The Office of the Attorney General William Tong
2002 Formal Opinions
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On October 9, 2002, the Freedom of Information Commission (Commission) ruled that the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) was not required to disclose to the public eight documents in CRRA's possession which were the subject of an April 17, 2002, and an April 23, 2002 Freedom of Information Complaint filed by Paul A. Green and the Journal Inquirer. According to the Commission, the eight documents in question either constitute attorney-client communications or relate to CRRA's possible litigation strategy to recover the $220 million loaned to Enron and are, therefore, exempt from public disclosure pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §§1-210(b)(10) and 1-210(b)(4). By letter dated October 11, 2002, you have asked me to obtain from CRRA the eight documents that have not yet been disclosed and release them to the public.
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This is in response to your letter dated August 27, 2001, in which you request our opinion on whether the Department of Economic and Community Development ("DECD") is a "public housing agency" within the purview of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ("Housing Act"), 42 U.S.C. § 1437 et seq., and, therefore, is an entity able to participate as a public housing agency in programs authorized under the Housing Act.
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This is in response to your recent request for an opinion on whether the Division of Special Revenue (DOSR) must review and approve the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Commission's Cashless Wagering System (CWS) for slot machines proposed for use at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, in advance of implementation.
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You have requested an opinion concerning the validity of certain claims of testimonial privilege asserted by officials of the State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) subpoenaed to testify at a hearing of the Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees ("Joint Committee").
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Honorable Denise L. Nappier, Treasurer, 2002-004 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut
You have requested an opinion regarding the ownership and management of approximately 2.2 million shares of Anthem, Inc. stock recently distributed to the State of Connecticut, as a result of the demututalization of Anthem Insurance Company ("AIC"). You raise the question of the State's "ownership of, and, therefore, [your] authority to receive and manage these assets" in light of legal challenges to the State's ownership currently pending.
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You have asked for an evaluation of the constitutionality of the Governor's Executive Order No. 26, issued April 12, 2002 ("Executive Order"), with respect to large-scale gas and electric transmission facilities.
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This is in response to your request for an opinion on whether a certain bill, proposed in last year’s legislative session, and which is expected to be proposed again, would conflict with the Tribal/State agreements or Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribes concerning the operations of the two casinos in Connecticut. The bill would allow businesses to conduct games of chance under certain circumstances.
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Honorable Nancy Wyman, Comptroller, 2002-019 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut
You have requested an opinion as to whether the Governor has the authority, pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §4-96, to increase the Banking Department’s (the "Department") fiscal year 2002 budget by $3.193 million for expenses associated with the proposed relocation of the Department, including building renovations and new furniture.
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You have asked for our opinion regarding the State Marshal Commission’s authority to investigate and, if appropriate, withdraw the appointment of a state marshal for improper conduct engaged in prior to December 1, 2000.
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In your letter of June 17, 2002, you requested that I issue an opinion regarding whether the $12,000.00 annual cap on compensation for members of the Connecticut Siting Council (Council) contained in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-50j (f) is a limit on total compensation or only compensation for attending hearings.
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Senator Sullivan and Jepsen, State Capitol, 2002-021 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut
You have asked for an opinion regarding the provision of § 17b-8(a) of the General Statutes, under which the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services ("Commissioner") is required to submit applications for waivers of federal assistance program requirements to the Joint Committee on Appropriations and the Joint Committee on Human Services ("Joint Committees").
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This is in response to your question as to whether the Compact between the Mohegan Tribe and the State of Connecticut allows off-track betting and viewing of races from hotel rooms at the Mohegan Sun Casino utilizing hotel telephones and television sets.
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You have asked for a formal opinion concerning the community behavioral health treatment program being developed at Natchaug Hospital in Mansfield, CT.
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Your office has asked whether the recent injunction regarding Connecticut's Sexual Offender Registration Act (SORA) issued by the United States District Court of Connecticut, and upheld by the Second Circuit, impedes in any way the implementation of Public Act 01-211, concerning victim notification. That Act requires victim notification of applications for exemption from the Sex Offender Registry or its notification requirements.
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You have requested our opinion as to whether certain provisions of the retirement plan for state employees are preempted by federal law. In particular, you inquire as to the enforceability of state statutory and contractual provisions prohibiting those who qualify for military pensions from purchasing retirement credit for military service during war or national emergency.