Author: nbpoliticus

NB Politicus is a weblog featuring news and commentary on politics, government and community life in New Britain, CT. John McNamara - Editor and Writer

Building Commission Update: A Phony Price Tag For Access To Code Violators

Once upon a time municipal government in New Britain had a Building Commission – a five-member body that oversaw code enforcement, permits and reviewed variance requests. Every month appointed citizens reviewed inspections, monitored activities and made requests of inspectors if they knew of any code problems.For safe housing advocates the building enforcement has been made … Continue reading Building Commission Update: A Phony Price Tag For Access To Code Violators

Bush Visit At Taxpayer Expense Raises Big Bucks For Murphy Challenger

President Bush's visit to Connecticut and the 5th Congressional District on Friday raised as much as $700K, according to press reports . Much of the money is supposed to benefit the presumptive opponent of first-term U.S. Rep Chris Murphy, State Senator David Cappiello.Bush used a Hartford speech on malaria-fighting efforts to underwrite an obviously partisan … Continue reading Bush Visit At Taxpayer Expense Raises Big Bucks For Murphy Challenger

Revaluation Makes Tax Increase Inevitable According to the Mayor

A $219.5 million municipal budget was submitted to the City Council last week that will bring a tax increase to residential owners because of state-mandated revaluation, Mayor Timothy Stewart and most city officials say. According to published reports a tax rate of 34.98 ($34.98 per $1,000 valuation) will take effect July 1 if the budget … Continue reading Revaluation Makes Tax Increase Inevitable According to the Mayor

Mayor, Council At Odds Over FOI Again

Any person denied the right to inspect or copy records under section 1-210 or wrongfully denied the right to attend any meeting of a public agency or denied any other right conferred by the Freedom of Information Act may appeal therefrom to the Freedom of Information Commission, by filing a notice of appeal with said … Continue reading Mayor, Council At Odds Over FOI Again

Foreign Intelligence, Telecom Immunity Evokes Same Old Fear Mongering Against Cong. Murphy

Criticism over a U.S. House debate on a Foreign Intelligence Security Act (FISA) re authorization by Rep. Chris Murphy's prospective Republican opponent shows the GOP is turning early to divisive fear tactics on issues of national security and fighting terrorism in 2008.Danbury GOP State Senator David Capiello, in a statement appearing in a New Britain … Continue reading Foreign Intelligence, Telecom Immunity Evokes Same Old Fear Mongering Against Cong. Murphy

One Way To Promote Job Growth and Stability: Eliminate Tuition At State’s Public Colleges

The earning power of college graduates versus those whose highest attainment is a high school diploma favors the former by a wide margin. In central Connecticut, it doesn't really matter anymore if you want a job as an analyst at an insurance company or fill out an application at a small manufacturer to build parts … Continue reading One Way To Promote Job Growth and Stability: Eliminate Tuition At State’s Public Colleges

A Brief History of Delegates And Super Delegates

The origins of pledged delegates chosen in caucuses and primaries and "super delegates" are getting much more scrutiny with no resolution in the Clinton versus Obama race. That was the case at the Feb. 21st New Britain Democratic Town Committee meeting. DTC member Butch Wierbicki, a United Auto Workers retiree, asked with a tone of … Continue reading A Brief History of Delegates And Super Delegates

New Year Finally Brings Dramatic Change To Financing of Campaigns

A system of public financing of political campaigns will bring dramatic change to many state House and Senate races in 2008. While the full impact will not be felt until 2010 when races for Governor and statewide offices will occur, the law’s intent is to begin to restrict the corrosive influence of money in politics … Continue reading New Year Finally Brings Dramatic Change To Financing of Campaigns

Downtown’s Future: A Place To Live Within Walking Distance of Public Transit

Downtown New Britain is no longer a "downtown," if that word means anything. But if it's no longer the city's commercial or business center, then what is it?from NBBlogsThe revitalization of downtown New Britain was not much of an issue during the 2007 municipal campaign. The welcome news of Carvel Corporation's move to the long … Continue reading Downtown’s Future: A Place To Live Within Walking Distance of Public Transit