Ken Dixon's Blog-O-Rama

Connecticut politics is a contact sport

Francine Wheeler of Newtown, whose son Ben, 6, was gunned down at SHES, will give tomorrow’s Presidential Radio Address

Friday, April 12, 2013 by:Ken Dixon
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This from Sandy Hook Promise:

“Francine Wheeler, a mother from Newtown, Connecticut who lost her 6-year old son Ben to gun violence on December 14, 2012, will be giving the Presidential Radio Address on Saturday, April 13, the day before the four month anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting.  Mrs. Wheeler is the first citizen during the Obama Administration to deliver the Presidential Radio Address.”

She issued the following statement:

 

“I am honored that the President asked me to give the Radio Address this morning.  We were grateful this week to be able to speak directly to Senators about our children and our hopes that no other parent should have to experience our grief.  I am equally grateful today to speak directly to the American people about the common sense solutions that are currently under debate.”

 

Categories: General

Gov. Malloy’s on thin ice, so he might as well dance, at the Frozen Two

Friday, April 12, 2013 by:Ken Dixon
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This from Gov. Dan Malloy:

“Governor Dannel P. Malloy today congratulated both the Quinnipiac Bobcats and the Yale Bulldogs hockey teams on their respective Frozen Four victories last night and for advancing to what has become an all-Connecticut national championship game.  Saturday night will mark the first time that two teams from the same state played each other in the NCAA hockey championship since 1978.

 

“Both the Bobcats and the Bulldogs pulled off impressive wins on the ice last night, once again focusing the eyes of college sports on Connecticut.  There’s no doubt that these two teams have made Connecticut the center of the college hockey universe,” Governor Malloy said.  “Each team’s players and Coaches Pecknold and Allain must be commended for their impressive victories this season, and I wish them the best in Saturday night’s championship game.

 

“The Bobcats and the Bulldogs hockey teams have created what is becoming a New Haven-area backyard rivalry the likes of which is becoming on par with the great battle of Sally’s versus Pepe’s.  And seeing as it’s become tradition over the years for the governors of the two opposing states who make it to national championship games to make friendly wagers with each other, I’m going to have to make a unique arrangement in this circumstance.  If Quinnipiac wins, I think I will treat myself to some pizza at Pepe’s, and if Yale wins, I’ll head on over to Sally’s – and if after regulation it’s tied, perhaps I’ll take myself to Modern.

 

“Either way, it’s a win for Connecticut.  Congratulations to both teams!”

 

 

Categories: General

Disabled group to sue state over firearms

Thursday, April 11, 2013 by:Ken Dixon
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“Scott Ennis of New London, Connecticut, and his group Disabled Americans for Firearms Rights, will be filing an action for declaratory judgment against Gov. Malloy challenging parts of the newly enacted gun law. A copy of the lawsuit is below. Please note this has not been filed in court, or even served yet. It has been delivered to a marshal for service on the Governor through the Attorney General’s office, as required by state statute. We expect it to be served in the coming days, after which it will be filed in court.”

Categories: General

Gov. Malloy answers question on background checks two ways: long and short

Thursday, March 28, 2013 by:Ken Dixon
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From a recording of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s remarks in the Capitol today, in reaction to the release of details on the Sandy Hook School shooting.

Blogster: “Governor, there’s a faction of lawmakers here who believe that on the transfer of weapons within a family, background checks are not needed. There’s evidence of a holiday card and a check from Nancy Lanza to Adam for the purchase of a weapon. Does this report kind of blow up that idea?”

Malloy: “Listen, our country needs to change its ways. Forty percent of guns change hands outside of background checks. So I’ll go back to the thing I keep saying.

I cannot get on a plane in this country without somebody doing a background check on me, every single time I get on a plane. But we allow 40 percent of guns to change hands without a background check? It makes no sense. In fact it makes no sense to such a degree that the NRA once understood that and now has changed its position. And it needs to change its position again or it needs to be overridden by some number of people in Washington who have the gumption, the guts and the morale fortitude to get the job done.”

Blogster: “Is that a yes, governor?”

Malloy: “Yes”

Categories: General

Malloy is conflicted on physician-assisted suicide bill

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 by:Ken Dixon
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was asked to comment today on the bill on physician-assisted suicide that was the subject of a Monday public hearing:

“It’s an issue that fraught with fears. It represents taboos, both religious and societal. It also raises very substantial questions about the ability of one to control their own destiny. I have not reached a conclusion on that bill in Connecticut. I have done a fair amount of reading and reflecting on some of the statutes that exist in other states and other places. My mother was a nurse and certainly understood an appropriate role for a doctor to play with respect to end-of-life decisions and care. My own mother died while being cared for in hospice. She did not end her own life, but I suppose if she had decided to, as a son I probably would have supported her decision. I’m just admitting it’s a very complex and difficult issue.”

The Public Health Committee has until April 5 to act on the proposed legislation.

Categories: General

Gov Malloy says Super Storm Sandy has resulted in more than $250 M in federeal disaster assistance

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 by:Ken Dixon
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Governor Dannel P. Malloy today thanked President Obama and FEMA for approving more than $250 million in federal disaster aid after Super Storm Sandy. Here’s the governor’s breakdown:

  • “12,380 Connecticut residents registered for federal disaster assistance during the application period which ended February 12;
  • $12,068,937 has been approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs;
  • $997,312 has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions;
  • $40,829,200 in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration;
  • $10,969 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance has been approved;
  • $3,529,608 in Public Assistance grants has been obligated to municipalities statewide for Sandy-related expenses; and
  • 4,939 flood insurance claims under the National Flood Insurance Program totaling $195,555,764 have been paid to date.”
Categories: General

Be afraid. Bill in public hearing today would allow cloak of secrecy over “public” meetings

Monday, March 25, 2013 by:Ken Dixon
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Under House Bill 1148, which is up for a public hearing in the Government Administration & Elections Committee this morning, meetings that are currently public could be held in secret.

Here’s the scary section: (E) negotiations between members of different political parties who are in a leadership position, with respect to proposed legislation or a proposed action of the public agency to which such members belong, notwithstanding that such members also constitute a quorum of a public agency; (F)

The analysis of the bill is “To exempt certain negotiations between the leaders of political parties from being considered a meeting for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act.”


Categories: General

Hovey complains about State Police release of Lanza’s spreadsheet of historic massacres

Wednesday, March 20, 2013 by:Ken Dixon
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State Rep. DebraLee Hovey, R-Monroe, whose district includes part of Newtown, complained about State Police Col. Danny R. Stebbins’ release of information at a law enforcement gathering in New Orleans, where details of Adam Lanza’s research into mass killings was released. The information was published in the New York Daily News last weekend. State Police admitted the information was leaked in New Orleans and promised no further information would be coming until an official report is finished.

“In the strongest terms I reject the explanation from the State Police and Col. Danny Stebbins related to this incredibly insensitive release of information,” Hovey said in a statement.  “The families and victims of this horrific act deserve the respect to be notified in advance of any and all releases of information.  The fact Col. Stebbins chose to share details with a conference before families were notified and before any official findings have been released shows incredibly poor judgment and is unconscionable. Delaying release of important information to those affected is just plain wrong. The people of Newtown and the lawmakers on the bipartisan Task Force who are crafting legislation on gun control, mental health and school security- legislation that will affect the entire state- must have access to all of the official facts.  The first time they see this should not be in the newspaper.”

Categories: General
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