In a recent poll of CEOs, Connecticut was ranked as the 6th worst state for jobs, down from last year’s rank of 7th. This decline will continue until we stop running businesses out of the state with excessive taxes, regulations and poor fiscal management.

“Lower taxes and realistic regulations that don’t send businesses elsewhere. Connecticut is at the bottom of the list,” said one CEO polled. “Connecticut is the worst, poor leadership,” said another.

These quotations are indicative of an anti-business culture that has resulted in a sluggish economy, an unemployment rate above the national average, and persistent budget deficits that have prevented a meaningful economic rebound.

Find out more about this new poll by clicking here.

Please know that I’m doing my best to fight for businesses and jobs here in Connecticut. We need a vibrant and diverse economy to get our state back on the track to prosperity; to do that, we must stop treating business like the enemy.

Today’s Wall Street Journal included the following article on proposed legislation to grant Connecticut driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, featuring an interview with Rep. Scribner, Ranking Member and longest serving leader of the Transportation Committee.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324266904578458883135748940.html?KEYWORDS=scribner

Weighing IDs For Illegal Immigrants
By JOSEPH DE AVILA

Connecticut Democrats are rallying around a plan that would allow people who are in the U.S. illegally to get driver’s licenses, making the state one of several to consider the idea this year.

Such proposals sometimes have ignited political wars. In 2007, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, a Democrat, was forced to abandon the idea in the face of mounting criticism. And for the past four years, Republican New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has tried to repeal a 2003 law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.

How divisive the issue may become in Connecticut isn’t yet clear, in part because the language of the legislation is still being drafted. Some Connecticut Republicans said they would withhold support until a concrete proposal comes forward.

“We certainly don’t want to encourage people to drive without license or insurance,” said Republican state Rep. David Scribner, a member of the transportation committee. “The other side is that people have raised the concern: ‘Do we really want to create a carve out for people who are here illegally?’”

The transportation panel considered several bills this year that would have allowed undocumented immigrants to drive, but didn’t vote on any of them. Proponents now plan to introduce it as an amendment to a separate piece of legislation.

A spokesman for Republican Senate Minority Leader John McKinney said he was still studying the proposal.

The push comes as at least eight other states, including California, Minnesota and Massachusetts, weigh similar measures, following three others where such legislation has won approval this year.

“This year it seems like there is a political opening and a new view of the issue that has taken hold,” said Tanya Broder, senior staff attorney with the National Immigration Law Center, who cited the ongoing debate in Washington about legislation that would change national immigration policy.

About 54,000 illegal immigrants are now old enough in Connecticut to apply for driver’s licenses.

The plan’s advocates say it would ensure these immigrants are given proper driving tests and allow them to get car insurance. The proposal could also provide additional state revenue from registration fees and car taxes.

“This is a population that has been here for many years and must drive to conduct their lives, and bringing them into the system will benefit the general public,” said the Rev. James Manship, co-chairman of Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut, a coalition of religious groups.

Opponents will have an uphill political fight.

The proposal has the backing of leaders of the state House of Representatives and the Senate, both controlled by Democrats. Gov. Dannel Malloy, also a Democrat, also has said he was supportive.

“I think there is a sentiment, within the House anyway, that this is a common-sense proposal,” said House Speaker Brendan Sharkey. “The reason for not doing it seems to be based on fear and not practical reality.”

There are about 120,000 illegal immigrants in Connecticut, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. That’s up from 75,000 in 2000 and 20,000 in 1990.

Karen Tello, a 20-year-old college student from New Haven, Conn., drove without a license for six months in 2012 to her job as restaurant hostess.

Ms. Tello said she was in fear whenever she drove.

“My parents were worried about me,” said Ms. Tello, who moved to the U.S. with her family from Ecuador when she was 6 years old.

She later got a license after she qualified for the federal program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which allows young illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S. and obtain work-authorization forms and Social Security cards.

Her father, however, still has to drive to work without a license, Ms. Tello said.

Her mother doesn’t drive, leaving Ms. Tello with the responsibility of taking her 10-year-old brother to school, doctors’ visits and swimming lessons.

Early versions of the Connecticut plan would require applicants to prove their identity through documents such as passports or consulate cards. They would also have to verify they are Connecticut residents with documents such as lease agreements or utility bills. Applicants would also have to pass a background check for aggravated felony assaults and be screened against terrorism watch lists.

The drivers licenses would look like a noncitizen license and would likely be valid for less than the standard six-year term.

The growing numbers of Hispanics in Connecticut and how those increases will affect voter registration will likely play into the political calculus for Republicans on this issue, said Gary Rose, chairman of the Department of Government and Politics at Sacred Heart University. Census figures from 2011 show the state is home to about 494,000 Hispanic residents, up from 331,000 in 2000 and 213,000 in 1990.

“There will be objections” to the proposal, Mr. Rose said, “but I think a number of Republicans may end up tagging along.”

Write to Joseph De Avila at joseph.deavila@wsj.com

A version of this article appeared May 6, 2013, on page A17 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: Weighing IDs For Illegal Immigrants.

On Sunday evening State Rep. David A. Scribner (R-107) was honored for decades of exemplary service to the Town of Bethel with multiple state and local recognitions, including the famed “John L. Thiele Distinguished Service Award.”

He was presented the Thiele award in front of 125 residents and public officials by former State Sen. David Cappiello at Armando’s Restaurant in Bethel.

On Sunday evening former State Senator David Cappiello presented State Rep. David Scribner with the “John L. Thiele Distinguished Service Award” at Armando’s Restaurant in Bethel.

In honor of his legislative achievements spanning nearly a decade and a half, fellow members of the Bethel Delegation also presented him with a General Assembly Citation. Past and present lawmakers on hand to honor him included Senators Toni Boucher and Michael McLachlan; Reps. Dan Carter, Janice Giegler and Richard Smith; and former Sen. Judi Freedman and former Rep. Hank Bielawa.

In addition, Bethel First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker and Selectmen Richard Straiton and Paul Szatkowski presented him with a Proclamation from the Town of Bethel.

“Rep. Scribner emulates former Selectman John Thiele’s many positive qualities, being active in numerous organizations, dedication to his community and his constituents,” said Bethel First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker. “He is a caring and compassionate man constantly striving to make the world a better place, introducing important pieces of legislation, including young driver licensing laws, and achieving many grants for the town. He has established a long legacy of bipartisan cooperation locally and at the state level in his honorable service representing the best interests of the people of the 107th District.”

(L to R) State Sen. Michael McLachlan, former State Sen. Judi Freedman, State Rep. David Scribner, State Sen. Toni Boucher, former State Rep. Hank Bielawa, State Rep. Janice Giegler, State Rep. Dan Carter and former State Sen. David Cappiello stand together after Rep. Scribner received his General Assembly Citation.

“I wish to thank all of those who came out to honor my public service efforts to make the Bethel Community a better place to live, work and raise a family,” said Rep. Scribner, who has served Bethel in the General Assembly for eight terms.  “I am humbled and overwhelmed by this tremendous honor. John Thiele was an extraordinary individual, who deeply cared about the people of the Bethel Community; he lead by example, and inspired others to be in involved and contribute. His focus was always more on addressing issues than engaging in politics. I look forward to continuing my public service and dedication to our community for years to come.”

The legislature has begun to deliberate Governor Malloy’s two-year, $43.8 billion budget proposal, which calls for a spending increase of over 9% and $3.1 billion in new borrowing, in an attempt to address over $2 billion in projected deficits.

Given the gloomy fiscal outlook, and with some Democratic legislators calling for tolls and other tax increases, it is even more troubling that Connecticut has attained a new dubious distinction.

According to the Tax Foundation, a non-partisan tax research group, Connecticut continues to have the latest “Tax Freedom Day” of any state in the nation. Tax Freedom Day is the day each year when the average citizen has made enough money to pay their combined local, state and federal tax bills.

With one of the highest tax burdens per capita of any state in the nation it’s no wonder our Tax Freedom Day comes later than any other state – May 13 – which marks an eight day extension from last year:

http://taxfoundation.org/article/tax-freedom-day-2013-april-18-five-days-later-last-year

To put it in perspective, each of us will spend more on taxes in 2013 than we will on food, clothing and housing combined.

This should tell us something about the way our state government is operating. Connecticut families balance their household budgets on the basic principles of not spending more than they bring home and not borrowing more than they can afford to pay back. Shouldn’t the State of Connecticut do the same?

As a member of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, I am closely monitoring the legislature’s budget negotiations and will continue to push for common sense budget principles.

In an effort to keep you as informed as possible about helpful resources, Rep. Scribner would like to bring your attention to a new energy website launched by the state.

The site – www.ctenergyinfo.com – provides consumers with resources to help:

• Reduce energy consumption and cost

• Improve the environment

• Promote economic development and energy security

For more information on consumer energy issues, call Connecticut’s statewide toll free energy information line, 877-WISE USE (947-3873), which connects you to an energy professional weekdays during normal business hours.

On Friday State Rep. David Scribner (R-107) taped an interview with student journalist and Brookfield resident Megan Mitchell who asked him to discuss the status of the gun control debate in Connecticut. Mitchell, a broadcast journalism major at Emerson College, will air the interview on WEBN TV in Boston, Mass. as part of a news package on responsible gun legislation currently being crafting by the Connecticut General Assembly.

Rep. Scribner greets Brookfield resident Megan Mitchell in his legislative office in Hartford.

Rep. Scribner discusses the legislature’s Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety.

If you or someone you know needs help paying winter heating bills, there is still time to apply for federal energy assistance benefits.

The deadline for applying is May 1st, although households heating with oil, kerosene or propane are encouraged to apply by March 15th to be able to access full benefits.

Nearly 100,000 applications have been received so far this winter, with over 82,000 households approved for basic benefits of up to $575.

Eligibility is based on household size, income and liquid assets.

In addition to calling 2-1-1, the public can get information on eligibility requirements and benefits by visiting www.ct.gov/staywarm

The following Letter to the Editor was submitted to the News-Times by a group of area legislators in response to the recent Hearst gun survey.

To the editor:

We would like to address the recent gun control survey that was distributed to state legislators by the Hearst Newspapers Corporation. We would like to clarify what transpired and explain the reasonable approach we are taking to address the difficult issues facing our state.

Following the tragic Sandy Hook massacre, both legislative chambers and both political parties came together to form a historic collaboration known as the Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety.

As the process of collecting public and expert testimony was underway, we were asked via the survey to boil down some very complicated issues to a simple “yes” or “no” response. With all due respect, if the issues were that simple, we would have already crafted solutions.

The survey questions, which made no mention of mental health or school safety, lacked specific definitions for many vague and easily misconstrued phrases such as “assault-styled rifles” and “large capacity magazines.” When addressing sensitive, complex issues such as gun control, it is neither responsible nor reasonable to take a position when we don’t have all the facts.

Moreover, while the survey article claimed we “declined” to respond, we did in fact send lengthy and thoughtful statements explaining our take on the process. When the survey results were published, however, the statements were never mentioned and the term “declined” was used to describe those legislators who submitted statements as well as those who simply sent nothing in.

Our positions are not ones of indecision or unresponsiveness, but rather are commitments to carefully listening to all sides of these issues and debating them openly before choosing the right solutions.

In an effort to honor the legislative process and keep from disenfranchising the thousands of folks still weighing in on these issues, we could not in good faith adhere to concrete positions before a bipartisan compromise has been reached.

Public safety is too important to make hasty judgments before the democratic process has taken place – a process we greatly respect and are honored to take part in.

We will continue to listen carefully as we gather more public input and craft comprehensive and effective legislation on gun control, mental health and school security.

Sincerely,

State Reps. David Scribner (R-107), Jan Giegler (R-138), DebraLee Hovey (R-112), Mitch Bolinsky (R-106), Cecilia Buck-Taylor (R-67), and State Sen. Clark Chapin (R-30).