The Fight Continues to Pressure Govenor Rell to Meet People's Needs
If you have called the Governor's office, call again. If you have not yet called, now is a good time to call. The Governor's office number is 860-566-4840 (toll free: 800-406-1527) Keep your message simple and clear. Support a fair budget, tax the rich, close corporate loopholes, and maintain vital State services.
[Click on photos for full screen view]
....THE BETTER CHOICES FOR CT PRESS CONFERENCE
July 6, 2008
Phil Sherwood, center in photo above, stood in front of the Governor's mansion at a press conference sponsored by the Better Choices of CT Coalition. The Coalition is made up of over 40 community and labor organizations that have been fighting for a fair State budget. Phil is the Deputy Director of the Connecticut Citizen's Action Group.
The Governor vetoed the 2010-2011 legislature's State budget. She issued Executive Order # 28 that immediate cuts funding for vital services while she continues to stall on signing a fair budget package, that includes taxing the rich and closing corporate loopholes.
The Governor has ordered cuts to Family Resource Centers, Regional Education Service Centers, organizations that provide HIV/AIDS services and counseling, and has frozen student loans, among other services that depend on state funding for the month of July.
Joe Antelmi, a UConn student, center of the photo above, spoke passionately about the negative impact of the Governor's cuts on students.
Michele Ganon, a professor of accounting at Western Connecticut State University noted that "When Connecticut needs an educated workforce more than ever, and when attaining a college degree is directly tied to peoples' ability to support themselves and their families, the Governor cut funding for students loans."
Shawn Lang, center above, said, "We're outraged the Governor doesn't consider people with HIV/AIDS among the vulnerable citizens. In fact, they are among the most medically and socially fragile people in this state living in poverty with complex medical needs." Shawn is Director of Public Policy for the Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition.
In a prepared statement The Better Choices for Connecticut Coalition noted that they have "repeatedly called upon the Governor to pass a budget that asks millionaires and corporations to pay their fair stare of taxes instead of further punishing the middle class and the state's most vulnerable citizens. The organization has also highlighted the connection between public spending and economic recovery, pointing out that the Governor's cuts negate the benefits of federal stimulus funding championed by President Barack Obama."
Participates Brian Steinberg and Kedar Fluker express their views with the sign "Gov. Rell - You Taxed Workers - Now Tax the Rich!"
...HEALTH CARE FOR ALL - THE SustiNet COALITION RALLY ... July 7, 2008
Continuing the pressure on Gov. Rell to sign the SustiNet bill that promotes health care for all, the SustiNet Coalition rallied at the State Capitol.
Rep. Chris Donovan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, thanked the crowd for their outstanding work on promoting health care for all. Rep. Donovan has been fighting for passage of SustiNet and the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership (the pooling bill) to lay the groundwork for health care for all.
After the outside rally the coalition marched into the State Capitol to present personal messages to the Governor.
Brian Steinberg and Jackie Velez display examples of their personal message to the Governor. Brian's message states, "Too many people need health care!" Jackie's note is, " Because we have a human right!"
At the conclusion of the rally, Juan Figueroa, center, and the delegation from the rally went to the Governor's office to presents her with rally participates personal message on the need for health care for all. The children were to present personal messages to the Governor but she was not available.
A representative from the Governors office came out to accept the messages from the children.REMEMBER: CONTINUE TO CALL THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND ASK OTHERS TO DO SO. Together we can make a difference!
By Tom Connolly
1 comment:
Over the next 12 hours Governor Rell will choose her legacy.
She will decide how she'll be remembered by our grandchildren.
History could record her as "A champion of the people of Connecticut" and "A Connecticut and American hero in the fight to make health care work for everyone."
OR,
She can choose to be that woman who came after the crook with the hot tub.
It’s her call.
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