_{CCAG Executive Director Tom Swan originally posted the message below on MyLeftNutmeg.com}

On November 4th voters will be given a choice as to whether we should hold a Constitutional Convention to propose amendments to the state Constitution.

The Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG) urges a no vote on the question. As one of the organizations that has lead the fights to open up our political process (Direct Primaries, Campaign Finance and Ethics reforms) we believe a convention would be a waste of taxpayers' money and could be corrupted by the same special interests that our new campaign finance reform laws are designed to protect us from.

Proponents of a convention either do not understand the process or are deliberately trying to mislead the public by saying that the vote on November 4th is about initiative and referendum. If the vote passes it is then up to the legislature to determine the process for selecting delegates to the convention. This will likely be done through a costly special election and primaries. The convention is then convened, which will result in additional costs to the state. The delegates may or may not propose amendments to the constitution, which would be subject to a future popular vote. There is no guarantee that what the proponents of the convention are arguing this vote is about will be included these proposals.

It is plausible that many of the proponents of a convention would mask their real motivation due to the unpopularity of some of their ultimate goals. Connecticut does not want to ban a woman's right to choose or to allow discrimination against same sex couples. Advocates of these and other radical positions realize that they cannot win enough legislative races to accomplish their goals so they are trying to push a convention to create a new avenue for their fight. Their gambit will have significant costs for the state at a time we are facing a huge deficit. I am confident their stealth agenda will ultimately be rejected.

There is a high likelihood that the delegate selection process will be driven by lobbying and other big money interest. It is not surprising that special interests are looking for new ways to exert influence as Connecticut embarks on the first election cycle under our public financing system. The new system has been a smashing success with over 75% of candidates voluntarily participating. It has been praised across the country and will result in a state government more accountable to voters not special interests.

Opening up new mechanisms for the corrupting influence of special interest money is not what Connecticut needs in this post-Rowland era. CCAG is urging people not to be conned about the Constitutional Convention and to vote no.

SPECIAL GUEST: COLONEL ANN WRIGHT -- FORMER FOREIGN DIPLOMAT, AUTHOR, TRUE AMERICAN HERO & PATRIOT
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9

6 PM -- DOORS OPEN

7 PM -- PROGRAM

WEST HARTFORD TOWN HALL

3rd FLOOR AUDITOREUM

50 SOUTH MAIN STREET

WEST HARTFORD



Come hear why this decorated hero, a US Army Colonel in Special Ops and later, a career diplomat, resigned, Went to Congress, and then Went to jail to make her point. After more than four and a half years as an occupying and destructive force in Iraq, what role does dissent play in the lives of Americans who are fed up, frustrated, and fuming about American Foreign Policy under the Bush Administration? And, how what we do---and [UTF-8?]don’t do now---will effect Foreign Policy in the next administration.

Travelers Chief: Have Feds Regulate Storm-Zone Rate

By DIANE LEVICK

August 29, 2007 - Hartford Courant

Two years after Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast, The Travelers Cos. is floating a novel and controversial idea to ease the insurance-availability problems that have plagued residents from Texas all the way to New England.

Jittery from $40 billion of Katrina claims, insurers have shrunk from covering homes and even businesses in coastal regions, boosted rates - sometimes 85 percent or more - and required customers to install storm shutters or take other protective measures.

So this week, Jay Fishman, chairman and chief executive of The Travelers, proposed the creation of a 50-mile-wide "Coastal Hurricane Zone" from Texas to Maine in which the federal government would regulate rates and rules for property insurance that covers windstorms.

Currently, the states regulate insurance, and in most cases regular homeowners' policies cover windstorms, including hurricanes as well as fire, theft and other "perils."

The Connecticut Coalition on Aging with the Connecticut Commission on Aging
present:

The Fourth Annual Carlson Memorial Forum:
Critical Issues Facing Connecticut’s Older Citizens

UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
Can we do it nation-wide?
Can we do it in Connecticut?

Friday, April 20, 2007
9 AM to Noon

Four Points by Sheraton
275 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT

Featured Speaker Ron Pollack,
Founding Executive Director, Families USA

Families USA’s analyses and reports on health coverage
are frequently cited at Congressional hearings, state
legislatures and the media as the foremost resource for
improving the quality and coverage of affordable health
care for everyone in the USA. Mr. Pollack appears
frequently on national public and network radio and
television programs.

Panel: Juan Figueroa, President, Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut
Representative Christopher Donovan, Majority Leader, House of Representatives