Gov. Jodi Rell this afternoon announced she has vetoed a bill that the Blogster thought reeked of special-interest shenanigans. It would have let the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), which runs the eight-town Hartford area water and sewage system, to use so-called profits to contribute to the new Connecticut Science Center. In her veto statement, Rell said the proposal could cost ratepayers up to $2 million.
It’s a classic ‘rat,’ a term of art for a bill that had been cared for, fed and groomed by special interests, with the help of majority Democrats.
“Ratepayer funds are not intended for charitable donations, even for such commendable purposes as sponsoring museum exhibits,” Rell said. “Allowing MDC to increase its charges to ratepayers simply so it can make such contributions not only sets bad precedent, but creates a slippery slope which may lead to ratepayers bearing the cost of millions of dollars of charitable contributions.Customers of the MDC have not authorized these contributions nor would they be able to oppose them. They would have no choice but to pay the higher rates in order to receive water and sewer service. Given the state of the global economy and the toll it is taking in Connecticut, this is not the time to place additional financial burdens on the residents of MDC’s member towns.”
The chairman of the MDC is none other than Bill DiBella, the Democatic former state Senate minority and majority leader. So in less than a week, Rell has squashed pet bills of Senate Pro Tempore Don Williams (the nutrition bill) and DiBella. Can the anticipated veto of the two healthcare bills so dear to Speaker of the House Chris Donovan be far behind? The deadline for Rell’s action on those is tomorrow.