Stamford Republicans

08/28/2026

Top 5 — Connecticut Democrats & Political Scandals

1. Joe Ganim — convicted, imprisoned, then reelected mayor
-Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim was convicted in 2003 on 16 federal counts, including racketeering, extortion, bribery and mail fraud. Prosecutors said he received more than $500,000 in benefits, and he served roughly seven years in federal prison. Bridgeport voters nevertheless returned him to the mayor’s office in 2015.

2.Michael DiMassa — stole COVID-relief money
-While serving as a Democratic state representative and West Haven municipal employee, DiMassa participated in schemes involving federal pandemic-relief funds. He pleaded guilty and received 27 months in federal prison for schemes that stole more than $1.2 million.

3. Ernest Newton — bribery and campaign-finance violations
-Former Democratic state Sen. Ernest Newton was convicted on federal charges involving a $5,000 bribe, diversion of more than $40,000 in campaign contributions, and unreported income. He received a five-year federal prison sentence. He later faced another campaign-finance case.

4. Dennis Bradley — 2026 federal conviction
-Former Democratic state Sen. Dennis Bradley was convicted in March 2026 on all six federal counts—five wire-fraud counts and one conspiracy count—stemming from his 2018 Senate campaign and efforts involving Connecticut's taxpayer-funded Citizens' Election Program.

5. The article's larger argument: a decades-long pattern
-The Capitol Ledger argues these aren't isolated episodes but part of a Connecticut political history involving bribery, fraud, misuse of public money and campaign-finance violations. Importantly, the article itself acknowledges that misconduct has crossed party lines and says each case should be judged on its individual facts.
https://capitolledger.substack.com/p/connecticut-democrats-and-their-more?utm_campaign=email-half-post&r=3u61xx&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Biggest headline: A sitting state representative participating in schemes that stole $1.2+ million in pandemic-relief funds is probably the most politically damaging example in the piece, while Ganim's return to office after seven years in federal prison is the most extraordinary.

08/27/2026

We had a great time at our Stamford RTC End of Summer Soirée! 🇺🇸🐘

Thank you to everyone who came out to spend the evening with us at Sign of the Whale. It was a great night filled with good conversations, great company, and an opportunity to connect with friends and neighbors from across Stamford.

We appreciate everyone who joined us and continues to support our efforts to build a stronger community and a stronger Stamford Republican Party.

08/26/2026

Only in America and a person that made America great

Dolly Parton Jan19 1946-Aug 25 2026

We will always love you

Top 5: Her Life, Career & Legacy

1. From extreme poverty in Tennessee to an American icon
-Dolly Parton was born January 19, 1946, the fourth of 12 children, and grew up poor in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Music surrounded the family, and she was performing publicly as a child. By 13 she had appeared at the Grand Ole Opry. After graduating high school in 1964, she immediately headed to Nashville to pursue music.
-Her childhood never disappeared from her songwriting. “Coat of Many Colors” was based on the real experience of being ridiculed at school for wearing a homemade patchwork coat. That ability to turn poverty, family and Appalachian life into songs became central to her appeal.

2. Porter Wagoner gave her the break—but Dolly became the star
-Her breakthrough came after Porter Wagoner hired her for The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967. At first, audiences actually wanted the woman she replaced, Norma Jean, back. But Dolly won them over, and RCA signed her. Her duets with Wagoner produced a remarkable run of country hits.
-Then her solo career exploded: “Joshua,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” “Jolene” reached No. 1 in 1974. When Dolly decided to leave Wagoner, she wrote “I Will Always Love You” essentially as her musical goodbye to him.
-That song later became one of the great songwriting success stories in popular music when Whitney Houston's 1992 version spent 14 weeks at No. 1.

3. She refused to stay in one box: country → pop → movies → television
-Dolly took a major risk by crossing from traditional country into mainstream pop. “Here You Come Again” reached No. 3 on the pop chart and spent five weeks at No. 1 country, turning her from a country star into a genuine national superstar.
-Then came Hollywood. “9 to 5” became her first No. 1 pop single, while the movie—alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin—established her as a movie star. She followed it with The Best Little Wh******se in Texas, Rhinestone, Steel Magnolias and other film and television roles.
And when mainstream country radio moved away from older performers, Dolly reinvented herself yet again, returning to bluegrass and traditional music with acclaimed albums such as The Grass Is Blue, Little Sparrow and Halos & Horns.

4. She was also a remarkably shrewd businesswoman and philanthropist
-One of the most important parts of Dolly's story is that she maintained control over her songs, publishing and business interests. She wasn't simply the woman standing at the microphone.
-She built Dollywood into a major Tennessee tourist attraction and economic engine. But her most enduring nonmusical achievement may be the Imagination Library, created to provide free books to young children—partly inspired by her father's struggles with literacy.
-Her philanthropy extended well beyond books. She helped families affected by the Smoky Mountain wildfires and, in 2020, donated $1 million to Vanderbilt Medical Center to support coronavirus vaccine research.

5. Her longevity may be the most extraordinary achievement of all
-Dolly didn't simply have one great decade. She remained culturally relevant for more than 60 years.
-She went from the Grand Ole Opry and Porter Wagoner to 9 to 5, Dollywood, bluegrass, Broadway, Netflix-era projects and eventually the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. After initially questioning whether she belonged there because she hadn't considered herself a rock artist, she responded by making Rockstar in 2023—with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Stevie Nicks and others. It became her highest-charting album ever, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
-Her husband Carl Dean, whom she married in 1966, remained largely outside the spotlight. They were together for nearly 60 years before his death in March 2025. Dolly responded the way she had throughout her life—by writing a song, “If You Hadn't Been There.”

What makes Dolly's story exceptional: she wasn't merely a great country singer. She was a songwriter, performer, actress, businesswoman, philanthropist and master of reinvention who managed to become enormously successful without abandoning the Tennessee upbringing that gave her something to write about in the first place. Four days before her death, she was still talking about working and the things she wanted to accomplish.

08/25/2026

Why I am Running

People often ask me why I chose to run
when I am out campaigning. I tell them I
am doing my civic duty by running
Quite often they thank me. Let’s face it,
most citizens don’t want to be involved
with the government.
I don’t blame them. There are many
reasons, too busy, too much red tape to
bother with. It is hard to run a
campaign.

Civic Duty, that is why I am running. If I
don’t, who will?
One way to have a better government is
to be part of the government. I will do
my best to make the State Government
better.

I am doing my part. Can you do yours
and vote this November? If you are in
State District 144, can you vote for me?
https://www.laynefor144.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT6frJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXNtRWZMWFh4Vm50NnFCaFdzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEerRoALX5se51wbGHTxBRp-MvSiAN_mk1WmL2OPnzk7drcraLlpAhIJ2NcZP8_aem_kqGDhQV42L_0pyxdF681EQ

08/21/2026

Top 5 — Connecticut Democrats Meet Common Sense on Energy

1. Reality is catching up with Connecticut’s energy policy.
-After years of putting enormous emphasis on wind, solar and aggressive clean-energy mandates, Connecticut Democrats are increasingly confronting a basic reality: the electric grid needs dependable power 24 hours a day & needs to be affordable. That is why Gov. Lamont is now emphasizing nuclear as part of an “all-of-the-above” strategy.

2. Nuclear provides something wind & solar cannot provide by themselves.
-Connecticut needs electricity whether it's sunny, cloudy, windy or dead calm. Nuclear plants can produce massive amounts of carbon-free electricity continuously & at a much lower price along with Gas. The renewed interest in nuclear amounts to a recognition that intermittent renewables need firm generation behind them.

3. Connecticut ratepayers have helped force the conversation back to affordability.
-High electric bills have become a major political issue. Third in the United States. It's increasingly difficult for Democrats to talk only about climate goals while families & businesses are asking a much simpler question: “What is going to lower my electric bill & keep the lights on without bankrupting me?” Nuclear is now part of that conversation. Gas should be next.

4. This isn't just talk — Lamont's administration is spending money preparing for more nuclear.
Connecticut's DEEP is establishing a $5 million Advanced Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Slush Funding Program & studying where small modular reactors might eventually be located but you don't need a $5 MILLION study to do this. That's a significant change from the days when nuclear power faced intense environmental & political opposition.

5. Common sense like gravity is replacing Democrats' energy ideology.
-The most important development isn't that Connecticut is abandoning wind or solar—it isn't. It's that state leaders are recognizing that no single technology is the answer & Nuclear & Gas should be first. Connecticut already benefits enormously from Millstone , and now Democrats are talking about preserving nuclear & potentially building a new generation of reactors hoping naive voters believe them after all these years.

Bottom line:
Connecticut Democrats haven't given up on wind & solar. But high electric bills, rising demand and the need for reliable power are forcing them toward a common-sense conclusion: Connecticut can't build its energy future on intermittent power alone & it never will. Nuclear & Gas has to be part of the equation & GAS has to be first.
https://www.courant.com/2026/08/21/ct-part-of-northeast-policy-summit-on-expansion-of-nuclear-power-in-region-called-an-important-statement/

08/21/2026

Top 5 — Connecticut’s Financial Problems, in Detail & why we need Ryan Fazio for Governor & Republican's in this Nov.

1. Connecticut ranks second-worst in the country
The Reason Foundation analyzed all 50 states using eight measures of long-term solvency and short-term liquidity. Connecticut triggered 4 of the 8 fiscal red flags, second only to New Jersey, which triggered six. California, Illinois and Massachusetts each triggered only three.
-Connecticut’s four red flags are:
Debt exceeds assets
Negative unrestricted net position
Extremely high liabilities per resident
Liabilities greater than twice annual revenues
-Interestingly, Connecticut did not receive red flags for its current cash position or quick ratio, meaning its immediate liquidity is considerably healthier than its long-term finances.

2. Connecticut has the highest per-capita state debt in America
-This is probably the biggest number in the report: Connecticut leads the nation with approximately $26,187 of state debt per person.
-Long-term obligations alone exceed $23,900 per resident. That means Connecticut isn't merely struggling because it's a small state—the debt burden is exceptionally large even after adjusting for population.
-The report considers liabilities above $10,000 per resident a fiscal red flag because they become increasingly difficult for taxpayers to service. Connecticut is well over twice that threshold.

3. Connecticut owes more than twice what its assets are worth
-Connecticut has more than twice as much debt as assets, according to the analysis.
-That contributes to an unrestricted net position of approximately negative $60.8 billion. In simple terms, after accounting for obligations and restrictions on government assets, Connecticut is deeply underwater on this measure.
-This isn't primarily about whether Connecticut can pay next month's bills. It's about the accumulated cost of long-term obligations—including retirement and benefit commitments—and whether future revenues can support them.

4. Connecticut's liabilities exceed two full years of state revenue
-Another major warning sign: Connecticut's liabilities are greater than two years' worth of annual revenues.
-Reason specifically identifies a solvency ratio above 2-to-1 as a red flag because it can constrain a government's ability to issue additional debt and make the existing burden increasingly difficult for taxpayers to service.
-So even if Connecticut balances an annual budget, that doesn't eliminate the enormous obligations accumulated over decades.

5. The good news: Connecticut has cash — but that doesn't solve the long-term problem
-There is an important positive point in the study: Connecticut currently maintains a healthy cash balance, giving it adequate short-term liquidity.
-That's an important distinction. The report isn't saying Connecticut is about to run out of money. Rather, it identifies a structural, long-term solvency problem.
-Reason argues that states with multiple red flags may eventually face difficult choices including tax increases, benefit reductions, spending/service cuts or structural reforms. It attributes the broader problems seen in highly stressed Northeastern states largely to decades of underfunded pensions, retiree health obligations, public-employee compensation commitments and spending growth that outpaced revenues.

Bottom line:
Connecticut has improved its near-term cash position by having guardrails put in by REPUBLICAN'S, but this study says the underlying balance sheet remains one of the weakest in America & DemocRAT'S getting rid of the guardrails exasperate the situation. The number I'd focus on is $26,187 in state debt per resident — highest in the nation.
https://reason.org/policy-study/state-local-government-finances-debt-liquidity/states/

08/20/2026

Top 5 Takeaways

1. We’re paying far too much for electricity. Connecticut customers paid an estimated $1.8 billion more than the underlying market cost of electricity over the last decade. That tells me our energy policies need serious reform.

2. I don’t think we can blame the utilities alone. State laws, mandates, regulations and purchasing policies all affect what we pay. Democrats controlled the General Assembly throughout this period, so I believe they have to take responsibility for the results.

3. I’m concerned about what the Trust Act means for public safety. After an I-95 crash, State Police reportedly identified three people who had entered the country unlawfully, including one reportedly subject to a removal order, yet officers apparently believed they couldn't contact ICE. I think law enforcement should be able to cooperate with other law-enforcement agencies.

4. I think we need to get back to maintaining the basics. Waterbury's recent water-main failures left thousands without water and highlighted decades of deferred maintenance. I'd rather see government maintain essential infrastructure before failures turn into expensive emergencies.

5. For me, this comes down to priorities and accountability. I want Connecticut government focused on affordable electricity, reliable infrastructure and public safety. After years of one-party control in Hartford, I think it's fair to ask whether we're getting the results we're paying for.
Read the whole artical

The Capitol Ledger delivers analysis of Connecticut policy, government, and politics because the record matters. Click to read The Capitol Ledger on Substack.

08/20/2026

When I was elected in 2024, I promised you that I would be a leader for sound fiscal management in CT, and that’s exactly what I have done.

That’s why I am one of the Legislature’s strongest opponents of SLUSH Funds — hidden, unrecorded pools of money kept apart from official accounts.

This year, the supermajority created the $500 million Governor’s Federal Emergency Response Fund, an “emergency” slush fund to temporarily backfill cuts in federal spending. I supported the goal fully, but it was done in a fiscally irresponsible way - so I voted NO.

The Supermajority’s Slush Fund had good original goals. Changes in federal funding have created uncertainty and unmet needs in our community. State government should step in. I support that goal wholeheartedly.

But the Fund was created OUTSIDE the state’s budgeting process. The Fund will spend $500 million, but as a slush fund, that is not counted toward the state’s spending cap. Huh? There were no public hearings. These important processes were suspended due to an “emergency.” Yet no specific evidence of a financial emergency was offered.

There was not a single identified use of the “emergency” fund. Not one! There was no specific cut identified and no proffered justification for the $500 million set-aside. I know because I asked these questions on the House floor and got no good answers. See below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxPHP_b9XCchttps://www.tinacourpas.com/support

08/20/2026

I am Layne Rodney and I am running for State Rep for the 144th district in Stamford.

I have lived in Stamford for over fifty years. My two daughters went through the Stamford School System and two of my grandchildren are currently enrolled in the Stamford School System.

I am uniquely qualified for the position as I walk my district every day. I am sure you have seen me walking. I am the person wearing the greenish brown hat.

I have two requests for you. Please come out and vote this November. If you can help me with a five-dollar donation or higher, it would be of great help.
https://www.laynefor144.com/

08/18/2026

☀️ Join us for the Stamford RTC End of Summer Soirée! 🇺🇸

Come enjoy a summer evening with friends, neighbors, and fellow Stamford Republicans at Sign of the Whale!

📅 Wednesday, August 26th
🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Sign of the Whale
🥂 Light refreshments will be provided, with a cash bar available.

Everyone is welcome — bring a friend and come spend the evening with us!

🇺🇸 Stronger Together. Better Together.