Governor Rell calls for tighter reins on garbage industry

Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell has requested the creation of a new state agency to regulate the trash-hauling business and eradicate any ties to organized crime. After a recent federal investigation led to the arrests of businessman James Galante and alleged mob boss Matthew Ianniello, Rell asked the departments of Public Safety, Consumer Protection and Public Health to develop guidelines for establishing a solid waste authority. "This is an industry clearly in need of more oversight, and an authority must be put in place to reform the way the trash-hauling business operates in our state," Rell said in a statement released by her office. The new authority would issue licenses to all garbage companies and run criminal background checks on all haulers.