Newsroom - 2009

December 8, 2009

LATINO LAWMAKERS UPSET OVER GOV’S PROPOSED CUTS

Christine Stuart photo
Rep. Andres Ayala and Rep. Minnie Gonzalez

by Christine Stuart

The nurses aren’t the only ones upset about Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s proposed budget cuts. A group of Latino legislators also expressed their disappointment Tuesday over what they say is a 25 percent budget cut to nonprofits that serve the Hispanic community.

Rep. Andres Ayala, D-Bridgeport, said the community nonprofits don’t get a huge portion of the budget in the first place, and to cut them an additional 25 percent is devastating.
The 25 percent cut is about the equivalent of about $1 million, Ayala said.

Rep. Minnie Gonzalez, D-Hartford, said maybe Rell’s goal is to close all the Latino agencies. She said there has to be a better approach to balancing the state budget.

George Cruz, executive director of the San Juan Center in Hartford, said these cuts will put a lot kids on the street. The center offers youth programs including boxing and educational activities.

“We try to save lives,” Cruz said. “How many lives is she going to stop us from saving?”
Majority Leader Denise Merrill, D-Mansfield, said Democratic leadership in the House agrees these cuts are “completely unthinkable.”

“The caucus feels strongly that these are cuts we should not make,” Merrill said.

However, it’s still unclear if the legislature will return to the Capitol Dec. 15 with a counter proposal.

The House Democratic caucus will gather on Dec. 14 to discuss whether to return and address the budget deficit.

Meanwhile, the legislature’s Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday, Dec. 9, to talk about Rell’s proposal and its $337 million in cuts.

December 8, 2009

LATINO LAWMAKERS OPPOSE RELL'S PROPOSED FUNDING CUTS
Lawmakers fight Rell's plan for cutting deficit

By Ken Dixon
STAFF WRITER

HARTFORD -- Latino lawmakers on Tuesday criticized Gov. M. Jodi Rell for proposing a 25 percent cut to important programs that help the minority group.

Led by Rep. Andres Ayala Jr., D-Bridgeport, the group said that Rell's proposed $1 million reduction would affect youth and prenatal programs run by nonprofit groups that assist thousands of Connecticut residents.

During a news conference in the Capitol complex, House Majority Leader Denise W. Merrill, D-Mansfield, said she and other majority leaders will not support Rell's proposal when the General Assembly meets Dec. 15 to debate funding a deficit estimated at more than $440 million in the current two-year budget.

"Unfortunately, we're dealing with the reality of a state budget that is constantly shrinking," Ayala said. "A state budget that, instead of looking to make additions to, we're making subtractions to."

Adam Liegeot, the governor's Capitol spokesman, said Tuesday that Connecticut is facing some hard choices. "The governor doesn't want to cut funding for any program, but the state faces a $444 million budget deficit," he said. "If the advocates of these programs have any alternative spending cut proposals, we will be happy to review them."

Ayala said that in the two-year $37.6 billion budget, $1 million can be easily saved through "better efficiencies in government." He's aware of the tough decisions facing the Legislature, but current funding for Latino-based programming less than 1 percent of the state budget.

"Now, when times are bad, that less than 1 percent is even more striking," he said. "It is mind-boggling. To be quite honest, it would be devastating."

Merrill said the funding is "critical" to Hispanics.

"I think sometimes the public thinks there are these cuts to things that we can make out there that aren't going to affect anyone," she said. "We've spent years nurturing some of these nonprofit agencies, particularly those that work in the cities, in these communities that do some of the most critical services in the state."

She said they deliver the service at low cost to those who need it the most. "To make a 25 percent cut to these kinds of services, where we have already cut to the bone, is just completely unthinkable, to my view. I know many people in my caucus feel the same way."

Merrill said that while the entire state economy is fragile, the recession is hitting minority communities harder than most. "We cannot simply abandon them," Merrill said.

Carmen Sierra, executive director of CAUSA, the nonprofit Connecticut Association for United Spanish Action, said her 14-member organization, with offices throughout the state, including youth centers and community action groups, is already running budget deficits while trying to maintain services.

"We can't afford these cuts," Sierra said, charging that if the governor went into the communities, she would see the important work being done. "If they continue cutting the youth program, we're going to have more crime."

Statewide, according to the 2008 population estimate of the U.S. Census, 12 percent of the state's 3.5 million people are Latino or Hispanic.

"We're the largest minority group in the state of Connecticut," Ayala said. "Latinos contribute to the welfare of this state. They work hard, they contribute in income tax, they contribute in sales tax."

December 8, 2009 

LAWMAKERS & COMMUNITY LEADERS
OPPOSE MORE PROPOSED CUTS TO LATINO AGENCIES

Latino Legislators led by State Representative Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) together with a group of leaders from Hispanic agencies hosted a press conference today  to oppose a plan by Governor M. Jodi Rell  to cut funding to Latino community based organizations by 25%  under her newest deficit mitigation package.

The group said the proposed plan would make it impossible for Hispanic agencies to provide services.

“I am well aware of the challenges we face in dealing with the state deficit. However, I can not keep silent when I see that once again the Latino community is pushed aside without a second thought when the governor put her plan together,” Ayala said. “We have been saying all along that the less than 1% funding we get from the state budget isn’t enough. Imagine now, what we face with a proposed cut of 25% from the extremely lean budget we have to begin with.”

The group originally held what was called the first Latino Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in March to create awareness and denounce the lack of funding to Latino based community organizations. The effort was the result of a series of meetings held between state legislators, community service agencies, small business owners and the Hispanic media who were looking for alternatives to the existing lack of resources within the Latino community. 

“It seems that every time the economy is in trouble the first cuts that are proposed and made are to those most negatively impacted,” Rep. Minnie Gonzalez (D-Hartford) said. “The proposed plan would tie the hands of Hispanic agencies that provide services to the most vulnerable communities.”

Rep. Hector Robles (D-Hartford) stated, “I have witnessed the long lines of people waiting to get assistance such as Food Stamps and other types of relief these last few days in Hartford’s social service agencies. This is the season of sharing and caring, but clearly, the governor’s latest mitigation plan does not reflect the spirit of the holidays.”

May 27, 2009

REPRESENTATIVES APPLAUD SUPREME COURT JUSTICE APPOINTMENT

State Representative Kelvin Roldan (D-Hartford), Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) and William Tong (D-Stamford) are pleased that President Barack Obama appointed Federal Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor to become the nation’s first Hispanic Supreme Court justice.

“President Obama has proven once again that he is working toward an inclusive government with faces that reflect the vibrant diversity of our country,” Rep. Roldan said. “We have cleared another hurdle and achieved a milestone with this appointment.  I am sure Judge Sotomayor has much to contribute and will bring a new a perspective to the bench.”

“As with the first appointment of an African-American to the Supreme Court by President Johnson in 1967, Judge Sotomayor’s appointment will have a profound historic significance for our nation and our people,” Rep. Ayala said.  "I am pleased that President Obama has chosen to replace Justice Souter with an appointment which represents two constituencies which have traditionally been under represented."

"This is a proud moment for us all.  By nominating Judge Sotomayor, the President has named one of the brightest and most capable legal minds in the nation, and has given the American people a Justice who has a deeply personal and continuing relationship with the challenges we face in our every day lives,” Rep. Tong said.

Judge Sotomayor now goes to the Senate for confirmation. If approved, she would become the third woman in history to be appointed to the Supreme Court. She would succeed retiring Justice David Souter.  

May 6, 2009

REP. AYALA APPOINTED TO NATIONAL COMMITTEE
POST BY HOUSE SPEAKER DONOVAN

State Representative Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) has been appointed by House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) to serve on the Council of State Government (CSG) Eastern Regional Conference’s Transportation Committee for 2009-2010.

“I would like to thank Speaker Donovan for appointing me to serve on this committee,” Ayala said. “I am looking forward to being on hand to work with my colleagues across the region to explore new ideas, concepts and alternatives that would help our transportation initiatives in the state.”

The Council of State Government is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky and helps state governments increase efficiency by identifying the best new and creative approaches to significant state problems.

The Transportation Program works with state officials from the 15 ERC member jurisdictions to provide a safe, healthy and efficient transportation system essential to the social and economic life of the Northeast.

“I am confident that Andres will work successfully with other state leaders to put the best ideas and solutions into practice,” Speaker Donovan said.

Representative Ayala represents Bridgeport’s 128th Assembly District. He is Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee and a member of the Planning and Development and Public Health Committees.

May 1, 2009

REP. AYALA HAILS HOUSE PASSAGE OF INSURANCE BILL TO BENEFIT STEPCHILDREN

State Representative Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) announced that legislation to require individual and group health insurance policies to cover stepchildren on the same basis as biological children passed the House of Representatives (House Bill 5433).

The bill also makes the law that establishes requirements for coverage of children under an individual health insurance policy apply to a policy continued in Connecticut. The law already applies to group comprehensive health care plans and individual health insurance policies delivered, issued, amended, or renewed in Connecticut that cover:

• Basic hospital expenses

• Basic medical-surgical expenses

• Major medical expenses

• Limited benefits

• Accidents only

• Hospital or medical services, including coverage under an HMO plan.

“There are many people who contacted me on this issue where married couples were not allowed to include stepchildren in their insurance plans,” Ayala said. “I am pleased to see this important piece of legislation moving forward. There is nothing more important to families, than having peace of mind when it comes to healthcare. This legislation helps stepchildren with that.”

The bill was initially introduced by Ayala, and later adopted by the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, where it was re-introduced as a committee bill.

Representative Ayala was first elected in 2006 and represents the 128th Assembly District.  He is Vice-Chair of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee and a member of the Planning and Development and Public Health Committees.

February 24, 2009

THROW THE BUMS OUT!
Rep. Andres Ayala of Bridgeport takes another run at passing a bill
that would allow citizens to recall town officials

By Daniel D'Ambrosio
Hartford Advocate

Rep. Andres Ayala, a second-term state legislator from Bridgeport, wants voters to have the power to recall any elected town official who has betrayed their trust in one of several specified ways, including the rather broad transgression of "malfeasance that adversely affects the rights and interests of the public."

Ayala has a simple motivation for pushing the bill. He was on the Bridgeport City Council during the mayoral terms of both Joseph Ganim, now serving nine years in federal prison on racketeering, bribery and extortion charges; and John Fabrizi, an admitted cocaine user who probably could have survived his drug problem politically had he not also spoken out publicly in support of a man accused of twice impregnating a 13-year-old girl. This will be Ayala's second attempt at recall legislation. He introduced a similar bill two years ago during his first term as a representative, but it went nowhere.

Ayala remembers the frustration of Bridgeport residents embarrassed by the antics of two successive mayors, and the inability of the city council to do anything about it. Ganim remained as mayor during his two-month trial, and Fabrizi only dropped his run for a second term after it became clear he didn't have the support of the Democratic town committee.

"During those two events in the history of the city of Bridgeport a lot of the constituents were very upset at the mayors [Ganim and Fabrizi] and they wanted something done," said Ayala. "They didn't understand how these different events happened, yet there was nothing within the city charter that could throw them out of office."

That's where House bill 5827 comes in. The bill provides for recall not only in the case of malfeasance, but also misappropriation of public property of funds, violation of the oath of office, any felony conviction, and failure to perform any duty prescribed by law.

It would only take three registered voters to begin the recall process by filing a joint affidavit with the town clerk that names the official in question, requests recall petition forms and details the alleged grounds for the recall. Then the disaffected town residents have 60 days to collect enough signatures of registered voters to force a referendum on whether to throw the elected official in question out of office.

The number of signatures required is tied to the population in order to keep the bar consistently high. On one end, the scale requires the signatures of 10 percent of registered voters in cities with populations of 100,000 or more. On the other end it requires the signatures of 30 percent of registered voters in towns with populations of less than 1,000. In Hartford it would require 10 percent of the 50,517 registered voters, or about 5,000 signatures.

Once enough signatures are collected and a referendum is set, the proposed legislation requires only a simple majority of votes to remove the targeted official from office, but the referendum is only valid if at least 25 percent of the registered voters take part. Ayala said he wanted to set the bar fairly high to preclude frivolous recalls — over the mayor's having raised taxes, for example.

"What we're talking about is when a mayor does something so heinous or outrageous it goes beyond his normal duties of running a city," said Ayala. "That's what I'm targeting. We don't want to make it easy."

In Waterbury, another Connecticut city plagued with rogue mayors, including perhaps the worst of all time — Phil Giordano, who was convicted in 2003 of having sex with two girls, ages 8 and 10 — one of the founders of the city's Independent Party, Lawrence De Pillo, is fully behind Ayala's recall effort. In fact he's been part of other efforts to institute a recall provision.

"Waterbury has been to Hartford on at least three occasions looking for the right to referendum and recall," said De Pillo. "We went before various subcommittees, but never made it onto the house floor."

Giordano, who in July, 2001, was on his cell phone arranging sex with a convicted prostitute and her daughter while watching his son's T-ball game, is serving a 37-year sentence in federal prison for his crimes. But to get him out of office a month after his arrest in 2001, the city of Waterbury had to essentially buy Giordano off, agreeing to pay him half his weekly salary of $1,600 for the balance of his term and continue his insurance benefits. In return, he agreed not to pick up where he left off as mayor if he was released on bail before his trial.

"I don't think there's any question that had there been the right to remove Mayor Philip Giordano by recalling him, that would have been done," said De Pillo. "As it was, the city had to make certain concessions to have the mayor leave and not threaten to come back with a lawsuit."

The question of when to pull the trigger on a recall is a tricky one, as overall there is supposed to be an assumption of innocence until proven guilty. Hartford City Councilman Matt Ritter is quick to make that very point with regard to Mayor Eddie Perez, who was charged last month with accepting a bribe in connection with bath and kitchen work done at his house by a city contractor.

"I think it's premature to talk about removal of someone who's been charged with crimes but not convicted," said Ritter.

Ironically, Ritter was one of three councilmen who tried and failed to remove Council President Calixto Torres because of his close ties to Perez, but Ritter said that was a leadership issue, not an issue of removal or recall. No one was proposing that Torres be kicked off the council, just that he be replaced as president by Councilman Pedro Segarra, another of the trio.

"I don't know that recall is what we need right now, I don't think it would be helpful," says Ritter.

That comes as no surprise to Clyde McKee, a professor of political science at Trinity College who is retiring this year after 44 years of teaching. McKee said the recall provision is "not a strong element in Connecticut's political culture," and he gives Ayala's bill little chance of passing.

"If you're asking me to bet on it," said McKee, "I would bet that even though there's a serious problem of metastasized corruption in this state, it won't fly."