{"id":271415,"date":"2010-02-03T13:23:38","date_gmt":"2010-02-03T18:23:38","guid":{"rendered":"tag:blogs.courant.com,2010:\/capitol_watch\/\/9.71009"},"modified":"2010-02-03T19:08:02","modified_gmt":"2010-02-04T00:08:02","slug":"text-of-governor-rells-state-of-the-state-speech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/271415","title":{"rendered":"Text Of Governor Rell&#8217;s State Of The State Speech"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>        <o:smarttagtype name=\"date\" namespaceuri=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags\"><\/o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name=\"place\" namespaceuri=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags\"><\/o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name=\"State\" namespaceuri=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags\"><\/o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name=\"PostalCode\" namespaceuri=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags\"><\/o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name=\"City\" namespaceuri=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags\"><\/o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name=\"country-region\" namespaceuri=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags\"><\/o:smarttagtype><link href=\"file:\/\/\/C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cncaito%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx\" rel=\"themeData\"><link href=\"file:\/\/\/C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cncaito%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml\" rel=\"colorSchemeMapping\">\n<object id=\"ieooui\" classid=\"clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D\"><\/object><\/p>\n<style>\nst1\\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }\n<\/style>\n<style>\n<!--\n \/* Font Definitions *\/\n @font-face\n\t{font-family:\"Cambria Math\";\n\tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;\n\tmso-font-charset:1;\n\tmso-generic-font-family:roman;\n\tmso-font-format:other;\n\tmso-font-pitch:variable;\n\tmso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;}\n \/* Style Definitions *\/\n p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal\n\t{mso-style-unhide:no;\n\tmso-style-qformat:yes;\n\tmso-style-parent:\"\";\n\tmargin:0in;\n\tmargin-bottom:.0001pt;\n\tmso-pagination:widow-orphan;\n\tfont-size:10.0pt;\n\tfont-family:\"Times New Roman\",\"serif\";\n\tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\";}\np.MsoHeader, li.MsoHeader, div.MsoHeader\n\t{mso-style-unhide:no;\n\tmso-style-link:\"Header Char\";\n\tmargin:0in;\n\tmargin-bottom:.0001pt;\n\tmso-pagination:widow-orphan;\n\ttab-stops:center 3.0in right 6.0in;\n\tfont-size:10.0pt;\n\tfont-family:\"Times New Roman\",\"serif\";\n\tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\";}\np.MsoFooter, li.MsoFooter, div.MsoFooter\n\t{mso-style-unhide:no;\n\tmso-style-link:\"Footer Char\";\n\tmargin:0in;\n\tmargin-bottom:.0001pt;\n\tmso-pagination:widow-orphan;\n\ttab-stops:center 3.0in right 6.0in;\n\tfont-size:10.0pt;\n\tfont-family:\"Times New Roman\",\"serif\";\n\tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\";}\nspan.HeaderChar\n\t{mso-style-name:\"Header Char\";\n\tmso-style-unhide:no;\n\tmso-style-locked:yes;\n\tmso-style-link:Header;}\nspan.FooterChar\n\t{mso-style-name:\"Footer Char\";\n\tmso-style-unhide:no;\n\tmso-style-locked:yes;\n\tmso-style-link:Footer;}\n.MsoChpDefault\n\t{mso-style-type:export-only;\n\tmso-default-props:yes;\n\tfont-size:10.0pt;\n\tmso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;\n\tmso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}\n@page Section1\n\t{size:8.5in 11.0in;\n\tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;\n\tmso-header-margin:.5in;\n\tmso-footer-margin:.5in;\n\tmso-paper-source:0;}\ndiv.Section1\n\t{page:Section1;}\n-->\n<\/style>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"TEXT-ALIGN: center\" align=\"center\"><b><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 18pt\">State of the State<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"TEXT-ALIGN: center\" align=\"center\"><st1:date w:st=\"on\" ls=\"trans\" month=\"2\" day=\"3\" year=\"2010\"><b><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 18pt\">February 3, 2010<\/span><\/b><\/st1:date><b><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 18pt\"><o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"TEXT-ALIGN: center\" align=\"center\"><b><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 14pt\">By Governor M. Jodi Rell<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"TEXT-ALIGN: center\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"TEXT-ALIGN: center\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\">Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Williams, members and guests:<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\">We gather today to mark the opening of the 2010 legislative session and we do so at a time of continued challenge, continued anxiety.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\">None of us need to be reminded of the unparalleled struggles that we have endured over the last 22 months. Our nation has been in the grip of an economic crisis unlike any witnessed in generations.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\">The stark reality of our struggles is all too real. Housing prices are down; unemployment is up. The value of savings and retirement accounts are down; mortgage foreclosures are up. The amount of debt at all levels of government is up.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\">Yes, the statistics are real &#8211; and our emotions are raw. People are uncertain about the future. They are frustrated and angry about the present. <i>And they have every right to be<\/i>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\">The people of <st1:state w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Connecticut<\/st1:place><\/st1:state> are looking to us to help them. They are looking to us to lead. They are looking to us to right our ship of state.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\">They don&#8217;t want to hear shallow lamentations of sympathy or understanding from their elected officials. They want action and assistance. And they want an end to the theatrical histrionics of political press conferences and partisan pinball. They want us to act like adults.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous\"><o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">President<br \/>\nObama spoke eloquently about this last week in his State of the Union address.<br \/>\nHe spoke of the nature and nastiness of politics in our nation&#8217;s capital.<br \/>\nFrankly, he could have been speaking of our own State Capitol here in <st1:city w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Hartford<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">I<br \/>\nwill echo his sentiment and be a bit more blunt: We need to stop the<br \/>\ngame-playing and name-calling and constant bickering that has come to consume<br \/>\ntoo many at the Capitol.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">There<br \/>\nis no room for such pettiness on the playground; there certainly shouldn&#8217;t be<br \/>\nin the Legislature, the Governor&#8217;s Office or the courts either.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">None<br \/>\nof us are blameless in this regard. All of us must accept our responsibilities<br \/>\nto treat one another with respect and to listen, truly listen, to those whose<br \/>\nviews or proposals or policies may differ from our own.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">In<br \/>\nthe end we may not agree with one another, but we should respect one another.<br \/>\nWe need not speak glowingly of each other or of each other&#8217;s ideas, but we must<br \/>\nspeak civilly. Let us replace acrimony with accommodation; let us set aside the<br \/>\ndifficulties and divisions of the last year and commit ourselves, truly commit<br \/>\nourselves, to working with one another.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">For<br \/>\nwe have much to do &#8211; and our work begins in earnest today.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Thousands<br \/>\nof trees will be felled for the hundreds of bills that will be filed on dozens<br \/>\nof topics. But our efforts, our energies, this session should be focused on<br \/>\njust two core issues: creating jobs and balancing our state budget.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Too<br \/>\nmany people have lost their jobs and a lost job means a lost paycheck, lost<br \/>\nsecurity, lost dignity and lost hope for the future. Families across our state<br \/>\nare hurting and suffering and struggling.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We<br \/>\nneed to get to work to put the people of <st1:state w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Connecticut<\/st1:place><\/st1:state><br \/>\nback to work.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Today<br \/>\nI am announcing new proposals that will allow us to spur job creation now and<br \/>\nchart a course of economic vitality and growth for years to come.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">The<br \/>\nmost critical problem facing businesses today, particularly the small and<br \/>\nmedium businesses that are our main engines of growth, is credit availability.<br \/>\nEmployers need loans and financing to buy equipment and inventory, expand space<br \/>\nor just to meet daily cash flow demands.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">As we<br \/>\nall know, the credit crunch has crippled a great many employers. Financing that<br \/>\nwas readily available in years past is difficult, if not impossible, to find.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">This<br \/>\nis a national problem, but we need to find a <st1:state w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Connecticut<\/st1:place><\/st1:state> solution to it.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">I am<br \/>\ncalling for the creation of the new Connecticut Credit Consortium &#8211; a $500<br \/>\nmillion partnership between the state and <st1:state w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Connecticut<\/st1:place><\/st1:state> banks to substantially boost<br \/>\ncredit availability.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">I<br \/>\npropose canceling $100 million in old bond authorizations and instead using the<br \/>\nfunds for the Consortium. Our $100 million dollars will leverage at least $400<br \/>\nmillion dollars from banks all across our state.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">That&#8217;s<br \/>\n$500 million that will immediately be put to work to help businesses save and<br \/>\ncreate jobs. And here&#8217;s one key provision: $25 million of the state&#8217;s $100<br \/>\nmillion will be targeted strictly for small businesses for micro- or small<br \/>\nloans.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">As I<br \/>\nhave said before, small businesses are the chief job creators. That is not in<br \/>\ndispute. And neither is their need for credit. Their lifeline is credit &#8211; and<br \/>\nthat lifeline has been cut off.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Work<br \/>\nwith me to open up that lifeline to create jobs and pass into law the<br \/>\nConnecticut Credit Consortium.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">I<br \/>\nalso ask you to help in passing other proposals I am offering to reinvigorate<br \/>\nour economy and create jobs.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">The<br \/>\nfirst one modifies the relatively new but little-used job creation tax credit.<br \/>\nIt was aimed at large corporations, but they are not availing themselves of it.<br \/>\nSo I am proposing that we change it to benefit small businesses with 25 or<br \/>\nfewer employees.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Because<br \/>\nmost small business are limited liability corporations &#8211; LLCs &#8211; and S corps, we<br \/>\nwill, under my proposal, allow for the first time a credit against an<br \/>\nemployer&#8217;s personal income tax liability. The credit will be for $2,500 per<br \/>\nyear for three years for each new job created. Ten million dollars is already<br \/>\nin the budget for this proposal &#8211; and up to 4,000 new jobs could be created<br \/>\nthis year alone.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">One<br \/>\narea where we see a large number of new start-ups of small businesses is in<br \/>\ngreen technology and clean, renewable energy. Kermit the Frog had it wrong all<br \/>\nthese years, I&#8217;m afraid. It <i style=\"\">is<\/i> easy<br \/>\nto be green. Solar, fuel cells, wind turbines and geothermal &#8211; all hold the<br \/>\nkeys to economic and energy prosperity.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">That<br \/>\nis why I am proposing that we expand our sales tax exemption to include<br \/>\nmachines, equipment, tools, materials, supplies and fuels used in renewable<br \/>\nenergy and green technology.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">This<br \/>\nis in addition to the work of my Electric Vehicle Council that is preparing the<br \/>\nway for green business opportunities for the arrival of zero-emission, electric<br \/>\nvehicles.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">And<br \/>\nthere&#8217;s one more component we still need to address &#8211; and it&#8217;s a critically<br \/>\nimportant component: our work force.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We<br \/>\nare recognized around the nation for the high quality and talent of our work<br \/>\nforce. The best and brightest are found right here in <st1:state w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Connecticut<\/st1:place><\/st1:state>. But we need to do more to keep<br \/>\nthem here.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We<br \/>\nwant our children to be educated here and start their work life here and then<br \/>\nraise their own families here.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">And<br \/>\nour companies will only succeed if they have the qualified, trained employees<br \/>\nthey need. That is why I am proposing a new loan forgiveness program for<br \/>\nstudents who stay and work in <st1:state w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Connecticut<\/st1:place><\/st1:state><br \/>\nafter they graduate from college with a degree or certificate in green<br \/>\ntechnology, renewable energy, life sciences or health information technology.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">They<br \/>\nwill receive a $2,500 annual forgiveness for each of four years if they have a<br \/>\nbaccalaureate or higher degree or $2,500 a year for two years with an associate<br \/>\ndegree.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Join<br \/>\nme into making this loan forgiveness program a reality.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">And<br \/>\nthere&#8217;s something we can do &#8211; must do &#8211; for all businesses and for all of our<br \/>\ncitizens: bring certainty and sanity to our state&#8217;s fiscal situation.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">The<br \/>\nprotracted discussions and negotiations, along with the fevered partisan debate<br \/>\nthat characterized last year&#8217;s budget, cannot be repeated. It was hardly state<br \/>\ngovernment&#8217;s finest moment.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Today<br \/>\nmarks a new session, a new start and a new effort to work together to honestly<br \/>\nconfront the undeniable realities of shrinking revenues and ever-rising costs.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">A<br \/>\nlittle more than seven months into a two-year budget and we are already facing<br \/>\na $500 million dollar plus deficit. A deficit due in large part to drastic<br \/>\nreductions in the collection of the income tax and sales tax. Why? Because if<br \/>\nyou do not have a job you do not have any income on which to pay tax and you<br \/>\nhave no money to spend on items that carry a sales tax. We have 94,000 people<br \/>\nin this state who have lost their jobs since the recession began in March, 2008<br \/>\n&#8211; <i style=\"\">94,000<\/i>.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">The<br \/>\nrecovery will be long and painfully slow and there will be a &#8220;new normal&#8221; when<br \/>\nit does take full effect.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We in<br \/>\nstate government need a &#8220;new normal&#8221; as well. Because we have a state<br \/>\ngovernment that has outgrown the ability of our citizens to pay for it.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We<br \/>\nneed to recognize that not every service, not every program, not every function<br \/>\nis absolutely essential. We need to acknowledge that higher taxes are not the<br \/>\nsolution to our problems.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">It&#8217;s<br \/>\ncommon sense: The taxes we already have on our books are not bringing in the<br \/>\nrevenue we thought they would, so why would new and higher taxes be the answer?<br \/>\nThey&#8217;re not.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">So I<br \/>\nsay no. No on behalf of the 94,000 people who have lost their jobs. No, on<br \/>\nbehalf of the businesses that are struggling to keep their doors open. No, on<br \/>\nbehalf of all the families who struggle to make ends meet day in and day out.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We do<br \/>\nneed to say yes to some basic structural reforms, however.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">People<br \/>\nlook at <st1:state w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Washington<\/st1:place><\/st1:state><br \/>\nand the spending spree they have been on of late. They see weekly stories about<br \/>\nborrowing a few hundred billion for this, a few hundred billion for that &#8230; and<br \/>\nthey react with horror. They worry about the bill that will be handed to their<br \/>\nchildren and grandchildren for all that borrowing.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We<br \/>\nhave our own concerns here in <st1:state w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Connecticut<\/st1:place><\/st1:state>,<br \/>\nsince we have one of the highest debt rates in the country. That&#8217;s why it is so<br \/>\ncritical that we tackle this year&#8217;s deficit head-on and honestly deal with it,<br \/>\nnot borrow to cover it.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">I am<br \/>\nproposing that we put into place a new protection: Any bond authorization that<br \/>\nhas been on the books for five years or more without being allocated by the<br \/>\nState Bond Commission will automatically be canceled.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We<br \/>\nhave billions and billions of dollars of bonds that have been authorized by the<br \/>\nLegislature over the years. Some are for worthwhile statewide needs; many are<br \/>\nnot. But all could bankrupt us and all are counted by credit rating agencies as<br \/>\nliabilities.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">If a<br \/>\nproject is not worthy enough to be approved after five or more years then we<br \/>\nprobably shouldn&#8217;t bond for it and pay 20 years of interest on it.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">And<br \/>\nthere is another financial Sword of Damocles hanging over the state&#8217;s head that<br \/>\nwe literally can no longer afford to ignore: our unfunded state employee<br \/>\npension liabilities and unfunded retiree health care costs.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">The<br \/>\ntab for our unfunded pension liabilities is a staggering $9.3 billion. The<br \/>\nprice tag for health care benefits for retired state employees is an almost<br \/>\nincomprehensible $24.6 billion.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">This<br \/>\nmounting debt has been virtually ignored for decades. Ignorance may be bliss,<br \/>\naccording to the old adage, but that bliss carries a price &#8211; too high a price.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">For<br \/>\nthat reason I am establishing a working group, with representatives from the<br \/>\nTreasurer&#8217;s and Comptroller&#8217;s Offices, OPM, SEBAC, accountants, actuaries and<br \/>\nothers, to propose short and long term plans for addressing our unfunded<br \/>\nliabilities. Their first report will be due by July 1.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">I am<br \/>\nalso offering a proposal today that contains an automatic requirement that half<br \/>\nof any budget surplus declared by the Comptroller in her January or May report<br \/>\nbe automatically deposited into the state&#8217;s Rainy Day Fund.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">When<br \/>\nI was sworn in as Governor on <st1:date year=\"2004\" day=\"1\" month=\"7\" ls=\"trans\" w:st=\"on\">July 1, 2004<\/st1:date>, our Rainy Day Fund had a zero balance. <i style=\"\">Zero<\/i>. I made it a priority to restore<br \/>\nthe fund, the state&#8217;s nest egg, and working with you, it was filled to its<br \/>\nlargest balance ever by 2008 &#8211; nearly $1.4 billion. I am proud of that effort.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">And<br \/>\nit&#8217;s a good thing that we took that action because we are now in the midst of<br \/>\nour &#8220;Rainy Day&#8221; &#8211; we&#8217;re using all of the Fund&#8217;s assets this year and next to<br \/>\nbalance our state budget.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">But<br \/>\nthe Rainy Day Fund is a tempting, too tempting, target.&nbsp; There is never a<br \/>\nshortage of people who enjoy spending money and never a dearth of people who<br \/>\nare asking for it.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Each<br \/>\ndollar of surplus spent is one dollar less that can go into the Rainy Day Fund.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">So,<br \/>\nlet&#8217;s reduce temptation and ensure that half of any surplus declared in January<br \/>\nor May be automatically deposited into the Fund. No diversions. No<br \/>\nshort-sighted thinking. No excuses.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We<br \/>\nneed to pass these proposals and to act now &#8211; because the outlook for the<br \/>\nfuture is fiscally challenging, to say the least. Early revenue shortfall<br \/>\nprojections for the out years are in the billions of dollars.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">The<br \/>\nRainy Day Fund will be empty. Federal stimulus grants will be gone. All our<br \/>\noutside funds will have been swept. And yet employee, insurance, heating, fuel<br \/>\nand other costs will continue to increase appreciably. Quite frankly, the dire<br \/>\ncircumstances we are facing today will pale in comparison to the challenges<br \/>\nthat will face the next Governor, the next Legislature.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Every<br \/>\naction that we take this year, to finally get state spending under control will<br \/>\nease the budget pain that all will be feeling for the next few years.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">So<br \/>\nlet me be clear about this: I intend to do everything in my power in my<br \/>\nremaining months in office to make the changes that are needed to break<br \/>\ninsatiable spending habits and to make state government affordable once again.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">It<br \/>\nwould not be fair to my successor &#8211; or yours &#8211; to simply ignore the fiscal<br \/>\nproblems that we have today and that we all know lie just ahead.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We<br \/>\nmust deal with our current problems this session and develop a plan of action<br \/>\nfor new leadership next session.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">So<br \/>\ntoday I am proposing something rather unique &#8211; and rather necessary. Something<br \/>\nthat will build upon the important work begun by my Administration and the<br \/>\nLegislature in streamlining state government.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">I am<br \/>\ncalling for the establishment of a 24-member commission to examine our<br \/>\ngovernment, top to bottom, to achieve efficiencies, eliminate redundancies and<br \/>\nwaste and reduce the size and cost of state government.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Every<br \/>\ninstitution, every structure, service, program and delivery mechanism will be<br \/>\nevaluated. And it will be done in a non-partisan manner by all 3 branches of<br \/>\ngovernment. Six members will be appointed by me to represent the Executive<br \/>\nBranch. Six will be appointed by the Chief Justice to represent the Judicial<br \/>\nBranch, and six each will be appointed by the Democratic and Republican<br \/>\nleadership of the Legislature. There will be three chairs, one from each branch<br \/>\nof government.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">The<br \/>\ncommission will have until August 30 to conduct their work, the nature of which<br \/>\nis clearly spelled out in my legislation. It includes: agency mergers or<br \/>\neliminations; administrative overhead; outdated functions or services and<br \/>\nbetter utilization of information technology. That&#8217;s step one.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Step<br \/>\ntwo is a separate, four-person board which is established on September 1. So as<br \/>\nto take the politics out of the equation, all branches and both sides of the<br \/>\npolitical aisle are again equally represented.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">They<br \/>\nwill review the work and recommendations of the commission. They will also hold<br \/>\nhearings and automatically accept those recommendations unless 3 out of 4<br \/>\nmembers vote to amend or reject any specific recommendation. Their work must be<br \/>\nconcluded by December 1.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Those<br \/>\nrecommendations that are administrative in nature will be implemented by the<br \/>\nGovernor or Chief Justice, as appropriate. The Legislature will have 45 days<br \/>\nonce the regular session starts next January to vote on the final<br \/>\nrecommendations &#8211; without amendment.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">And<br \/>\nevery step taken will be done in open session, with all documents, phone calls,<br \/>\nmeeting notes and correspondence open for public inspection. The timeline is<br \/>\ntight because we want the recommendations ready for the next Governor, the next<br \/>\nLegislature.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">They<br \/>\nwill need the recommendations to grapple with the great fiscal challenges we<br \/>\nwill face. We owe it to them &#8211; and to those who pay for our government &#8211; our<br \/>\ntaxpayers &#8211; and those who are served by our government. Let the creation of<br \/>\nthis commission be one of the first bills you act upon so that its work can<br \/>\nbegin immediately.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">And<br \/>\nact quickly to fix and preserve the public financing law that so many of us<br \/>\nchampioned and that takes special interest money out of campaigns. Dozens and<br \/>\ndozens of candidates are running right now under one set of rules. It is very<br \/>\nlikely they may find themselves running under another set if we lose our court<br \/>\nappeal.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Don&#8217;t<br \/>\nlet us return to the ways of the past. We have cleaned up government and we<br \/>\nhave cleaned up campaigns. Help me keep them clean. Act. Lead.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">I&#8217;m<br \/>\nnot scolding. I&#8217;m not lecturing. I&#8217;m beseeching you: Act. Lead. On campaign<br \/>\nfinance reform, job creation and balancing the state budget.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Those<br \/>\nare the areas I have focused on and most of my proposals are paid for with<br \/>\nexisting funds. This is not the year for a panoply of expensive new proposals<br \/>\non a wide range of issues. We cannot afford them and the public is not crying<br \/>\nout for them.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">They<br \/>\nwant us to fix our economy, fix our state budget, jumpstart job creation and<br \/>\nthen stay out of their pockets as they start earning paychecks again. And they<br \/>\nwant us to do this while engaging, not fighting, one another.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">It&#8217;s<br \/>\nnot too much for them to ask. They put their trust in us &#8211; their public trust<br \/>\nby electing us to office.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">I am<br \/>\nhonored by that trust and I am proud to be the 87<sup>th<\/sup> Governor of this<br \/>\ngreat state. I am proud of all that has been accomplished since I became<br \/>\nGovernor. Ethics and campaign finance reform. Civil unions. The Charter Oak<br \/>\nprogram for the uninsured. A new hospital at our veterans&#8217; home. New charter<br \/>\nand magnet schools. Hundreds of new and refurbished rail cars, updated rail<br \/>\nstations and new buses. <\/span><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Thousands of acres of farmland and open space preserved.<br \/>\nDozens of dairy farmers kept in business. College campuses that have been<br \/>\ntransformed. The list goes on &#8211; <span style=\"color: black;\">and it will be added<br \/>\nto before I leave office next January.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">There<br \/>\nis no time for reflection, however, for much work remains ahead, and much<br \/>\nhistory is yet to be written.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">You<br \/>\nknow, 2010 marks the 375<sup>th<\/sup> year of our great state. We are planning<br \/>\na number of festivities to celebrate all the people and events that have made <st1:state w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Connecticut<\/st1:place><\/st1:state> such a<br \/>\nspecial place.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Three<br \/>\nhundred and seventy-five years of incredible history, with remarkable people<br \/>\nand achievements.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We<br \/>\nbegin the next chapter, the next 375 years of our history, today.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">I<br \/>\nforesee a bright future for our state, but we must first meet the many<br \/>\nchallenges of today.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We<br \/>\nwill continue to lead the nation in commerce, science, education, culture and<br \/>\nso much more.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">We<br \/>\nwill rebuild our economy. We will create jobs. And we will put our state back<br \/>\non firm financial footing if we work hard and confront our problems with<br \/>\ncourage and common sense.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Our<br \/>\nfoundations are strong, our commitment resolute. The State of our State is<br \/>\nchallenged but hopeful.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Extraordinary<br \/>\ntimes call upon us to do our best. To accept challenges and triumph over them.<br \/>\nAnd triumph we shall, if we work together, with respect and civility.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">Before<br \/>\nI conclude I would ask that we keep in mind some of our state&#8217;s newest heroes &#8211;<br \/>\nthe more than 600 members of the Connecticut National Guard, who are heading to<br \/>\n<st1:country-region w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Afghanistan<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region><br \/>\nthis week, for their deployment to that dangerous country.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">They<br \/>\nare part of the largest deployment of <st1:state w:st=\"on\"><st1:place w:st=\"on\">Connecticut<\/st1:place><\/st1:state><br \/>\nsoldiers to ever serve overseas. I ask that you keep them and their families in<br \/>\nyour hearts and in your prayers.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\"><o:p>&nbsp;<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"\"><span style=\"background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-size: 12pt; color: black; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;\">I<br \/>\nthank you for the honor of serving as your Governor and I ask you to join me as<br \/>\nI say: God Bless the Great State of Connecticut.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>State of the State February 3, 2010 By Governor M. Jodi Rell &nbsp; &nbsp; Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Williams, members and guests: &nbsp; We gather today to mark the opening of the 2010 legislative session and we do so at a time of continued challenge, continued anxiety. &nbsp; None of us need to be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4003,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-271415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4003"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=271415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271415\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=271415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=271415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=271415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}