For a deeply blue state, rich in democratic traditions and good-government rhetoric, we sure can look like a banana republic.
The issue is transparency and it starts with communication.
Last year, the closing days of the legislative session were consumed with confusion over an omnibus energy bill that nobody had seen, much less read. This year, it’s the rushed Bioscience Connecticut scheme and the lingering questions about the state budget that has passed but hasn’t yet balanced.
‘No matter. Pass it anyway and we’ll sort it out later’ seems the prevailing sentiment.
Compounding the silliness is a new dustup over downgrading independent campaign oversight and lingering questions about access to transitional emails and even the printing of legislative bills.
The common trait tying all of these actions together is a disdain for the public, the voters. Discourse, oversight, public review are all good. Debate raises questions and often provides better solutions through added perspective.
That just isn’t the way of Connecticut government today.
It wouldn’t be wholly fair to paint a conspiracy here. Yes, we now live in a state of one-party rule and all of these hijinks assume that the will of the majority party is unquestioned.
We’re more inclined to believe it’s a matter of arrogance. The elected class shows such distain for the public because it is convinced it knows best and its motives are pure.
Not so fast. We like the language embodied in the preamble to the now 35-year-old Freedom of Information Act:
“The legislature finds and declares that secrecy in government is inherently inconsistent with a true democracy, that the people have a right to be fully informed of the action taken by public agencies in order that they may retain control over the instruments they have created; that the people do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them; that the people in delegating authority do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for them to know….”
That’s every bit as true today as when it was written. And it would be a grand summer exercise for legislators to take that act with them for a close read during their vacation.
Come back refreshed and let’s try it all again next year. And maybe this time, we can let some sunlight in on the process.
Changing role
One of the most common complaints about U.S. senators is that they go off to Washington, D.C., and lose touch with their constituents.
Richard Blumenthal seems determined to make sure he doesn’t fall into that trap. That’s good. Up to a point.
The junior senator has been front and center at parades and rallies, galas and plant tours. His PR machine continues its barrage of statements on a host of topics, often showing the same energy — and yes, belligerence — he showed as state attorney general.
But that’s not what Blumenthal was elected to do.
It’s time to stop running, Dick. You won the job. You’re good for five for years. Now go to Washington and do the job you wanted so badly. George Jepsen has your old job covered.
What Connecticut needs is a powerful voice on the federal level. Senators are supposed to be the big picture, deep thinkers. They leave the mechanics to others. They’re collegial, not fractious. OK, so Joe Lieberman may not be a great role model there, but that’s no excuse for you.
Go immerse yourself in the national scene and become a player on a larger stage than the one available at a Litchfield parade. Invest a little more time in developing new alliances and new skills.
It’s what Connecticut needs and it’s what voters elected you to do.
