Connecticut residents are horrified by the government corruption scandals that have rocked our state over the past couple of years and they, understandably, want the General Assembly to step up to the plate and enact whatever reform measures are necessary to make things right.
What they do not want us to do, however, is to pass legislation that sounds good, but in reality damages our state.
That is why during this special legislative session I voted against the so-called contract reform measure because it will jeopardize the ability of nonprofit agencies that care for our most vulnerable citizens to continue to do their jobs. Voting in favor of legislation that jeopardizes the care depended up by Connecticut's disabled citizens, and their families, would have been irresponsible.
That this legislation actually passed is shocking - especially considering the fact that Governor M. Jodi Rell vetoed a similar bill, for the same reason, during the June special legislative session. Yet, despite the fact that I, and my Republican colleagues, support the contract reform provisions of this bill, we hope Governor Rell vetoes this legislation, as well. In fact, I wrote to Governor Rell requesting she do just that.
We offered an amendment that called for stripping the legislation of the language damaging to Connecticut's nonprofit agencies while leaving intact the provisions that reform the state is contracting process. However, the majority in both chambers is so tied to labor and the union apron strings, that the amendment was defeated. The section pertaining to privatization in this bill has no relevance to the contracting process, but the consequences will be strongly felt throughout the state by private service providers.
In expressing her displeasure with the bill, Governor Rell stated, "the contracting reforms contained in this bill are the ones I proposed and have long been supporting. But I remain very troubled by the unrelated language in this bill that could jeopardize the provision of vital state services to some of our most vulnerable citizens, such as those in group homes or receiving mental health services."
This legislation calls for establishing new standards for contracts between the state and private agencies that could make it difficult for most agencies to expand services. When so many of Connecticut's vulnerable residents, and their families, depend on non-profits to provide services, it makes no sense whatsoever for the state to make it harder, possibly impossible, for these agencies to do business.
Here are some questions for Connecticut residents to ponder. If government, in the name of reform, makes it harder for nonprofits to contract with the state or expand their services as necessary, what will happen to the people they serve? Will the state of Connecticut simply hire more state employees to provide these necessary services? Is that in the best interests of the people who need these services? Is expanding the state workforce at the cost of nonprofit agencies in the best interests of the taxpayers? As I stated in the senate debate, "the private providers stepped in to fill the breach when the state began the process a deinstitutionalization for the mentally ill ad the mentally retarded. Now we're going to shut them down in one swift blow. This is unconscionable."
It is my hope that Governor Rell once again vetoes this misguided legislation and that the General Assembly responds by, finally, passing a responsible bill that sticks to just reforming the state's contracting process. I believe that Connecticut's corruption-weary citizens would be thrilled.
Press Contact: Catherine Sarault, Senate Republican Office: 860-240-8818 |
