Bravo to Governor Rell for vetoing the bill that would have rewarded illegal immigrants with discount tuition for state colleges.

“I understand these students are not responsible for their undocumented status, having come to the United States with their parents,” Governor Rell said. “The fact remains, however, that these students and their parents are here illegally and neither sympathy nor good intentions can ameliorate that fact.”

The Governor’s compassion for those who are not part of the problem was properly weighed against rewarding lawbreakers and diminishing the hard work of legal immigrants who have played by the rules. The bill, pushed through by the Democrats, would have granted a limited number of slots reserved for Connecticut residents applying to the various colleges in the University of Connecticut system.

The Governor noted in her veto message that she also does not want “to encourage individuals to circumvent federal immigration laws. The bill, by providing benefits to undocumented aliens, may serve to encourage others to come to Connecticut in violation of federal immigration law. National security in the post-9/11 world has become increasingly important and we cannot dismiss the effects of state action that may undermine federal security measures.”

Democrats gave a predictable response but will be unable to override the veto. Illegal immigration is not just a problem for the southern and western states. Many towns in Connecticut are dealing with this issues on the local level. The affect of illegal immigration is costing taxpayers millions in extra costs for education, health care and other social services.

In New Haven, the Democratic Board of Alderman recently approved a program that would give identification cards to illegal residents - thereby legitimizing their presence while other legal immigrants trudge through the citizenship process.

If ever there was a defining issue between Republicans and Democrats it is whether we are a country of laws or a country of chaos. Republicans believe that becoming an American is a right to be earned, not gifted by the whims of politicians eager for praise and support at the polls.

With tonight’s re-election of Chairman Chris Healy to a full two-year term as State Party Chair, the Connecticut Republicans will soon be primed to move forward with an aggressive approach to the 2007 municipal election cycle and the 2008 Legislative elections.

The election results from 2006 were disheartening to say the least - both nationally and across the state - and it had been widely wondered how the Republican Party, either in Washington or in Hartford, would be able to turn the momentum back around.

The first answer to that question came in February when the Governor proposed a historic investment in education in Connecticut - and then, to further the novelty - actually took the unprecedented step of writing a budget that was both balanced and took into full account the liabilities that the State has; no accounting gimmicks thanks very much.

And then the “Fighting 44″ and their Leader, Larry Cafero, decided that it was time to stand and fight by being the party of big ideas - with proposals like “Learn Here, Live Here“. But their boldest step was the creation of the “No Tax Increase Budget“, which was met with high acclaim by the pundits. It was an odd suggestion by Hartford standards - perhaps that legislature could content itself with merely spending the money that is already sent to Hartford by the hardworking folks of Connecticut - and not asking for even more money.

It hasn’t, of course, been all flowers and chocolates. The sad revelation that Senator Lou DeLuca, a longtime member of the Senate, and a man long noted for his decency, asked an alleged member of the mafia to rough up his granddaughter’s significant other was a setback to the momentum that was building in the waning days of the 2007 Legislative Session. And the disclosure of Healy’s driving under the influence arrest added to the problem. But the Party as an organization and as a Legislative caucus worked through the tough times - and have emerged on the other side with fresh resolve - Senator John McKinney is the new Senate Republican Leader and Chairman Healy is re-elected to a full term as State Party Chair.

The Connecticut Republicans are ready to move forward and work - work to become the majority party in this state. Governor Rell and the Legislative Republicans went to the negotiating table for the State Budget at significant disadvantages to the SuperMajority; but still, they came away without raising taxes on job creators and families in Connecticut. And just today, the Governor has vetoed the bill to grant in-state tuition to illegals. We are making progress on our legislative agenda and we will do more in the weeks and months ahead as we strive to make the Connecticut Republicans a Majority Party that can govern effectively and best serve the people of this State.

Update 11:50pm:
The Courant has the story on the Republican State Central Committee’s re-election of Chairman Chris Healy from tonight.

“We are going to take it to the Democrats, and we are going to become the majority party of Connecticut,” Healy said. “I’m an optimist. I believe in the possible.”

Original Post:
Chairman Healy was unanimously re-elected tonight at the June meeting of the Republican State Central Committee meeting here in Bridgeport at Roberto’s Restaurant.

A packed house voiced their opinion to stick with Healy loudly and to applause.

The other elections went just as smoothly - Vice Chair Lisa Carver was re-elected as was Treasurer Jerry Labriola Jr, without issue.

Retiring Secretary Lana Ogrodnik will be replaced by the member from the 35th district, Bill Jenkins.

Secretary Bill Jenkins
Treasurer Jerry Labriola
Vice Chair Lisa Carver
Chairman Chris Healy

More to come…

CT News Junkie has the story: Governor Rell today vetoed a bill that would grant in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.

Here is the Rell press release. Quote her: “The fact remains, however, that these students and their parents are here illegally and neither sympathy nor good intentions can ameliorate that fact.”

Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming passed away on June 4, 2007, after a long battle with leukemia. His replacement was made this week - newly sworn in Senator John Barrasso. Barrasso, 54, will serve until November 2008, when there will be a special election to fill the seat properly.