There has got to be a better way to set priorities. We have just completed another legislative session in Connecticut, another cycle in the annual ritual that leads to the political division of approximately $16 billion. Give or take.
The feeding frenzy is over now. The strong, having gorged themselves, sleep peacefully under the trees, while the weaker advocates circle to find a better position from which to attack during the next session. Yes, there are similarities to Marlin Perkins’ Wild Kingdom, if you can imagine the hard shiny floors of the Capitol and Legislative Office Building as a marble savanna.
The budget is the most important piece of legislation passed in any year, but what some groups have to do to be part of it is close to demeaning. No, it is demeaning, because it requires making a public spectacle of yourself and the cause you are fighting for.
The Instruction Book
According to the pamphlets the Capitol tour guides hand to visiting school kids, the budget follows a simple path on its way to becoming law. It is proposed by the governor, it is considered by various legislative committees, it is referred to the House and Senate where there are votes, a possible reconciliation of different bills and then it is sent back to the governor to be signed or vetoed.
The pamphlet leaves out several interim and extra legislative steps along the way, like; the deal cut in the men’s room, the deal cut over dinner or drinks, the pay back for last year’s slight, the reward for last year’s support. This is how a bill really becomes law.
The back room deals force some with legitimate budget needs to beg for their share of the pie. One way to do this is to hold a rally to demonstrate to lawmakers that you have a need that is not being met, that you speak for many beyond yourself, and if you don’t give us more money there will be a political price to pay.
This annual ritual is played out most often on the north steps of the Capitol facing Bushnell Park, where from January to June, various special interest groups gather, shout and chant in the hope they can embarrass lawmakers into supporting their cause.
According to the Office of Legislative Management, there were at least a dozen such gatherings on the north steps this year. That does not include similar rallies, news conferences and other public displays of disaffection in other parts of the Capitol building, or its grounds. Ironically this play is usually reserved for social service programs, healthcare and other heartstring issues that should require no debate.
Sound And The Fury
What is surprising is how important it is to the process. Advocates are often told directly by lawmakers, of both parties, that they “need to make more noise” if they expect to be heard. Like seals standing on their tail flippers for fish, groups march to the north steps to perform for the legislature. Mostly, they are ignored. There are no fish for these performers.
At the end of session, leaders at the Capitol blame “the other guy” for failing to deliver and urge advocates to make more noise next year. And so it begins again.
For legislators to force people to sing for their supper, as they test which way the political wind is blowing, is disgraceful. It is an embarrassing shame to see what some people are forced to do to get their share of the state funding we all provide through our taxes. The money is supposed to be used to take care of those who can’t take care of themselves – first. Song and dance should not be required.
Dean Pagani is Senior Vice President, Public Relations andPublic Affairs, for Cashman and Katz Integrated Communications in Glastonbury.
