State Senators and State Representatives across Connecticut were surprised even startled Saturday morning to find Connecticut State Police Officers at their door to hand deliver a “Proclamation From His Excellency The Governor” to return to session on June 30th.

“I think it’s a poor use of vital resource of our public safety officers to deliver to one hundred and eighty seven legislators official notices of a special session when they already received the notice on Thursday by e-mail. In addition most media already reported about the special session” said State Representative Brenda Kupchick from the 132nd District. Some of the officials we spoke to were uncertain who may have initiated the special delivery. Some speculated it may have been from the Secretary of the State or the Governor himself. I call both offices but have not heard back from them at the time of this writing. No one knew if this type of special delivery is mandated for special session or for notifications without seven days notification. All legislators received an e-mail on Thursday through the same e-mail notification when they are informed for hearings and other official meetings.

It is uncertain how much this may have cost the state to have state police officers hand deliver these proclamations on a Saturday or if any overtime pay may have been involved. I tried to contact State Police Spokesperson Lieutenant Paul Vance but did not hear back from him. We do know that most of the officers were pulled off their assignments and investigations for the deliveries. One officer who did not want to be identified was investigating the freak accident that took the life of a woman when a bolt from a dump truck struck her car in Greenwich. Every one we spoke to agreed that they were surprised at the expense this may have cost the state, wondering if it may have been more cost effective to have it delivered next day by the United States Postal Service or even Federal Expense. This does conflict with Governor Malloy’s statement of February 10, 2011: ”I’m going to be talking to people all across the state about my plan for a more streamlined and efficient Connecticut state government.”

“I am disappointed that the budget is now saddled with a $2 billion gap, I voted against the budget and fought hard against it’s passage due to its tax increases and lack of spending cuts. If we have to work through the summer in making this right I will do it” said State Representative Tony Hwang of the 134th district. I did attempt to contact Democratic Representatives in our DoingItLocal.com area like Kim Fawcett, Auden Grogins and Richard Roy on their home phone but have not heard back from them. We could not leave a message on Representative Charlie Stallworth’s phone number. He did accept my friend request Facebook but did not reply back to my private message to him.

Again, in the Governor’s statement on February 10, 2011 he says “I’m asking the people of Connecticut to do more with less, and we in state government need to, as well. I’ve reduced my own staff in the Governor’s Office by 15 percent, and I’m proposing to reduce the number of budgeted state agencies by 30 percent,” said Gov. Malloy. Is this an oversight? Everyone we spoke to thought the use of e-mail to inform them of special sessions and committee meetings work effectively at little expense.     ©2011 DoingItLocal.com