“A major effort was made locally to reduce the cost for the much needed reconstruction of Thames Street, which convinced local voters to approve this project and helped us make the case for this significant state investment in the critical and historic infrastructure that is Thames Street,” Rep. Moukawsher stated. “I thank the Governor and the Speaker of the House for their support.”

“The approval of this funding is welcome news. It will help rebuild one of the oldest roads in Groton, improve safety, and spur investment in other improvements in the historic Groton Bank district,” State Representative Elissa Wright (D-Groton) said. “A major gateway to the city and industrial heart of the town, Thames Street brings commuters to Pfizer, Electric Boat, and the University of Connecticut at Avery Point. I want to thank House Speaker Chris Donovan and the Bond Commission for finalizing this grant.”

“While Connecticut has taken massive strides to improve water quality recently, the tide has not yet turned,” said Leah Schmalz, director of legal and legislative affairs for Save the Sound. “The number of beach closures and advisory days in Connecticut rose significantly last year and we tumbled to 24th in the nation for the number of bacteria tests exceeding national beach standards. The writing on the wall is clear: we cannot rely on the whims of weather cycles to ensure our beaches stay open, we must stay vigilant and be proactive.  If we want to enjoy our coastline, eat local seafood, and promote tourism along the shore, rain or shine, we must curb pollution at the source—investment in the state’s Clean Water Fund is solution number one.  Thankfully the Governor and General Assembly committed significant resources for the next two years, but sustained and consistent funding in years to come will decide whether the citizens of Connecticut will have the clean water they deserve."

The great majority, 66 percent, of beach closures and posted advisories reported in 2010 were due to stormwater contamination, a condition that can be mitigated through investment in sewer infrastructure upgrades and stormwater management techniques like green infrastructure and landscaping. Sewage leaks or spills, wildlife and unknown sources of contamination account for the remaining 34 percent of beach closures and advisory days.

“This report serves as a stark reminder that we must provide communities in Connecticut with the resources and tools they need to protect our precious natural resources— especially the Long Island Sound,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Limiting the damaging effects of stormwater runoff and pollution is essential to preserve our beaches and wildlife so that they can be there for us and future generations.”

"During the past 20 years, our municipalities and the state upgraded old sewage treatment systems and installed new ones. Mother Nature, however, delivered record-breaking amounts of rain and snow this past year, taxing all our storm and sewage systems and causing localized and statewide damage. The results left our beaches in bad shape and the waters polluted to the point that public health was put at risk," said Representative Roy. "I look forward to working with the Department of Environmental Protection and the strong environmental organizations within Connecticut to again repair and replenish our natural water resources to provide residents with clean, safe recreational opportunities."

"We are proud to announce that this year the Connecticut legislature has dedicated significant funds in our bond package to support clean water projects,” said Representative Widlitz. “Clean water is essential to protecting public health, providing safe recreation and fostering a thriving economy."

“Connecticut’s beaches are a treasured natural resource, centers for family recreation, and a great attraction for tourists in southeast Connecticut and across our state. Unfortunately, last year we saw an alarming increase in reports of poor water quality and beach closures,” said Senator Maynard. “We must do more to protect our beaches, and reduce the pollution in urban and suburban runoff water that makes its way down to the coast.”

“I believe Long Island Sound to be the signature natural resource in our state,” said Representative Moukawsher. “The continual degradation of the Sound and marine species from storm water runoff and sewage is of extreme concern. I join with the Save the Sound in support of a comprehensive plan of action to address storm water runoff, sewage and the harm to marine species.”

“On the eve of July 4, Connecticut residents heading to Long Island Sound deserve to find healthy beaches and clean water,” said Sandy Breslin, director of governmental affairs for Audubon Connecticut. “Fortunately, we know what to do to keep this promise. We call on Congress to reauthorize and fund the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Acts. Our State is poised to make the historic investments in clean water infrastructure and strengthen protections preventing pollution from stormwater runoff. These investments create jobs and boost our economy. And each of us can play a role at home, school, or work by reducing the unnecessary use of fertilizers and pesticides, safely disposing of our trash and respecting or restoring natural vegetation along our rivers, lakes and streams that flow into the Sound – Mother Nature’s filtration system – so every Connecticut family can safely enjoy a day at the beach.”

The report showed that in 2010, 11 percent of all reported beach monitoring samples in Connecticut exceeded the state’s daily maximum bacterial standards. New London County had the highest exceedance rate, 15 percent, following by Fairfield County, 11 percent, New Haven County, 10 percent, and Middlesex County, 10 percent. The beaches with the highest exceedance rates included:

NEW LONDON COUNTY

Kiddie’s Beach- 54%

Green Harbor Beach- 45%

NEW HAVEN COUNTY

Branford Point Beach- 28%

Anchor Beach (Merwin Point)- 22%

Pent Road Beach- 20%

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

Shady Beach- 24%

Long Beach (Marnick’s)- 24%

Long Beach (Proper)- 22%

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Town Beach (Clinton)- 21%

The full Connecticut portion of the NRDC report is attached.

(SB 1242) approved by the legislature last weekend includes $1,954,889 for the school project based on the full estimated 500 student capacity. The measure is headed to the governor’s office for signature.

“This legislation was necessary because over the course of this school construction the state’s method for determining reimbursements had changed,” Rep. Moukawsher said. “That resulted in Catherine Kolnaski School being only allocated enough credits for 444 students rather than the 500 students initially slated for the school. Legislation was required to address the issue.”

The provision he worked to include in the legislative bond package provides an exception from current space standards for state grant calculation purposes.  The school opened with a 496 student body.

“I am especially pleased given the fact that education dollars continue to be squeezed in a tough economy, the 52 students for which the school did not receive credits at first will be provided for as originally intended,” added Moukawsher, who worked with local Groton Public Schools officials to ensure this concern was addressed and resolved.

In addition, the new legislation provides special school construction grants for school districts that have one or more schools with minority enrollments that exceed the district-wide average for the same grades by more than 25%.

Groton is one of the towns which will qualify for this grant. The grant must reimburse such districts for 80% of the reasonable capital costs for diversity school construction projects. Without this provision, Groton’s reimbursement rate would have been set at about 58% utilizing a new formula to be in place next year. The current new school reimbursement rate for Groton is 66%.

The public has every right to know what businesses in the state enjoy tax breaks and what kind of savings they realize as a result.

It is the public after all - all the other taxpayers - that assumes the burden of additional taxes when corporations pay less.

So what is the harm of legislation proposed by state Rep. Edward E. Moukawsher, the Democratic serving Groton and New London from the 40th District? It would require the state Department of Revenue Services to compile an annual list for public disclosure that identifies every business in the state receiving tax breaks, and the full value of the credits and exemptions.

It certainly seems like a simple request to make these tax breaks transparent. And timely, given the long list of proposed new taxes the governor has proposed and lawmakers are considering.

But according to a Connecticut Mirror story published Tuesday, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's administration and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association are fighting hard to keep specifics of the tax breaks under wrap, arguing such disclosure could force jobs out of state and potentially divulge proprietary corporate information.

Really? That seems rather dramatic. In fact, it would seem that disclosing details of the $300 million in corporation tax credits and exemptions might do more to lure other big businesses into Connecticut, not out of state.

Besides, those are public dollars owed that are being forgiven, which makes transparency all the more important.

Given all the opposition, Rep. Moukawsher's bill is a long shot, but we support its passage.

With hundreds of millions of dollars worth state tax credits and exemptions on the books, a Groton lawmaker says Connecticut should disclose which specific businesses enjoy tax breaks, and how much in savings each one receives.

But while Rep. Edward E. Moukawsher's bill recently received a public hearing, both Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's administration and the state's chief business lobby are fighting it, arguing it could create public unrest and send a negative message to companies looking to locate or expand in Connecticut.

"These exemptions and credits cost towns a great deal of money. The cost the state a great deal of money," said Moukawsher, a five-term Democrat who serves on the tax-writing Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. "I think we've warped our tax system so much with these benefits bestowed on different sectors."

Not all tax breaks ordered by statute are aimed at companies. But there are more than $300 million in corporation tax credits and exemptions, and another $300 million connected to either public service or petroleum companies.

Legislatures and governors have built a network of tax breaks over the past few decades that have shifted a considerable tax burden away from businesses in general -- and larger companies in particular -- and onto residents and small businesses, Moukawsher said. "It seems like our (finance committee) agenda is always full of different interests and businesses looking for tax breaks," he said.

And though the aggregate cost of these tax breaks can be researched easily, taxpayers won't be able to properly judge whether those public benefits were worthwhile unless they know who got them and how for how much, Moukawsher said. His bill would require the Department of Revenue Services to compile an annual list for public disclosure that would identify each business receiving tax breaks, and the full value of those credits and exemptions.

"Are the companies receiving these credits creating jobs?" he added. "How many? People need to know which businesses are being favored and at what cost. And then they should judge."

Connecticut Voices for Children, a nonprofit advocacy group for a strong social services network and a progressive tax structure, echoed Moukawsher's concerns at a Finance committee public hearing last week.

"Tax expenditures have been quickly eroding Connecticut's corporate and insurance premiums tax base," testified Joachim Hero, a researcher for the group, who said Connecticut's state and municipal business tax revenue ranks among the lowest in the nation when viewed as a share of private-sector economic activity. "For many of these expenditures there is no public disclosure of who receives them, in what denomination, or for what specific purpose."

But both the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and the Malloy administration argued that this level of public disclosure would drive jobs out of state.

"No other states are releasing this type of company-specific data," said Bonnie Stewart, the CBIA's tax policy specialist, who argued it would immediately put Connecticut companies at a disadvantage.

An out-of-state firm could gain insights into a Connecticut competitor's plans for research or capital expansion by reviewing the credits applied for and received, she said.

"It could make a big difference to a company developing a new product or modifying an existing one," Stewart said, adding that a full disclosure system might lead many businesses to fear credits might be repealed -- and hold off on plans to add new jobs. "For businesses, certainty and predictability is key," she said. "This could lead them to believe they can't rely on what's on our books."

Two Malloy administration officials made similar arguments during last week's committee hearing.

"This proposed legislation is in opposition to our state's efforts to foster a business-friendly environment," testified Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Ronald F. Angelo Jr., who added that the bill has the "potential" to disclose a company's proprietary information.

Malloy's budget director, Office of Policy and Management Secretary Benjamin Barnes, testified that "the disclosure of such information could create citizen angst against certain companies receiving the credits/exemptions" and "would send the message that Connecticut is 'closed for business.'"

But Moukawsher argued that the administration officials' testimony runs counter to the principals of transparent government and accountability that Malloy stressed both throughout last fall's campaign and since taking office in January.

"I'm actually disappointed because the governor has made the point quite often about transparency," Moukawsher said, adding Malloy also has criticized past administrations and legislatures for awarding tax breaks and not assessing their effectiveness later. "Here we have an opportunity to compile that data and analyze it.

Sen. Eileen Daily, D-Westbrook, co-chairwoman of the finance committee, said she agreed with the Malloy administration and the CBIA that there are "significant concerns" about the bill's potential to disclose competitive data about a company, but added she hasn't reached any decisions about the bill. The committee has until April 27 to act on measures raised in the 2011 legislative session.