HARTFORD, CT — Republican and Independent Party nominee for governor Senator Ryan Fazio today called for an end to what he called the Lamont administration’s “corruption tax” — the cost taxpayers bear when government fails to properly oversee public money, hold leaders accountable and operate transparently.
Fazio pointed to a series of recent reports, including allegations of a toxic workplace culture and bullying at Central Connecticut State University and the Department of Banking, ongoing questions surrounding state funding provided to Blue Hills Civic Association, and the Lamont administration’s decision to award a $250,000 no-bid contract to former Lamont education commissioner Miguel Cardona’s consulting firm. That’s in addition to numerous scandals under the Lamont administration from school construction with Kosta Diamantis to the various scandals within Connecticut State Colleges & Universities.
“We keep seeing story after story about mismanagement, poor leadership and taxpayers being left in the dark,” said Senator Ryan Fazio. “As Harry Truman said, the buck stops here. When people are struggling to pay their property taxes and electric bills, $250,000 here or $15 million there is not pocket change. That is real money to real communities, and this administration has lost sight of what a dollar means.”
Fazio released his “End the Corruption Tax” plan, which calls for greater transparency around no-bid contracts and earmarks, stronger Freedom of Information laws and a zero-tolerance standard for corruption and misconduct.
“Accountability must start at the top. As governor, I will be responsible for making sure the state government acts in the best interest of the people of Connecticut,” Fazio said. “That means ending special treatment, enforcing transparency laws and making sure taxpayers do not have to wait a year or more to get basic answers from their government. We must do better.”
“People deserve to know where their money is going,” said House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora. “The public should not have to rely on a reporter uncovering a contract or questionable expenditure to find out how their tax dollars are being spent. Too often, residents and legislators submit requests for basic information, including requests to PURA, and then wait a year or more for answers while agencies delay, narrow or otherwise obstruct access to public records. That is not transparency, and it is not accountability.”
“Freedom of Information laws are only effective if people can actually use them,” Candelora said. “We need real transparency in state spending, timely responses to public-records requests and accountability for those entrusted with public dollars. The public should not have to spend months or years fighting to learn how its government is operating.”
“Families in struggling communities are begging for relief,” said Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding. “Instead, they are watching the Lamont administration make questionable decisions while residents carry the burden of higher taxes and higher costs. Governor Lamont has become tone deaf to the financial pressures Connecticut families face. He does not seem to understand what $250,000 — or $15 million — means to people who are working harder, paying more and struggling to keep up with their property taxes, utility bills and everyday expenses. Every taxpayer deserves a government that understands the value of a dollar and treats public money with the seriousness it deserves.”