Bitterly disappointed with the inaction of the state legislature during a special budget deficit session Tuesday, Gov. M. Jodi Rell told the Valley Chamber of Commerce today that Connecticut citizens have to get involved to get out of the financial hole.
“These are the most troubling times in the state’s history I’ve had the misfortune to be involved in,” Rell said. “Be involved in your government, call your legislators and tell them to make the tough choices,” she told the chamber during its annual holiday breakfast and awards ceremony, held at John J. Sullivan’s restaurant and caterers on Wakelee Avenue.
About 150 members of the business and civic community attended the event, where they presented Rell with the Leadership in Government Award in recognition of her years in service.
She gratefully accepted the glass decorative piece, but reminded the audience that Connecticut is difficult financial straits.
“We know how difficult times are but we need to get out of this and get out of it together,” Rell said.
She urged citizens to participate at hearings with ideas on how to save money and identify programs that can be cut.
She was particularly disappointed that lawmakers had gaveled themselves into a special session Tuesday, but almost immediately adjourned.
Some of her ideas for cutting spending, including a $10 million cut to stem cell research, were not well received by the legislature. Democrats reportedly rejected her cost-cutting plan because it would mean 5,000 jobs lost in the hospital and non-profit sectors.
Rell was not pleased.
“It was a tough day for the State of Connecticut,” she said. “I don’t see how our legislature can gavel in and gavel out without accomplishing one thing except to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. That’s a sad commentary. I’ve done my job. I’ve found cuts in state spending. It’s time for the legilsators to do their job and show why they’ve been elected.”
Paul Lamdin, president of HealthNet in Shelton, credited Rell for her performance as governor, restoring public trust to the office. He did not say so specifically, but he apparently referred to how the office had been tarnished by the scandals that swept the administration of former Gov. John Rowland.
He also thanked her for her decades of government service as a lieutenant governor and member of the state legislature.
“Governor Rell’s bold approach to state government has gone a long way to protecting families and businesses,” Lamdin said.
A number of awards were given at the breakfast event. Griffin Hospital received the Leadership in Healthcare Award and 100th anniversary salute; Perkin Elmer Life & Analyitcal Sciences received the 2009 Innovation Award; the Barnum Financial Group received the Growth Award; the Ansonia Business Council took the Small Business Collaboration Award; and the Beacon Falls Merchants Association won the Small Business Collaboration Award.
