vaccinated people and those who have not yet had their booster shot or maybe even their second shot. "Mind boggling" is all I have to say.
As I look back at the last several months, I think about the impacts that 2022 will bring to Connecticut. First there’s the dire needs of business large small and everyone in-between struggling to locate and hire employees to keep the doors open, stay afloat or even expand. There is a desperate need for a strong economy since most of the surplus that CT is so fortunate to have midway through the fiscal year is due to an administration who has the opportunity to reshape government services through the use of technology, as well as an ability to leverage the large number of state employees looking to retire before their benefits take a hit based on former governors Malloy’s negotiations with labor union from years past. We also will have the unique challenge of having the CT legislature review, analyze and approve a ton of union contracts this session while trying to get CT back on track in the public and private sector. All legislators and state wide officials will be facing reelection or retirement in the fall of 2022.
And we’ve even seen the Voice of Connecticut, WTIC 1080’s 29 year veteran Ray Dunaway call his last call and serve as a human alarm clock for many this past week over the 50,000 watt radio station. The connection to CT politics, both “capitol P” politics and plain old politics, can’t be denied. His years of exploring the issues, curious pursuit for the real story all done with a laugh, and good nature and fairness in the critical morning hour will be sorely missed. But have no fear, Ray spent his last year imparting his wisdom on Connecticut politics, passed on his unique way of getting folks to tell their story while connecting to the listener to his able bodied co-host Brian Shactman who takes over the microphone on Monday, January 3rd. Brian is no stranger to CT after controlling the airways on WVIT –TV and at ESPN before returning to the CT market through the airways.
Things will change, but it’s an opportunity for listeners to look to the future and help share their new morning routine. After all, the New Year is really all about New Year’s resolutions isn’t it?
Many others of prominence in Connecticut used the year end to make announcements about their retirements from public service too. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced months ago that she will complete her term and not seek reelection in the Fall after more than 31 years in public service, time well served. State Comptroller Kevin Lembo made a surprise announcement a month ago that unfortunately, due to health reasons, he most resign his office after serving 10 years as state comptroller and as the state's first healthcare advocate since 2004. A great public servant, who is respected and liked by all, creates an opportunity for many to seek statewide office in the Fall of 2022.
This Fall, John Droney, another great public servant announced his departure from the practice of law. The former holder of the highest non-elected partisan role within the Democratic Party also has called it a day. As long time Democratic state party chair, John was able to work amicably with then Republican state party chair Richard Foley (not to be confused with former republican candidate for governor Tom Foley) and bring the debate on issues to the forefront, staying true to the party platform but making his points and demonstrating the difference between the parties in a civilized and often humorous manner. It was such a treat to wake up in the morning read the Hartford Courant and read the banter back and forth of Chairman Droney as he took apart the argument of his peer Dick Foley! It made for great theater, all in a civilized and articulate manner.
2021 took its toll on Connecticut in terms of the extended and unexpected duration of the COVID pandemic as well as the departure of some long time respected and talented public servants from the political and media world. Let’s all be thankful for those who continue to serve the residents of Connecticut and look to 2022 as a rebuilding year to strengthen the Connecticut community that is strong and viable; as well as empower all to make 2022 a time to focus on deepening a culture of civility; building a stronger acceptance of differing opinions and investing in the people, the companies and organizations that make Connecticut a place to live work and play. We need to continue to be the best we can be – politics aside.
Be happy, be healthy and be safe.
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Even-Yeared Budgets Still Present Challenges/Opportunities
As the state begins to launch into the next midterm adjustment budget session, there are important benchmarks of the budget session approaching to keep in mind as it pertains to our session. Here are the major takeaways to keep in mind for next year:
The Governor’s budget is released to the public on the opening day of session February 9, 2022. Connecticut is currently approaching year two of a biennial budget which means the budget released in February is called a “mid-term adjustment” budget.
- Legislative priorities for the Executive Branch usually are released by early January and our office will share them with your team as soon as they are made available.
- As of this week, Connecticut has still maintained a $942M surplus but this number is largely inflated by Federal funding. This number could also fluctuate based on the tax collection deadline which is April 15, 2022.
- The budget requirement in Connecticut is that the state must have a balanced budget each fiscal year which starts July 1, 2022. Given our current surplus, the legislative and Governor do not need to make large structural changes to the budget that passed last session but there will likely be revisions given the large amount of Federal funding keeping the budget balanced.
- 2022 is a major election cycle year for all offices in Connecticut state government and all congressional/U.S. Senate seats expect U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut). The Connecticut state offices up for election this year include Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Comptroller, State Attorney’s General, State Treasurer, State Senate and State Representative.
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The big news on the local level this week has circled back to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the infection rate has risen over double digit percentages, the discussion of whether or not to institute mask mandates has become a more frequent discussion within the town halls in Connecticut. Several communities including Hartford and New Haven have reinstated previously-lifted mask mandates and many communities are sure to follow in the coming days. In a recent press conference, Governor Lamont was asked whether or not he would institute another state-wide mask mandate and the response was very clear: it’s the local governments' decision this time.
Additionally, this week Governor Lamont announced that the state would purchase millions of N95 masks and at home COVID tests to give to residents in Connecticut. The state will distribute 6 million masks and 500,000 at home test kits, which have two tests each over the coming days. Local governments have been inundated with questions about when and where residents can pick up these masks and tests and those details have yet to be determined. Governor Lamont suggested that he and the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) and the CT National Guard among others will meet to determine the best course of action in allocating these free masks and tests.
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Secretary of State Race: A New Challenger Approaches
As you may know, Secretary of State Denise Merrill will not be seeking re-election in 2022. This week, yet another candidate has thrown his hat into the ring, vying for the soon-to-be vacant Secretary of State position. This new candidate is Rob Simmelkjaer, chairman of the CT Lottery Board of Directors and former executive for ESPN. Simmelkjaer, running as a Democrat, joins a large field of candidates. On the democratic side of the race, State Representatives Hilda Santiago, Matt Lesser, Josh Elliott and Tammy Exum are all vying for the position, along with New Haven Alderman Darryl Brackeen. Elliott and Lesser have only created exploratory committees so far. On the republican side there are two candidates who have declared intent to run: former Apple Executive Dominic Rapini, and Brock Weber who serves as an aide to New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart. In 2018, Merrill won reelection with 55.9% of the vote to her Republican opponent's 42.5%. A Republican has not held the position since 1995. With no clear front runners so far, we expect more candidates to join the race in the coming months.
In lighter news, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has started a "Name the Snowplow" contest, which ends tomorrow, December 31st! Click here to access the web page where you can submit a name for one of the four snowplows that DOT have chosen for the contest. If selected, your submitted name will be featured on the side of a CTDOT tandem axle Tow Plow. Winners will be photographed next to the newly named snowplow and featured on the DOT website and social media pages!
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December 30th: A Winter Mutiny at "Connecticut's Valley Forge"
When Americans think of the hardships faced by starving, shivering Continental Army troops during the harsh winters of the Revolutionary War, they usually remember the infamous winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in 1777–1778. What few realize, however, is that the eastern division of the Continental Army under the command of General Israel Putnam endured virtually identical trials and tribulations one year later while encamped in the vicinity of Redding, Connecticut.
The choice of Redding was a strategic one for Putnam’s division of troops: they had spent the previous months patrolling and skirmishing along the crucial Hudson River Valley, and from their camp in western Connecticut, they could still easily dispatch troops or couriers to West Point, Westchester County, New York City, or the interior of New England. Once the troops settled in for the winter in November 1778, however, what little energy they had left became fully devoted to surviving the same type of brutal winter conditions suffered by their compatriots at Valley Forge the year before. Compounding the harsh winds, snows, and frigid temperatures was a critical lack of supplies, including food, blankets, and winter clothing. Even worse, the troops had been paid in devalued paper Continental currency, rendering many of them unable to provide financial support for their families at home.
All of these miseries, and the frustrations that came with them, culminated in an attempted mutiny which took place at the Redding encampment on December 30, 1778. That day, a large number of troops decided to abandon the camp and march on Hartford to demand relief from the state General Assembly. Sometime that morning, General Putnam got word of the forthcoming uprising, and rode his horse to where the disgruntled troops were gathering. There, according to several sources, he rode among them and delivered a rousing speech, rebuking them for deserting their country in its hour of need and appealing to their sense of patriotism and honor:
“You have behaved like men so far; all the world is full of your praises, and posterity will stand astonished at your deeds; but not if you spoil it all at last. Don’t you consider how much the country is distressed by the war, and that your officers have not been any better paid than yourselves? …Let us all stand by one another then, and fight it out like brave soldiers. Think what a shame it would be for Connecticut men to run away from their officers.”
Putnam’s inspiring speech to his starving troops worked well enough to restrain them from carrying out the planned mutiny. And having regained control of his command, Putnam was lenient on the mutineers. Out of the many soldiers involved, only one one was identified as an unrepentant ringleader and confined. (He was later shot to death by a sentry while trying to escape).
While the uprising of December 30th was narrowly prevented, the grueling winter and terrible conditions continued, with only limited relief in the form of food and supplies. The Connecticut encampment was plagued by threats of desertion and mutiny for the entire length of the troops’ stay in Redding, which later acquired the fitting nickname of “Connecticut’s Valley Forge.”
The original article from the CT Humanities Council can be found here.
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Sullivan & LeShane, Inc.
www.ctlobby.com | (860) 560-0000
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