Connecticut taxpayers work hard for their money. They deserve to know that their government is spending it responsibly — not handing out sweetheart deals, rewarding political insiders, or hiding behind bureaucratic loopholes.
I. Crack Down on No-Bid Contracts
- No-bid contracts should be the exception, not the rule.
Proposed Reforms:
- Put meaningful limits and transparency requirements on no-bid contracts.
- Require public disclosure of every no-bid contract.
- Require the Government Oversight Committee to be notified at least 10 days before a no-bid contract takes effect.
- Move as much large-scale, non-competitive spending as possible into a competitive bidding process, including the Housing Flex Fund.
II. End Earmarks and Pork-Barrel Spending
- Taxpayer dollars should never be treated like political favors. If you’re asking taxpayers to foot the bill, they deserve to know where the money is going.
Proposed Reforms:
- Pass the reforms outlined in LCO 5896 to bring transparency, vetting and accountability to state funding provided to private organizations and nonprofits at the direction of elected officials.
- Require legislators requesting earmarks or political bonding to disclose potential conflicts of interest.
- Vet recipients for conflicts of interest before taxpayer dollars are awarded.
- Require financial statements, tax filings and a detailed explanation of how taxpayer money will be spent.
- Require site visits for large-dollar recipients to make sure taxpayer funds are being used as promised.
III. Strengthen the Freedom of Information Act
- Government belongs to the people. Connecticut residents should never have to fight their own government to find out what it is doing with their money. The Fazio administration will strengthen Connecticut’s Freedom of Information laws and make sure the government cannot use delays, loopholes or destruction of records to avoid accountability.
Proposed Reforms:
- Define “promptly”: Establish a clear definition of how quickly government agencies must respond to FOIA requests so “promptly” cannot become an excuse for endless delays.
- Empower the Public Records Administrator: Give the Public Records Administrator greater authority to ensure state agencies properly maintain and disclose public records.
- Hold officials accountable: Establish meaningful penalties for knowingly destroying public records, improperly withholding records or intentionally evading disclosure requirements.
IV. A Zero-Tolerance Administration
- Corruption cannot be tolerated at any level of state government — and accountability starts at the top. The Fazio administration will take responsibility for rooting out corruption and abuse of power throughout the executive branch.
Proposed Reforms:
- No more excuses for corruption or misconduct.
- Hold bad actors accountable, including those in leadership who preside over or tolerate corruption.
- Remove individuals who abuse their positions or violate the public trust.
- Protect and support whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing.
- Establish a clear, zero-tolerance standard for corruption throughout state government.