Political Capitol

Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele of Stamford today officially launched his campaign to replace his outgoing boss – Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell – in 2010.

He accused the legislature’s Democratic-majority of increasing big government programs and raising taxes at a time when lawmakers should instead be focused on job growth.

And I couldn’t help but think “What about Charter Oak?”

Charter Oak is the sometimes controversial initiative the Rell administration, through the state Department of Social Services, launched in mid-2008 to provide a form of affordable health care to uninsured or under-insured adults.

Charter Oak qualifies as a new big government social program paid for by taxpayers. In fact Rell, as part of a plan issued last week to address Connecticut’s growing deficit, proposed freezing enrollment in Charter Oak to save $1.8 million.

And Rell considers Charter Oak a high point of her administration because she referred to it as such on Nov. 9 when she announced she would not seek re-election.

“It’s not the pundits or the politicians who live and breathe for party politics and constant campaigning that drive me to serve and to work hard. It’s the people of Connecticut,” Rell said. “The woman whose cheeks were wet from tears of appreciation and relief as she signed up for the Charter Oak program.”

There’s also this press release she issued to mark the program’s one-year anniversary this past summer.

So I asked Fedele his plans for Charter Oak if elected Governor, since, aside from being implemented by his Republican boss, the initiative is a prime example of the big government-type Democratic social programs he spent Wednesday criticizing.**

“If elected we’re going to look at everything,” Fedele said.

But he quickly added he believes Charter Oak is working.

Fedele said there will be a place for social programs in his administration.

“You have to be kind-hearted, too,” Fedele said. “Clearly there’s a role for government to provide to individuals.”

But, he said, he continues to believe the best way to empower people is through creating jobs.

** It should be noted that the legislature’s Democratic-majority spent quite a few months in 2008 and early 2009 arguing Charter Oak does not do enough, is poorly managed by DSS and that the resources might be better spent elsewhere, but that’s a whole other topic.