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Recession Advice From New Haven’s Two Tonis: Bug Us
by Uma Ramiah | Mar 8, 2011 2:55 pm
(6) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author
A state legislative power duo wants to hear more from women back home.
So New Haven’s State Sen. Toni Harp and State Rep. Toni Walker told community forum panel Monday night at Gateway Community College sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority of New Haven to discuss the ravaging impact of the economy on women.
Their message? Keep talking. Get active. Let lawmakers like us hear from you about not wanting education and women’s health care de-funded.
Harp and Walker co-chair the state legislature’s powerful Appropriations Committee.
“The legislative branch at the local, state and federal level is a mechanism to hear peoples’ voices,” Harp told the audience of nearly 100 people, most of them women.
She suggested writing to the Board of Aldermen. “They have to respond,” she said. “And if you have a state rep or state senator, you can contact us. We can put bills in on your behalf.”
She also encouraged testifying at committee hearings.
“It’s almost as important to be against something as to be for some things. Your voice must be heard.”
And women’s voices, panel members told the audience, become ever more crucial as the economy shrinks and funding is cut.
Walker chimed in.
“Nine times out of ten, Sen. Harp and I are already voting the way you want us to,” she said, “so you’ve got to reach out to all the legislative members.”
Panel member and moderator Teresa Younger, executive director of Connecticut’s Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, explained that the first wave of the recession had an impact on predominantly male industries: construction, finance, etc.
But now, she said, we’re in a second wave.
“And the things under attack are the things that make women comfortable to walk the streets at night. It’s a stepped up attack on women’s rights,” she said. “We’re looking at funding cuts to health care, education, community services.”
She mentioned the ongoing budget-cutting threat to Planned Parenthood services. “That was about whether women should have control over their bodies, have access to birth control, even have an annual pap smear.”
These are basic, necessary services, she said.
“When [former Speaker] Nancy Pelosi was in the [U.S.] House [of Represetnatives],” Younger noted, “jealth care and job training all went to the front of the conversation.”
As the House changed to male leadership, she said, one area that’s not being cut is military spending.
“Discretionary spending, though, is being cut left and right.”
Mary Swain, a 57-year-old first-year Gateway student (pictured), stood up to protest cuts to education.
“We’re here in 2011, and I’m still trying to obtain my associates degree while funds are being cut,” she said.
Swain, who is on disability and supports both children and grandchildren, said she’s working towards a degree in general studies.
“We keep talking about class,” she said. “But this ship is going down. If we were on the Titanic, would class matter? We’re just trying to survive,” she said.
And it’s not just the poor being affected, she said. The middle class is at risk now too.
“It really is probable one of the hardest things, doing what you’re doing, keeping your family whole,” Walker responded. And again, she encouraged contacting legislators in the face of education and other cuts.
“Sometimes we don’t respond right away because we get three to 400 emails a day,” she said. “But we are here for you.”
Don’t let this be the only time you reach out, she said.
“Make this a beginning. Make it a continuation.”
Post a Comment
Comments
posted by: Nan Bartow on March 8, 2011 4:25pm
We are so lucky to have the two Toni’s representing us. Thank you both.
posted by: ignoranceisbliss on March 8, 2011 4:41pm
She suggested writing to the Board of Aldermen. “They have to respond,” she said. “And if you have a state rep or state senator, you can contact us. We can put bills in on your behalf.”
Its unfair to shove this down to the Aldermen. They have nothing to respond with. The City has nowhere to go except for the property tax and any honest person will acknowledge that the City cannot survive on the property tax.
How about a bill to end unfunded mandates, how about a bill that sends additional funds to the cities to meet their operating needs (Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven are broke), how about a progressive income tax, how about some real regionalization?
posted by: Noteworthy on March 8, 2011 6:13pm
Finally there’s a face to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women. This is one of the things that should be cut from the state budget. I’ve lived in CT for 15 years and this is the first thing I’ve seen from this worthless agency aside from their equally valueless annual reports. Add to this all the other permanent commissions and kill off Rep Fonfara’s silly idea for yet another one - a permanent commission on Bosnians of all things.
Here’s a message from my wife to the two Toni’s: Save money. Cut expenses. And quit raiding my family’s budget. The rest of it is all nonsense.
posted by: FacChec on March 9, 2011 4:02pm
“Don’t let this be the only time you reach out,” she said.
“Make this a beginning. Make it a continuation.”
This request also applies to the (2) Tonis who almost never are seen or heard from; with the possible exception of their twice a year newsletter…. before elections.
How many times have we heard from these two testifying in front of a city committee, where they live, work and pay taxes.
How many times have these two spoken out concerning the way and manner in which state pilot and grants funds, they approve, are spent by the Mayor.
That’s right NAtta.
posted by: Merryl on March 10, 2011 12:05pm
to FacChec: I am baffled by your comment about the two Toni’s not seeing seen or heard. That is the exact opposite of my experience. I have consistently found them to available and responsive to their constituents. I have invited them to many, many events and they come, they ask excellent questions and really listen to what people have to say. I also attend hearings at the Capitol on many issues and their attendance records are remarkable.
posted by: FacChec on March 10, 2011 4:07pm
Merryl,
I do not understand why you are baffled by my comment, perhaps you should read the comment again…nothing to misinterpret there.
I said that the two tonis are not visible or heard from as it relates to public hearings in New Haven, especially when it relates to funding which they legislated in Hartford, but do not take the time to involve themselves in decisions over how and where the dollars, they already approved, are expended. I know they contend that those matters are the responsibility of BOA, however, they are employed on city and federal funds, pay taxes and live in New Haven.
What they do in Hartford is expected , especially since they are paid by the state as well. Some have called that double dipping.
