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GOVERNOR RELL: IN ACTION FORMAL, INFORMAL AND JUST PLAIN, BEING JODI...WORKING HARD TO MAKE CONNECTICUT A BETTER PLACE! Governor Rell in pictures...official ones plus reproductions from the Norwalk HOUR, Hartford Courant file photos, and New London DAY! NEWS HERE. Statement of why she did not run again here.

After Decades of Neglect, Transportation Infrastructure Took Center Stage in Rell Administration
By State Senator Toni Boucher, e-mail note, November 16, 2010

There was a time, not long ago, when there was little political will to make mass transit a serious part of Connecticut’s transportation system. Cars were king. Trains were seen as, well, a relict of a bygone era. The smart money was on building bigger highways and letting our neglected train system take a back seat.

A few of us took every opportunity to point out that a modernized, efficient and workable mass transit system would both boost our economy, encourage business development, and help our environment by making it possible for more people to leave their cars at home.

Fortunately, Governor M. Jodi Rell heard us and sought new transit-oriented leadership at the Department of Transportation (DOT). Due to her leadership, the improvement and modernization of Connecticut’s mass transit system finally took off. As Governor Rell said, people talked and talked about doing something but little was done until she took office in 2004.

Now, DOT considers our bus and train system to be equally important as our highways – and she has made much needed investments in all of these areas.

Consider the Rell-era investments in mass transit and highway, including:

$667 million for 300 new rail cars for use on the New Haven Line
$300 million for new rail maintenance facilities
$103 million for a new train station in West Haven
$187 million for operational improvements and congestion mitigation measures for Interstate 95 between Greenwich and North Stonington
$150 million for improvements to other state and interstate roads; and
$7.5 million for new transit buses.

Other transportation initiatives undertaken during the Rell Administration include:

Enhanced rail service; including station improvements on Shore Line East
Purchase of 24 new M-8 rail cars for use on Shore Line East
Redevelopment of the service plazas on Connecticut’s highways through a unique public/private partnership
Developing new rail station parking in Stamford
A new New Haven Line rail station and parking in Stamford.
A new “511” traveler information system
Creation of separate Engineering and Highway Operations Bureaus within DOT and reorganization of the Bureau of Finance and Administration.

Also, I expect the next big project to be completed will be the replacement of manual signals along the Danbury branch line with modern remote-controlled computerized signals. This much-needed project had been stalled – and its state and federal funding jeopardized as a result – for more than a decade.

Thanks to Governor Rell’s willingness to listen to what I and other transportation advocates had to say, the computer signalization project will be finished in 2012. This will make it possible to make other much needed improvements, such as electrification, which would make the Danbury branch line compatible with the main line. Meanwhile, just finishing the computerized signalization project will make it possible to add seven more trains to the morning and evening commutes.

Transportation news is just as good in other parts of the state. Governor Rell has led the way for the development of a high-speed commuter rail line linking New Haven, Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts. In fact, just last month, Governor Rell joined members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation in Meriden to announce a $121 million federal grant for the much-anticipated Springfield-to-New Haven rail line.

Although critics abound, no one can deny that we owe a great deal of our transportation infrastructure progress to the determination, leadership, and vision of Governor Rell. After decades of neglect, she jump started numerous stalled road and rail projects and has seen them through to completion, a transportation legacy that will endure long after her term concludes.

You can see the relief on the faces of weary commuters. The Governor’s efforts to make our mass transit system more efficient, more modern, and more commuter-friendly should continue after she leaves office. After all, a sound transportation system is an economic imperative in revitalizing our great state.

Governor M. Jodi Rell today (November 10, 2009) issued the following statement:

            “Thank you for joining me this afternoon. I want to begin by thanking everyone who made our Day of Caring and Compassion this past Saturday such a success.

            “In particular, I want to thank our firefighters, who opened 15 fire stations across the state to serve as collection centers. They did a fabulous job, as did Girl Scouts, volunteers from FoodShare and Connecticut Food Bank and many, many others.

            “Thousands of pounds of nonperishable food were collected and a great many of our families who are struggling in this economy will be helped because of everyone’s caring and compassion. The generosity of the people of Connecticut never ceases to amaze me.

            “Second, I would like to share with you the news that – after much soul-searching and discussion with my family – I have decided not to seek re-election next year.

            “The past five years I have had the honor – the incredible honor – to serve as the 87th Governor of Connecticut.

            “I came in at a troubling time in our state’s history. We had been through much and we needed a new start, a renewed sense of faith in public officials and a recommitment to integrity in our government. Working together, we steadied our state and we passed landmark ethics reform and campaign finance reform legislation. I am very, very proud of that.

            “I am humbled by the memories of my first days in office as I held ‘open houses’ all across the state so that the people of Connecticut could meet their new Governor. I met thousands of people at those open houses – and I have met thousands more during the last five years. It’s the best part of my job – meeting and helping people.

            “From the beginning, I have always sought to be a citizen-Governor. At one open house, after standing for hours, I finally kicked off my heels and stood in my stocking feet greeting people. I’ll never forget the woman who said, while looking at my feet, ‘That’s why we like you – you’re normal; you’re like us.’ That was the highest compliment she could have given me.

            “I’ll also never forget the reaction of people as they see me waiting in line with them at the grocery story or running out of the dry cleaners or, yes, shopping at Marshall’s, my favorite store. They’ll often say, ‘It’s nice to know our Governor shops like we do.’ I do. I always have. And I always will.

            “I have never lost sight, from the first day – July 1, 2004, up to today – that I hold the public’s trust and that my job is to listen, to act, to lead and to fight – for that hurried mom with toddlers in tow who is waiting in line with me at the grocery store, or the tired father I see at the dry cleaners.

            “It’s not the pundits or the politicians who live and breathe for party politics and constant campaigning that drive me serve and to work hard. It’s the people of Connecticut … .

            “The gay couple who hugged me at Stafford Motor Speedway after I signed the first-in-the-nation voluntarily passed civil unions bill.

            “The thousands of people from all over the state who called or sent cards or prayed on my behalf as I faced and beat breast cancer.

            “The mother and father whose hands I held at the funeral of their child who gave their life in military service overseas.

            “The children, bursting with energy and optimism, as we opened a new charter school or put in a new computer lab in their library.

            “The woman whose cheeks were wet from tears of appreciation and relief as she signed up for the Charter Oak program – she finally had health insurance coverage after years without it.

            “The commuter who shook my hand and quietly thanked me for all my efforts in finally addressing our mass transit needs with hundreds of new and refurbished rail cars, updated rail stations, new buses and more frequent service.

            “The college students who have seen their public colleges and universities literally transformed before their eyes – both in and out of the classroom. The quality of academics has never risen so dramatically as in recent years – and so have the number of new and improved buildings at every school in our system.

            “The state troopers who are better-trained and better-equipped than ever before – and better-staffed than in years. And they are working with a new Department of Homeland Security that leads the nation in preparedness.

            “And our veterans: I look in the proud eyes of our veterans – whom we will honor tomorrow and must honor every day – as they see the incredible changes we have made at the Veterans Home and Hospital in Rocky Hill. Enhanced programs and services and a brand new, state-of-the-art hospital to serve those who courageously served to protect our freedoms.

            “Yes, I have been honored – truly honored – to meet these and the other amazing people of Connecticut. To listen to them, to laugh with them, to cry with them, to celebrate triumphs with them and to always remember that I work for them.

            “I love being Governor and I love the people of Connecticut. The challenges of the job have been – and continue to be – many; the rewards incalculable.

            “But at some point you know inside that it is time to begin a new chapter in life.

            “It was 25 years ago this month that I was first elected to office. Ten years as a state Representative from Brookfield. Ten years as Lieutenant Governor. Five years thus far as Governor. It’s time.

            “I want to thank my family and my staff – for everything. I am blessed.

            “I want to thank the people of Connecticut for allowing me the honor of serving as their Governor. I want to thank them for their support and their understanding, for their prayers and their returned love.

            “I need their continued support and understanding and their prayers for the next 14 months. I still have a lot of governing to do – a lot of difficult issues to face in these tough economic times.

            “I will not be a candidate – but I am the Governor and the work continues. Thank you.”

Rell, Others Laud N.Y.'s Rejection Of Broadwater Gas Plant
By DAVID FUNKHOUSER | Courant Staff Writer
April 11, 2008

Opponents cheered as New York Gov. David Paterson declared Thursday, "The fact is, Broadwater is behind us."

But the high-stakes battle over Broadwater Energy's plan to put a massive, floating, natural-gas plant in Long Island Sound isn't over yet. The developers said New York's rejection of their plan Thursday was just one step in the approval process, not the last one, and opponents expect an appeal.

Still, at press conferences on both sides of the Sound, officials, citizens and environmental groups opposed to the plant celebrated their first major victory — New York's decision that the project was inconsistent with its coastal management plan.

Although Connecticut had no official standing in the decision, many in the state had been eagerly awaiting New York's decision.

"We did it! We did it! We did it!" Gov. M. Jodi Rell exclaimed at a press conference on Silver Sands Beach in Milford. "This is exactly the news we hoped to hear today: that New York's Department of State has recognized the peril that the Broadwater project represents."

New York's action leaves the next legal step up to Broadwater, and opponents concede there could be a long battle ahead.

"This does not necessarily change the game plan," said John Hritcko, senior vice president and regional project director for Broadwater Energy, a consortium of Shell Oil and TransCanada Pipeline. "Today's decision is part of a regulatory review process, not the end of one. We — and thousands of others in this region — believe that this project is the best alternative to provide the additional natural gas supply that will be required."

Hritcko said the company has "a number of options going forward" and would review the decision in detail before deciding on its next move.

Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, New York's secretary of state, called the rejection of Broadwater's application a "complex and difficult decision," saying the project did not mesh with several aspects of the state's coastal policies.

Her decision, backed up by Paterson, puts a serious roadblock in Broadwater's path.

"We are disappointed and concerned with the [New York] decision," Hritcko said. "We specifically designed this project to be consistent with the state's coastal management policies and offered a number of additional commitments that would further enhance the state's coastal resources."

"This fight is far from over," said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, a longtime opponent of the project. Under federal energy law, he said, the company has 30 days to appeal the decision to the U.S. secretary of commerce, who can overrule state decisions.

"They have a right to go to the secretary … and say that national energy priorities should override the coastal zone management determination made here by the governor," Blumenthal said.

The company also could appeal through state agencies and courts, but Blumenthal called that approach "exceedingly unlikely" because of the time involved.

Even if Cortes-Vazquez's rejection of the project were to be overturned, two other New York agencies would still have to approve Broadwater.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which has raised objections to the project, would have to issue a permit, and the New York State Office of General Services would have to grant the company an easement to use public land.

Broadwater, a 1,200 foot long liquefied natural gas processing plant, would be permanently moored to a tower in the middle of the Sound, about 10.5 miles off Branford.

Opponents have argued that the two states and the federal government have invested tens of millions of dollars over the past 20 years to improve the environment of the Sound.

They say that allowing an industrial use like Broadwater in the middle of public waters would threaten that progress.

"Gov. Paterson's swift and immediate decision to reject this ill-advised proposal should be applauded and celebrated with a ticker tape parade," said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District. "For years, Connecticut and New York residents have faced the threat of a quarter-mile-long barge in the middle of the revitalized Long Island Sound that would serve only the interests of multinational oil conglomerates."

Cortes-Vazquez and Paterson both cited the need to find alternative ways to meet the demand for energy.

"The thorough analysis in today's ruling makes clear the importance of protecting the character of Long Island Sound as it points the way to sensible alternatives for meeting New York's long-term energy needs," said Cortes-Vazquez, whose department is charged under federal law with making sure projects meet the state's goals for both developing and protecting the coast.

Paterson stressed the Sound's environmental value.

"One of my goals … is to protect Long Island Sound, by preserving it as a valuable estuary, an economic engine for the region, and a key component to making Long Island's quality of life one of the best in the country," Paterson said. "Broadwater does not pass that test. Shame on us if we can't develop a responsible energy policy without sacrificing one of our greatest natural and economic resources."

Paterson outlined a series of steps for addressing energy needs, including an update of the state's energy plan; a 10-year, $1 billion efficiency initiative by the Long Island Power Authority to reduce demand; doubling the New York Power Authority's budget for conservation; and exploring other proposals to increase the supply of natural gas.

He also said the Long Island Power Authority would be seeking proposals for a major solar power project.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted unanimously last month to approve Broadwater. In a 2,200-page environmental impact statement, the agency concluded that the project would not have major adverse impacts, but also imposed 80 conditions intended to minimize the effect on the Sound.

The decision by Cortes-Vazquez declares that Broadwater violates six of 13 policies that are part of the state's coastal management plan, including those to:

ΔFoster a pattern of development in the Long Island Sound coastal area that enhances community character, preserves open space, makes efficient use of infrastructure, makes beneficial use of a coastal location and minimizes adverse effects of development.

ΔEnhance visual quality and protect scenic resources throughout Long Island Sound.

ΔProtect and restore the quality and function of the Long Island Sound ecosystem.

ΔProvide for public access to, and recreational use of, coastal waters, public lands and public resources of the Long Island Sound coastal area.

•Protect Long Island Sound's water-dependent uses and promote siting of new water-dependent uses in suitable locations.

•Promote sustainable use of living marine resources in Long Island Sound.

She also suggested two alternative sites for the facility that would be consistent with the coastal plan, both outside New York boundaries.

One would be 13 miles offshore south of Long Beach, N.Y., and a second 22 miles south of Fire Island Inlet.

Rell To Make $50 Million Available In Mortgage Aid; Refinancing Funds Would Ease State's Subprime Crisis
By Lee Howard
Published on 11/9/2007

State housing advocates reacted positively Thursday to the announcement that Gov. M. Jodi Rell will make available $50 million in refinancing to help address the subprime mortgage crisis in Connecticut.

“I'm grateful to Gov. Rell because she's taking the initiative and taking a firm stand on this issue,” said Zenobia Penn, housing education coordinator at the Opportunities Industrialization Center in New London.

“We are very happy Gov. Rell is taking a proactive stand to address the problem of the subprime market,” agreed Erin Kemple, executive director of the Connecticut Fair Housing Center in Hartford. “We're facing a crisis here.”

An estimated 71,000 subprime mortgages currently are in effect in Connecticut. Of these, 21,000 are scheduled to reset at higher rates in the next two years, creating a high probability of defaults, according to the preliminary report of the state Sub-Prime Mortgage Task Force, convened by Rell in April.

“Many homeowners in Connecticut are struggling with mortgage payments that suddenly and dramatically increased as a result of sharply higher interest rates,” Rell said in a statement. “This issue is about protecting the most important investment many of these families have ever made.”

The CT FAMLIES program that Rell unveiled Thursday will assist approximately 300 to 400 low- to moderate-income borrowers who took out subprime loans for a first home. These loans will be refinanced at a fixed rate only a quarter of a percent higher than the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority's regular rate, currently at 6 percent.

As part of the program, those approved for CHFA loans will be required to go through housing counseling, which will be paid for out of the $50 million Rell will take from other housing programs. Participation will be first-come, first-served.

“The CT FAMLIES refinancing program will help get these borrowers back into a stable mortgage with rates and terms they can afford,” Rell said. “This program will help many families keep their homes.”

Chris Cooper, a Rell spokesman, pointed out that the CHFA funding has no income limits in urban areas such as New London, Norwich and Groton. Income limits otherwise vary by town, with the top limit for a family of three, for instance, averaging $91,150 in New London County. He added that those eligible for the program have to have been making their loan payments on time before their adjustable-rate subprime mortgages reset to a higher payment.

Barbara Crouch, a housing counselor with Catholic Charities in Norwich, said she already has been calling up subprime lenders to let them know about the program. She expects the governor's announcement will allow people to have more leverage to renegotiate their subprime mortgages.

“It will hopefully have a ripple effect,” Cooper agreed.

But housing advocates such as Jeff Freiser, executive director of the Connecticut Housing Coalition, said they were concerned that $50 million might not go far enough to address the problem.

Kemple also wondered if the program takes into account the huge penalties, up to 5 percent or more, that many subprime loans impose on those who pay off their mortgages early.

“Although we are really excited, we are concerned that added resources may need to be brought to the table,” Kemple said.

Kemple also was concerned that the program helps only first-time homebuyers. She said many of her clients have already refinanced their home, perhaps to send a child to college or pay a medical bill, and therefore would not be eligible for the new program.

“Fifty million dollars is a great step in the right direction,” Kemple said, “but there still may be a ways to go.”

CHFA, which is administering the new program, will start taking refinancing applications Dec. 10. A call center is available to help borrowers determine whether they qualify for the program at (860) 571-3500.