The thrills of public policy (a non-ironic point of view)

And as significant, for some individuals, as:

This week, reporter Keith Phaneuf wrote that House Speaker J. Brendan Sharkey wants to start a discussion next year on, as Phaneuf wrote, “Connecticut’s long-ignored property tax crisis.” Sharkey said the state should consider taking over certain local expenses, such as special education, while discussing a ceiling on property taxes. “This requires an overhaul on a grand scale,” he noted.Friday, health writer Arielle Levin Becker wrote of end-of-life legislation that has attracted the support of some who in the past opposed such measures – people with disabilities and the Catholic Church. This bill would create a pilot program — voluntary and only for patients in certain situations – where patients can determine — and, in fact, order —  what kind of end-of-life care they want.Legislation like this — these public policy measures — can shake and change all of us, WE are the public in public policy.Other strong stories this week:* Even without challengers, CT lawmakers spend millions ‘campaigning’
— with interactive Campaign Spending Explorer

* Proposal to let nurse practitioners practice independently advances

* Beth Bye brings passion, toughness to budget chairmanship

* 2 percent tuition increase hinges on big growth in enrollment  

*  Common Core moves forward; Malloy sets up task force for implementation 

* Feds determine Metro-North put on-time performance before safety