“Today the Federal Government released the latest unemployment numbers.  We are disappointed, but not surprised, to see that unemployment went up again slightly in August showing that the economy is not improving.  The continued lack of strength in the economy is evidence that the tax, borrow, and spend policies in Washington and Hartford that got us into this mess won’t get us out.  Working families need jobs and more economic security, not more taxes and government spending as proposed by Dan Malloy and Nancy Wyman.  Our federal and state governments need to stop charging up debts on our children and start adopting policies that support employers and job creators.  Until they do, we can expect continued softness in the economy and further pain for American workers and their families.”

As a candidate for governor Tom Foley has promised to balance the state budget and restore the economy without tax increases. In fact, he believes fundamentally that the worst thing we can do in the current economic environment is raise taxes on Connecticut working families.

By contrast, in the last twenty-four hours both Democrat Dannel Malloy and his running mate, Nancy Wyman have signaled they think raising the sales tax might be a good idea (CT Mirror – Keith Phaneuf) and that more borrowing may be needed (CT News Junkie – Christine Stuart) to balance the budget.

Tom Foley on Balancing the Budget

“Taking more money out of the hands of working families and increasing the debt burden on our children is the worst thing we can do right now for restoring jobs and rebuilding the state’s economy,” Tom Foley said in response to this morning’s news accounts. “The failed policies of tax, borrow, and spend are what got us into this mess. Continuing with them will dig us into an even deeper hole. Dan and Nancy are career politicians who reflexively look to new taxes and borrowing to solve budget problems, but that game is over. More taxes and more borrowing at this time is reckless and runs the risk of taking Connecticut and our working families over the cliff.”

Dan is no shrinking violet when it comes to raising taxes. In 2007, Malloy enthusiastically embraced a plan to raise the state income tax – across the board – by more than $500 million so the city of Stamford would have more to spend. He never considered cutting Stamford’s spending to balance the books. While Mayor of Stamford, Stamford’s property taxes rose some 80% with increases in nearly every year he was in office.

In 2008, faced with a possible reduction in state aid of $2 million, he warned residents that he would be proposing a city budget with “significant (property) tax increases” to make up the difference (Stamford Advocate – 2/29/08). Again, Malloy did not even consider the possibility of reducing government spending as a way to keep the budget in balance.

“Dannel Malloy doesn’t realize that the tax, borrow, and spend days in Connecticut are over. Like most career politicians, he is afraid to reduce spending and will always look to more taxes to solve budget problems. That will present a clear choice for voters in November. But Dannell owes it to the voters to tell them now whose taxes will be raised and by how much.” said Justin Clark, campaign manager for Tom Foley for Governor.

“Forty-seven years ago yesterday, Martin Luther King delivered his rousing and historic speech in Washington.

He was a powerful, motivating speaker and leader who had a dream of making America a better place – A place that delivered its promises to everyone.

He talked about cashing a check, collecting on the obligations that were owed, and he talked about the force of ideas and he called for dignity and discipline along the way.

His noble dream and noble instructions have helped lead America to a better place.

But the job is not done.

Injustices remain. Right here in Connecticut, the wealthiest state in the nation, promises remain unfulfilled. Two come to mind:

• First, there is not enough economic opportunity in our cities which falls disproportionately on our minority communities, and;

• Second, we are not delivering on our commitment to provide a good education for all of our young people – this, too, falls disproportionately on our minority communities
  

I have a dream, too. I dream that Connecticut will abandon the failed policies of the past – the tax, borrow, and spend policies that have got us into this uncomfortable place.

These failed policies are so burdensome on individuals and employers that those who can are leaving this state.

These failed policies don’t adequately prepare our inner city youth with the skills and experience to find a good job and enjoy the opportunity America promises.

Instead, we have inexcusable rates of poverty in our inner cities and a horrifying rate of youth on youth crime.

I have a dream that Connecticut can change course and head in a better direction. A direction that corrects these injustices.

I want Connecticut heading in a direction that reverses the devastating loss of jobs across our state.

I want Connecticut heading in a direction that reverses the abysmal performance of too many of our inner city schools.

I know what we must do. I have a plan for getting it done. I hope in the weeks ahead to convince you and other voters in Connecticut that I am the person who can lead Connecticut in that new direction. 

I am running for Governor because I want Connecticut to fulfill all its promises. I am the candidate who will provide the change we need.  With your help and support, I look forward to leading our state to a more promising future.

Thank you.”

Dear Fellow Veteran:

As you may know, Iraq Veterans For Congress (IVC) helps Iraq and Afghanistan veterans get elected to high office. Today however, I want to express the organization’s deep appreciation for an extraordinary civilian running for Governor of Connecticut who served in Iraq in a crucial government position.

Prior to serving as US Ambassador to Ireland and running for Governor, Tom Foley was asked by the White House to deploy his considerable business and management experience in Iraq. Foley’s task was to help reestablish a free enterprise system in Iraq after decades of Saddam Hussein and his brutal henchman running the economy.

Foley spent a year in country laying the foundation for economic growth by helping Iraqi entrepreneurs and small merchants build and expand their businesses. Frequently Foley and his team donned helmets and flak jackets and went outside the wire where they dodged small arms fire and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks. For his work, Foley was awarded the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award.
Tom Foley is truly a unique individual. I don’t know any other Harvard grads in their fifties with no military experience who left comfortable executive positions to answer the call when the country needed them to serve in a ferocious combat zone.

Foley’s service in Iraq is an indication of his patriotism, physical courage and devotion to the free enterprise system that has made the United States the most prosperous country in history.

I encourage you to read more about Tom Foley and his plan to get Connecticut working again at: www.TomFoley2010.com

Finally, please forward this email to your friends and relatives.

Sincerely,

Kieran Michael Lalor
Marine Corps Veteran, Operation Iraqi Freedom

Founder, Iraq Vets For Congress

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Iraq Veterans for Congress PAC (IVC) is a federally registered political action committee supporting the congressional campaigns of veterans. IVC looks for veterans who are determined to become a voice for our troops, military families, and hardworking patriotic Americans who believe that our country, our Constitution and our way of life are worth fighting for. www.IraqVetsForCongress.com

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Tom Foley is a respected business leader with over 25 years experience as a business owner and executive. Tom started from scratch and made his own way in business. Tom has an undergraduate degree in Economics from Harvard and a MBA from Harvard Business School. From October of 2006 until January of 2009 he was the United States Ambassador to Ireland. In 2003 and 2004, the White House asked Tom to serve in Iraq re-establishing a strong private sector economy. As Governor, Foley has a plan to reduce state spending, lower the tax-burden on Connecticut’s working families and make Hartford more transparent and more responsive to the will of the people of Connecticut.

“We are one of only two states that since 1989 has had no job growth. One of the reasons we have had this shameful job performance is the steady flow of business unfriendly policies coming out of our state legislature over the last two decades and our unresponsive state government.  Connecticut must change direction and implement policies that support employers and encourage hiring. Only when we have done that will we see the real job recovery and strong economic growth Connecticut families need and deserve. Making Connecticut friendlier to employers and creating jobs will be priority number one in a Foley administration. 

“Connecticut is in an economic crisis. Our citizens are looking for new leadership and new policies that will change the direction of our state, bring back jobs, and restore our economy.

I have been traveling the state for over a year talking about how we will do just that. I say that task number one is putting an end to the policies that are driving jobs out of Connecticut because it is harder to create a new job than to keep from losing one we already have.

Keeping the sub base in Groton is essential to preserving jobs in Connecticut and it is something I will begin working on immediately to achieve.

Connecticut’s future rests on restoring the historic strength of our state’s economy. My candidacy is all about restoring jobs and regaining a secure economic future for Connecticut working families. I will be the Governor who brings more jobs, not more government, to Connecticut.

Stemming job losses in Connecticut and investing in our state’s future will be job number one in a Foley administration. I cannot think of a better place to get started than right here, and right now, in Groton.”

“The vote by the Democrat controlled legislature today is indicative of the game playing that has been going on in Hartford for far too long.  Today the legislature arbitrarily handed out an additional $3 million dollars to Dan Malloy – on top of the $5.25 million dollars they have already given to him –  in an attempt to buy this year’s gubernatorial election for their party,” said Justin Clark, Campaign Manager for Tom Foley for Governor. “It is appalling that at a time of great need and sacrifice among the people of Connecticut that our public servants are willing to throw even more taxpayer money to win an election.  Voters are concerned about this old school , machine-style politics being employed by the legislature and should be very concerned if Dan Malloy is the only person there to protect the people of Connecticut from it.”

I will be reaching out to my Republican opponents in the next few days to solicit their support for my campaign. Despite the energetic campaigning of the last few weeks, the relationships between us behind the scenes have been friendly and respectful. Mike and Oz share the same concerns for Connecticut’s future as I do. I have learned from both of them. I hope to get their advice and guidance during the campaign and after I am elected Governor.

My message to voters during the primary campaign has been clear and it will not change in the general election campaign. I represent the change Connecticut’s citizens want in their leadership and their state’s direction. The tax and spend policies of the past have not worked. We need no more proof than the fact that we have fewer jobs here than 20 years ago – the worst record of any state in the union – and more jobs leave every day. We face a fiscal crisis from excessive spending that would have been unimaginable only several years ago. We need a change indirection. We need to do more to create jobs and build back our economy. We need to cut back the size and cost of our state government. We need to support, not step-on, our employers, our hard working citizens, and our towns. We need a responsive and helpful government – not one that ties us up. We need to stop spending thoughtlessly and start following a common sense plan that will work. We need to stop wasting money and start investing in our schools, our transportation infrastructure, our economy, and our future.

We don’t have a choice – we simply cannot afford to keep doing what we are doing.

Turning things around isn’t complicated, but it won’t be easy. We need to change attitudes and the culture in the legislature and executive branch. This will take strong leadership. It will take someone willing to make politically tough decisions and hold the line against those who want to keep things as they are.

It will take a consensus builder. Someone who can break through the partisanship. Someone with a vision and a road map for getting us heading in the right direction. Someone who can persuade those standing in the way that the tough decisions will pay-off. Someone who is guided by principle and willing to fight for the long term interests of our state.

I am that candidate. I have the skills and the will to get the job done. I have been turning around businesses for 25 years gaining the skills and experience that Connecticut needs now.

Tomorrow morning is the first day of the general election campaign. Tomorrow morning I will be back on the road fighting for the future of Connecticut. I can already see the choice voters will have in the fall:

• Reform – or more of the same
• Leaner, more affordable government – or bigger, more intrusive government
• A lightening of the taxpayers’ load – or ever larger taxes on Connecticut families
• People working together to solve problems – or people being pitted against each other
• Candor and accountability – or game playing and accounting gimmicks

November 2 is only 83 days away. I believe in Connecticut. I know we can get our state headed in the right direction – but we need the right leadership. I will provide that leadership.

Tonight, I am asking for your support and your vote in the November election. If I don’t have it yet, I look forward to earning it in the 83 days ahead. Working together we can fix this great state.

Thank you, everyone, from the bottom of my heart for this great victory tonight.