Inside the Capitol: Butting Heads; Can Republicans Steal Session … Again?
by Christine Stuart | February 19, 2008 6:53 PM
Posted to State Capitol
It was clear before the legislative session began Feb. 6 that House and Senate Democrats were not on the same page on at least one issue: the economy.
Under Speaker James Amann’s leadership, House Democrats were hesitant - like Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell - to support refunds for taxpayers. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats under the leadership of Senate President Donald Williams wanted to help Connecticut’s families by giving back an estimated $160 million surplus.
Did someone get the wrong memo? The session hadn’t even started yet, and two of the state’s top Democrats couldn’t even agree to publicly acknowledge that giving money back to taxpayers may be a good idea.
Not to worry. They discussed it over lunch last week.
During said lunch, Williams tried to convince Amann to support his tax refund plan by using the millions in tax credits Amann is seeking for Blue Sky Studios as a bargaining chip to win his support.
Would he go for it? Not so much.
In the lobby of the Legislative Office Building on Tuesday, Amann said the “fairness of it is a little bit off.” Amann said that since the tax credits for Blue Sky already have been planned and would immediately bring 300 new jobs to the state, it’s unfair for Williams to hold Blue Sky hostage with a newly devised refund plan that may never happen if the surplus dips below $100 million.
It isn’t the first time the state’s top two Democrats have disagreed, though Amann noted he likes Williams’ second tax refund plan — which is conditional on the amount of the surplus — better than the initial proposal.
But the appearance of a rift between the two has not gone unnoticed, particularly by the folks in Rell’s office.
“It is unfortunate that the governor dispatched her gremlins to try and sow dissension in the legislature instead of leading the way for tax relief for Connecticut’s families,” said Derek Slap, spokesman for the Senate Democrats, Tuesday evening. He added that he hopes the “Speaker doesn’t fall into the governor’s trap of trying to divide the Democrats.”
Last year, there was so much fighting between the two Democratic caucuses that the Republicans ended up stealing the show and killing the “veto-proof” majority’s plan to make the income tax structure more progressive.
Is anyone wondering what’s on the horizon for the Republicans this year?
Inside the Capitol (ITC) is made up of gossip and other tidbits we pick up around the capitol and legislative offices. This week’s ITC is by Christine Stuart.
Comments (7)
Posted by: ctkeith | February 19, 2008 10:50 PM
Shouldn't there be a link to http://www.amann2010.com/ in this story,lol
Posted by: Rocco Frank | February 20, 2008 12:18 AM
Sounds like Ammann is infected with "Lieberlogic." This occurrs when a politicians impulsive rhetoric overrides his party loyalty.
Posted by: Mike V. | February 20, 2008 12:24 AM
Jim could of saved 250 jobs at Bic in his own district by just not ignoring them!
Posted by: Archimom | February 20, 2008 8:48 AM
Why do people have such short memories? When Rowland gave tax rebates (ahead of an election), nobody thought about "rainy days." Then came 9/11, which was about as rainy as it gets, unless we're talking nuclear....and the state had no "cushion" left. Rell has a better head on her than most of the Democrats in this state. How is it that the title and conclusion of this article cast aspersions on the Republicans while the body of it is about Democrats' in-fighting? Talk about "bait and switch" reportage. Where are your editors there at CT News Junkie??
Posted by: christine | February 20, 2008 9:08 AM
Archimom,
My intention wasn't to cast aspersions on Republicans. I was pointing out an opportunity for the Republicans to again become the heroes of the session, like last year when they presented their no tax increase budget and were able to change the discussion from progressive income tax increases to a small cigarette tax increase.
~Christine
Posted by: ctkeith | February 20, 2008 9:47 AM
Archimom,
I'd only add that,THAKFULLY, the editors have been completely Downsized.
Posted by: Joe | February 20, 2008 2:04 PM
Rowland's rebate was a stupid idea, George W. Bush's past rebate was a stupid idea, Bush's and Congress' current rebates are stupid, and Don Williams idea (which Amann kind of agree maybe sort of?) is also a stupid idea. You talk about short-term thinking . . . well here it is.
And really, am I suupposed to buy that Jim Amann is in danger of falling into the "[G]overnor's trap of trying to divide Democrats"?! Jim Amann gets into trouble just fine on his own. He doesn't need an assist from the Governor.
With Amann and Williams at the helm, I don't know how the Democrats can demonstrate that they are serious about governing. And as a Democrat, that's pretty infuriating.