Democrats in Lockstep with Gov. Malloy, Refuse to Override Vetoes

Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement regarding Republican efforts to override Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s vetoes of multiple bills that were passed by the legislature all with overwhelming bipartisan support. Sen. Fasano expressed disappointment over Democrat lawmakers’ refusal to stand up to Governor Malloy to override the following five bipartisan bills.

SB 188 – AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE STATE OVERSIGHT COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

“This bill increases transparency and oversight of an agency that oversees the needs of Connecticut’s most vulnerable children. It is sickening that Governor Malloy would veto this measure that would shine a light on an agency that has ignored advice from advocates and failed far too many children. Under Governor Malloy’s administration we have seen tragic and unnecessary abuse and neglect of at risk children. We have seen children left in dangerous situations. We have seen children abused and killed. Child abuse has happened repeatedly on Gov. Malloy’s watch. To say ‘no’ to more oversight at a time when this agency is so clearly in need of reform is inexcusable. I am disappointed in Democrat lawmakers who are allowing Gov. Malloy to continue operating this agency in the dark.”

SB 453 – AN ACT CONCERNING CLASSROOM SAFETY AND DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR.

“Classrooms in every town and city across Connecticut should be free of physical violence threatening children and teachers alike. This bill is common sense legislation that requires boards of education to address daily classroom safety in the same manner they do bullying and teen dating violence; requiring them to adopt a plan, including allowing teachers to refer students who commit daily classroom safety violations out of class to an alternative option. This would allow teachers to remove a student from a classroom if that student physically assaults someone or threatens classroom safety. It would allow teachers, a crisis intervention team or a team of administrators and teachers designated by principals to bring that student back into the classroom after the issue is appropriately addressed and the student gets needed help. Regarding concerns raised about federal laws protecting disabled students, there is nothing in this bill that would overrule federal protections in place that ensure fair treatment of students with disabilities. This legislation is designed to give teachers the tools they need to keep their classrooms safe from violence, and get students who harm others the help they need. By refusing to override Gov. Malloy’s veto, Democrats let our students and teachers down.”

SB 528 – AN ACT CONCERNING STATE CONTRACT ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES.

“Taxpayers and the city of Hartford alike will suffer as a result of Democrats’ cowardice. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agreed that the Hartford bailout arranged by Gov. Malloy went beyond what legislators negotiated. This legislation was a bipartisan effort to scale back the governor’s damaging arrangement to more closely resemble what lawmakers intended. However, today Democrats got cold feet. Their silence demonstrates they are complicit in the governor’s plans. Taxpayers will be the ones who suffer and Hartford also will suffer, because vetoing this bill means a rough road ahead for the city should it ever come to the legislature for help again. This bill struck an importance balance between oversight and financial protections and support for the capital city to avoid bankruptcy without abusing taxpayer dollars. By allowing the governor’s veto to stand, Democrats are hurting Hartford’s chance to get out from under and threatening taxpayer dollars in the process.”

SB 261 – AN ACT EXTENDING THE MANUFACTURING APPRENTICESHIP TAX CREDIT TO PASS-THROUGH ENTITIES.

“This legislation was the result of a bipartisan effort to help businesses grow, thrive and create jobs by offering a tax credit to boost investment in manufacturing and job training. It does not create a deficit in the state budget and the short term investment will be far outpaced by the potential for job creation and business growth over the long term. This bill would remove barriers to job growth. Unfortunately, Gov. Malloy cannot bring himself to lower taxes no matter how clear the benefit is to our state, and apparently neither can Democrat lawmakers. Democrats who blocked an override of this veto today are signing on to that same progressive mindset that says taxes are the only solution to the state’s problems – a mentality that has failed our state for years.”

HB 5171 – AN ACT PROHIBITING THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH FROM MAKING RESCISSIONS OR OTHER REDUCTIONS TO THE EDUCATION COST SHARING GRANT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

“This bill would have created stability and predictability for our towns and local schools beyond the current budget.  In failing to override this veto in the Senate, Democrats showed they are in lockstep with Governor Malloy. They cannot think for themselves and would rather follow the lead of the one of the most unpopular governors in the country than stand up to his failed policies.”