There's a Strange Wind Blowing in Hartford

For people who don't intend on doing a lot of harm, Connecticut Democrats are sure having a heck of a week. A State Representative the last person to see a friend alive- and no one is still sure what happened. Two senior legislators attacking the Catholic Church and undermining the Constitution. A caucus driving our state into an $8 billion deficit- then refusing to make the tough decisions to get out of it.

Contrary to popular opinion, I am not a vindictive, mean-spirited person. I am willing to give a lot of room to Representative James O'Rourke. For those of you unaware- here's the quick version of the story. O'Rourke was at a bar, as was state employee Carol Sinisgalli. He offered to bring her home. They got into a fight on the way. She got out, he left thinking she was very near her house. She wasn't. And she was found dead in the snow hours later, dead from the freezing cold.

Now, I am of the opinion that this may have been an honest mistake by Rep. O'Rourke. However, there are questions to be answered. Regardless of any kind of altercation, he took the responsibility of brining Sinisgalli home. He should have made sure she got there. In the mean time, Rep. O'Rourke owes it to his constituents to answer their questions- whatever they may be.

Co-Chairs of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Andrew McDonald and Representative Michael Lawlor made the mistake of trying to take on the Catholic Church this past week with S.B. 1098. The bill seeked to reorganize the administrative, financial, and legal structure of the church- via state law. Needless to say, the proposition of the bill caused enormous uproar, not only in the Catholic Community in Connecticut, but in anyone who has ever read the Constitution as well. I am aware that laws concerning the Catholic Church exist already, but I don't agree with those either. As for the parishoner who sought the bill, obviously he is not a devout enough Catholic himself, or he would have sought to solve the issue within the church hierarchy itself.

Senator McDonald said on wednesday, "It was never my attention to offend anyone of faith" (Hartford Courant- Capitol Watch 3/11/09). For something that it was never your intention of doing, you did an awesome job, Senator. Next time someone comes to you with a concern about a private organization, don't try to overtake the organization yourself with legislation- how about a meeting with the concerned constituent and organizational leaders? Or is that too logical for you to do? I would also like to not with astonishment, Representative Lawlor's noticeable silence since the bill was pulled on Tuesday afternoon. Can take responsibility for defiling the Constitution, but can't apologize when he's called out on it.

While all of this has been going on, nothing significant going on about the deficit. Connecticut Republican Leader Larry Cafero made a key move by placing freshman and recent victor Rosa Rebimbas on the budget writing Appropriations committee. As someone who has spent years proving fiscal conservativism and tough decision making on her hometown of Naugatuck's Finance Board, it is one more signal that Cafero and the Republicans are putting more faith in the power of action to get rid of this mounting deficit.

We all have bad weeks, so don't feel too bad, Democrats. There is still plenty of session left to make up the blunders and follies that have plagued you this week. Your intentions may be good, but intentions don't translate into actions. Here's a tip from that old, dusty, politician's handbook- Listen to your constituents and do what they ask. Thank God its Friday.