“Once more, all over Connecticut, decent people are reacting with horror and fury to a heinous, inexplicable and utterly reprehensible crime of violence. Understandably, the home invasion in New Britain on Sunday reawakens the shock and revulsion we felt after the crimes last summer in Cheshire and other such cases.

“I grieve for MaryEllen Welsh, who was brutally and senselessly killed while doing nothing more than visiting a friend for coffee, and my heart goes out to Carol Larese, who was wounded. Our thoughts and prayers are with both women, their families and their friends.

“As Governor of Connecticut, my resolve is ever stronger to deal sternly and forcefully with the vicious predators who would commit such outrages. We took real steps in January to strengthen our criminal justice systems – but the ghastly crimes in New Britain show us unequivocally that there is more to do and that there are some people who are so evil that ordinary measures will not stop them.

“First, I again call upon the General Assembly to pass legislation that will establish a clear and simple ‘three strikes’ law in Connecticut. The suspect in the New Britain case has a record that includes multiple burglaries and a sex offense involving a minor. He had been denied parole in 2006 and released on probation earlier this month after finishing an eight-year sentence.

“The time for excuses and rationalization has passed. We need a law that says if you commit three violent offenses, you will be sent to prison for the rest of your life. Period. It is time for action.

“Second, I am calling for legislation that will require any offender convicted of a second or subsequent sexual offense, regardless of the severity or degree, to face an automatic 50 percent increase in their sentence for that offense. No questions, no additional legal issues to prove in court, no unwieldy persistent offender statutes. Just an automatic 50 percent increase in sentence.

“I am also asking the Chief State’s Attorney, the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Commissioners of the Department of Public Safety and Department of Correction to attend a meeting in my office this week. The simple fact is this: We have laws already on the books – Megan’s Law, Jessica’s Law, persistent offender statutes and any other applicable laws – that are not being used in all cases. I want to know exactly what resources my Administration can provide that will ensure these laws are applied each and every time they can be. I also want to know what additional resources we can provide that will ensure that non-violent offenders and violent offenders who are unlikely to reoffend have the programs and services they need to remain on the straight and narrow.

“I will also be proposing that Pre-Sentence Investigations be mandatory in all cases involving sexual offenses. These full background checks of convicted criminals are sometimes waived. Yet it is clear one continuing problem we face is deciding which offenders are the most dangerous. The improvements we have made in Board of Pardons and Paroles operations are a start, but I believe it is absolutely essential that judges have the fullest picture possible of potentially dangerous offenders before they hand down a sentence that may not keep such a person in prison for the maximum period.

“Finally, I am calling on the Legislature to join me in restoring the funding for increased GPS monitoring of offenders on probation and parole – and to require GPS monitoring for all sexual offenders upon their release. I realize fully that this will have an impact on the budget – and yet I can think of no reason not to proceed.

“The crimes that took place on Sunday in New Britain offend us all. We must – and we will – react to these crimes in a resolute but measured way. The continuing, bipartisan effort to strengthen and enhance our criminal justice system is just such a reaction.”

From the Governor’s Website

The State of Connecticut was honored for being the “Safest State in the Nation” for kids, according to Parents Magazine yesterday.  So sayeth the article about Connecticut’s kid-related security:

The proof that it’s working: Kids in the state are far less likely to die from accidents; in fact, Connecticut has the second-lowest rate in the nation.

The always pithy Capitol Watch collected comments from Governor Rell on the topic, who said this:     “I very much appreciate this award, which should be shared with the forward-looking legislators, the dedicated state employees and — certainly — the millions of dedicated parents who have done so much through the years to build Connecticut’s reputation for protecting children.”

Other Governors or former Governors aren’t doing so well in this neck of the woods.  Yesterday, newly-minted Governor David Paterson announced that both he and his wife had “affairs”, though by rights, he was seperated from his wife at the time and they worked through their differences.  Former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey confessed that he had a threesome with a former security guard.  And former Connecticut Governor John Rowland is being criticized by Rep. Chris Caruso and Rep. Diana Urban in relation to his new role in bringing business to Waterbury. 

Meanwhile, Governor Rell and her husband Lou celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary.

So says Capitol Watch.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell shared a table with President Bush at a White House dinner for the National Governor’s Association.The sports-minded commander-in-chief asked whose state had the best basketball team.

Rell, recently returned from the NGA meeting, said today she immediately raised her hand.

“He said, ‘I meant men,’ ” Rell said.

At least he knew the women’s team was ranked first.

– Mark Pazniokas

Governor Jodi Rell spent the weekend in our nation’s capital for the centennial National Governor’s Association (NGA) Winter Meeting.  The conference gives Governors from across the nation the opportunity to meet each other, discuss key issues that transcend state lines, and get to go visit the White House.

Among the topics of discussion at the conference were transportation, long-term care, education, and green energy.  The “energy” topic seems to have generated a bit of buzz, as it may well happen that smiley faced Wal-Mart employees may be coming to investigate the “green” nature of the state capitol complex:

Under the “Greening the Capitols” partnership Wal-Mart will send experts to as many as 20 state capitol complexes throughout 2008 and 2009 with the goal of identifying energy efficiency improvements that will provide a return on investment within five years. In addition, the Wal-Mart team will demonstrate the anticipated cost savings and carbon dioxide reductions each state could experience by implementing the recommended improvements. The NGA Center for Best Practices will help identify states for participation and catalog the successes each state experiences.

Look for potential recommendations to include an obstreperous new sign in front of the LOB and cart racks in the parking garage.

Our Governor also got a little time with an ever-older looking ‘43′.  After a State Dinner Sunday night for the assembled Governors, they gathered again on Monday for some remarks from POTUS followed by a little Q & A.  One of the items for discussion was the recently released report, “The Quiet Revolution: The President’s Faith Based and Commuity Initiative: A Seven Year Progress Report”.  As Gov. Rell thumbs through to the Connecticut section, she probably won’t be surprised to learn that more than $234 million in federal grants have come to the Nutmeg State via the President’s Faith-based efforts, with more than $218 million going to secular nonprofits and $16.7 million going to faith-based organizations.  The report also indicates that “In 2006, 840,000 Connecticut volunteers dedicated 113.6 million hours of service, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service Volunteering in America 2007 report”.

The meeting ended yesterday, so look for the Governor to be back in CT today.

If you are reading this, it most likely means you aren’t driving.  Keep it that way.

If/when the weather clears up, folks in Eastern Connecticut should make your way to the Holiday Inn in Norwich for the Norwich Republican Town Committee’s Lincoln Day Dinner, in honor of Ed Seder and John Paul Mereen.  State Business Advocate and former 2nd CD Congressman Rob Simmons is the featured speaker.

As a matter of fact, it’s been a busy week for Rob Simmons.  He played a prominent role at the Manchester Economic Summit on Wednesday, which was covered by the Journal-Inquirer.

Remember when Governor Rell vetoed the bill to grant in-state tuition to illegal immigrants last June?  The bill is back.  Meet its sponsor, State Rep. Felipe Reinoso, a Democrat from Bridgeport.

Today’s News-Times of Danbury reports Gov. M. Jodi Rell is being considered as a possible candidate for Vice President this fall with Sen. John McCain. WFSB and FOX 61 also reported Tuesday night in their broadcasts that Gov. Jodi Rell is one of many Republicans being considered by party insiders and national leaders.

This is needless to say, a well deserved honor for Gov. Rell and the state of Connecticut.

The following is today’s story in the News-Times:

HARTFORD — Could Gov. M. Jodi Rell be headed for the White House? Political pundits have speculated lately about Rell, a Brookfield resident, being a potential running mate for Sen. John McCain, the front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination.

Chris Healy, chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party, said Tuesday there have been discussions in political circles in Connecticut and Washington about Rell joining the McCain ticket if he receives the party’s nomination. “Given what she could bring to the ticket, it’s understandable,” Healy said. “She entered the governor’s office at a time of crisis in the state and restored public confidence in the government. It would be great to bring that to the national debate.” He said while the talk is purely speculative, the rumors speak highly of Rell’s record and her qualifications. “I know that she enjoys being the governor, but I’m sure she would be flattered,” he said.

Crystal Benton, from the McCain campaign, said there have yet to be any official statements about potential running mates. She added, McCain appreciates the support of Rell, who has endorsed the senator. “At this point, it much too early to talk about potential vice presidential candidates,” she said. “We are still running a primary campaign.”

State Rep. Arthur O’Neill, R-Southbury, said he’s surprised its taken this long for Rell to be considered for the position. “She is one of the most popular governors in the United States today,” he said. “She won by the largest plurality of any other governor in the country during the last election.” Rell, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, said recently on WTIC radio, when asked about the rumors, that she is very happy serving as the governor of Connecticut. She added the speculation was intriguing.

A New York Post story also placed Rell on a short list of McCain’s potential running mates. Others to make the list include billionaire publisher Steve Forbes and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Rell said previously she endorsed McCain because of his “experience and dedication to public service.” “He’s a very direct and straightforward person,” she said. “We need that right now.”

House Speaker James Amann, D-Milford, said while he will be supporting the Democratic ticket in November, having Rell on the Republican ticket with McCain would be good for the state. Amann recently announced the formation of an exploratory committee for his potential run for the governor’s office. “Rell is a very popular governor in Connecticut, and a ticket of diversity certainly wouldn’t hurt the Republicans,” he said. “If chosen, it would be an honor for the state.”