Hartford Courant Editorial on Federal Foreclosure Funds

Unfair Allocation
Foreclosure Aid • State plan would direct federal money to too few towns
Published: November 30, 2008

U.S. Rep. Joseph D. Courtney is on firm ground in objecting to the way state officials plan to allocate $25 million in federal funds sent to Connecticut to shore up neighborhoods hit hard by home foreclosures and abandonments.

Under a plan drafted by the state Department of Economic and Community Development, the lion's share of the money would go to only seven of the state's largest cities — none of which are in Mr. Courtney's distressed district in eastern Connecticut. Under the federal law, states or localities are to use the money to buy foreclosed homes and rehabilitate them to restore property values in struggling neighborhoods.

It appears that the DECD draft proposal would allocate the money based on the largest numbers of foreclosures and delinquencies and not, as the law seems to require, on the greatest percentage of foreclosures in areas of need. Mr. Courtney noted last week that towns like Plainfield, which is in his district and has the highest rate of foreclosures in the state, are out of luck under the DECD proposal.

Towns with high foreclosure rates are every bit as fragile as big cities with higher raw numbers of foreclosures. Mr. Courtney was right to urge Gov. M. Jodi Rell to "reallocate the money so that eastern Connecticut towns are able to rebound from the foreclosure crisis as well."

A more equitable distribution of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program money would include cities with high numbers of foreclosures as well as smaller municipalities with the highest foreclosure rates.

The UConn Daily Campus Endorses Joe Courtney

Joe Courtney will continue tradition of fighting for college students, higher education
The UConn Daily Campus, 11/3/08

In the race for Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District there are two highly qualified candidates. The incumbent, Joe Courtney, has a record of serving the area's constituents and has had two years of experience. The challenger, Sean Sullivan, served as base commander to the Groton naval base and was instrumental in the effort to keep the base from closing. Both understand the importance of higher education and both are committed to finding solutions to the current economic crisis.

However, through his leadership on the House Education and Armed Forces committees, Joe Courtney has distinguished himself, and it is with this in mind that we endorse him. Courtney understands the difficult financial burden that college poses today and has been a great supporter of increased Pell grants. In addition, Courtney supported the College Cost Reduction Act, which make higher education more affordable for students. Along this same line, the congressman has also pledged to support Sen. Barack Obama's plan to give tax credits to middle class families who are helping their children pay for college.

In addition to being committed to higher education, Courtney is also committed to building up Connecticut through the creation of more affordable housing and the lowering of debt for critical professions, specifically nurses and teachers who are greatly needed in this state.

Beyond this, Courtney has also shown himself to be what in these times may seem like an oxymoron - an honorable politician. When elected in 2006, Courtney promised not to take the Congressional health care plan, to which he was entitled, until every American had health insurance. To date, Courtney has continued to opt out of the health care program, instead purchasing his own health insurance, much to the chagrin others, including his wife.

In all, Courtney has had an impressive start to his congressional career - a career that we believe ought to last into 2010, and beyond.

Norwich Bulletin Endorses Joe Courtney

Our View: Courtney has done the job
Norwich Bulletin: November 2, 2008

Two years ago, Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney pledged to the people of Connecticut’s 2nd Congressional District that if given the opportunity to serve in Congress, he’d get up every morning and work as hard as he could on their behalf.

There is ample evidence he has fulfilled that pledge, and he is deserving of re-election.

Courtney understands the importance of the region’s military infrastructure. From his position on the Armed Services Committee, he obtained the necessary funding to increase submarine production at Electric Boat, thus preserving critical manufacturing jobs in Eastern Connecticut. He also secured vital funding for enhancements at the U.S. submarine base in Groton.

Courtney gets it
He understands his district is home to the largest number of veterans per capita than any other congressional district in the state. Working with his colleagues on the Veterans Affairs Committee, Courtney was instrumental in securing additional and enhanced veterans’ benefits.

He understands the vital role of higher education, particularly in a district that is home to many colleges and universities. As a member of the Education and Labor Committee, Courtney was instrumental in reducing college costs, increasing opportunities and making universities more accountable. He also was a key player in the enactment of a new GI Bill for veterans returning home from our wars.

Committed to ensuring health care access and affordability is available to all, Courtney has fought for a better health care system.

Courtney narrowly won election to Congress in 2006 — an 83-vote margin — and now faces challenges from two candidates in his first re-election bid.

Voters have a choice
Republican challenger Sean Sullivan and Green Party candidate G. Scott Deshefy have provided spirited campaigns, giving voters a choice this election year.

Deshefy’s candidacy, however, is more of an effort to secure major party status for the Greens in future elections.

Sullivan’s position regarding the war in Afghanistan — remove all troops and wage the war on terror from ships offshore — and a harsh, line-in-the-sand stance on immigration are positions we believe are unreflective of the majority in Eastern Connecticut.

Sullivan has based his campaign on Courtney’s voting record, noting the freshman lawmaker has voted consistently with his Democratic leadership — 98.2 percent of the time — thus contributing to the highly charged partisanship in Washington that has stalled more legislative action than it has produced. Sullivan presents a legitimate issue worthy of voters’ consideration, especially if — as polls suggest — Democrats will increase majorities in both chambers and take control of the White House.

Courtney demonstrated his independence and leadership in rejecting the economic bailout measure — twice. We hope to see more of that independence in the next term.

Courtney fulfilled the pledge he made two years ago to the people of Eastern Connecticut. We endorse his re-election.

The issue: Three candidates are seeking election in Connecticut’s 2nd Congressional District.

Our view: Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney has served the district well and is deserving of re-election.