TWO BITES OF THE APPLE
 

The 2008 General Assembly wrapped up business May 7, but as is often the case at the State Capitol, lawmakers expect to come back for a special session, probably on June 11. In addition, there will likely be a veto session in July to reconsider bills rejected by Republican Gov. Jodi Rell. That information has made lobbyists, special interests, lawmakers and others hungry for a second bite of the political apple—another chance at something lost or left out in the regular session.

Democratic legislative leaders ordered the special session to take up a bill extending the existing real estate conveyance tax levied on real estate sales. The tax will disappear if it is not re-authorized. Cities and towns get a healthy chunk of the tax revenues, and many lawmakers feel they must continue the tax to provide this money, because tight budget conditions prevent them from giving municipalities any new money.

Realtors oppose continuation of the conveyance tax, claiming it's tough enough out there for home sellers, home buyers, and real estate agents in the current depressed housing market. They've launched a TV ad campaign against the tax.

Rell is urging lawmakers to take a "second bite" of ethics reform by bringing back the controversial bill that would revoke the pensions of corrupt politicians and state and municipal employees. The bill became the victim of House-Senate differences during the regular session.

The governor wants the pension revocation bill on the special session agenda. In recent weeks, Rell and key lawmakers have said it should be on the agenda only if a compromise can be reached ahead of time.

"The time has come for us to justify the faith and trust the people have placed in us," said Rell. "Connecticut residents want these reforms, and they expect their elected leaders to work together to see these common-sense measures are passed into law."

Senate Democratic leaders agreed, stating: "We must enact stronger laws which include pension revocation and we must do it now."

House and Senate Republicans have their own cause célèbre to promote. During the regular session they tried unsuccessfully to have floor debate on their so-called "do-something budget" that would provide new funding for nursing homes, education programs, and a summertime gas tax break. GOP lawmakers accused the Democrat majority and their own Republican leader, Gov. Rell, of ignoring pressing state needs by deciding to stick with the two-year state budget now in place.

GOP legislative leaders explained their position: "It is clear that doing nothing does not mean doing no harm." The Democratic House Speaker James Amann threw cold water on the GOP push for renewed consideration of their budget. Said Amann: "Throw away the stick. The horse is dead. Stop beating it."

Beyond the special session, other interests will try to breathe life back into vetoed bills come July. Rell rejected a bill to hike the minimum wage, raising it from $7.65 an hour to $8 in January, citing concerns about raising costs for companies under recessionary conditions. The bill passed the House and Senate by "veto-proof" margins, so it's likely labor will ask for a veto override attempt.

State employee labor unions have been waging an intense campaign to win the governor's approval on the health insurance "pooling bill" that would allow municipal employees, and workers for non-profits and small companies to become part of the state health insurance "pool." Rell's decision on the bill could come this week. If it is vetoed, the unions may want their Democratic allies to try a veto override.

The issues already mentioned are the ones getting the most public attention in the "second bite" campaign, but legislative leaders freely admit they're being besieged by rank-and-file lawmakers and lobbyists to give their failed bills another chance. Barring a compelling argument, most of these "pet project" bills will have to wait until next year. Giving in to one lawmaker while rejecting the pleas of others would be risky business for legislative leaders.

Posted 6/02/08

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