Jacqueline Rabe

The Democratic race for comptroller continued along its rocky path Friday, with Waterbury Mayor Mike Jarjura on the receiving end of three hits.

First, a YouTube video surfaced of the Democrat speaking at a Tea Party rally. Read more

Gov. M. Jodi Rell notified lawmakers Thursday that she will veto any proposal to fix the state's public campaign finance system if it includes increasing the grant amounts.

The legislature's Democratic leaders say increasing the grants is essential to preserve the system, but they're not sure they have the votes to override a veto. Read more

Apart from the big-money races for governor and U.S. Senate, nearly a dozen major party candidates are vying for statewide office on the underticket, and in these contests, most Democrats are operating with far larger bank accounts than their Republican opponents. Read more

For the second time since the Citizens' Election Program was launched in 2008, participation in General Assembly primaries is higher than in previous years, and advocates say that's proof that public campaign financing invigorates the system.

But while the number of primary candidates has increased slightly from two years ago, the number seeking public financing of their campaigns has declined--possibly the result of legal challenges to the system. Read more

The Connecticut Humane Society has rejected a request by state lawmakers to stop euthanizing animals for non-health reasons until it answers their questions about how and when animals are destroyed.

At issue, according to the lawmakers, is who is administering the lethal dose of sodium pentobarbital, how it is administered and why so many animals are being euthanized under the auspices of 'behavioral' problems.

"We believe you have been given a great deal of misinformation," Christopher White, the society's president, wrote June 23 to Democratic Reps. Diana S. Urban of Stonington and Annie Hornish of Granby and Sen. Edith Prague of Columbia, calling its policies "responsible and appropriate." Read more

The recession in Connecticut is lasting long enough to generate a grim new statistic: unemployment benefits expired this year for 15,687 jobless residents, a number that swells each week by an estimated 500 persons.

"This is new to us," said Nancy Steffens, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Labor.

Fearing unrest as thousands began to lose benefits in May, the state quietly stationed a half-dozen police officers at unemployment offices for confrontations that never came. Read more

Republican Oz Griebel has a long way to go in his quest to become governor, but already he's mastered one skill: irking state legislators.

Griebel says the state has to change the way it provides benefits to retirees, starting with elected and appointed officials-particularly members of the part-time General Assembly.

"If you want to throw your hat in the ring, let's make sure it's about serving the state and not how it helps your benefits plan," Griebel said. Read more

An inadequate computer system is jeopardizing efforts to investigate accusations of abuse or neglect of adults with mental retardation, state auditors say.

"Some cases could be lost and deadlines are definitely at-risk of not being met," State Auditor Kevin P. Johnston said. Read more

For much of the last legislative session, debate over extending Medicaid coverage to childless adults focused on the bottom line for the state: more than $50 million in federal reimbursement for assistance the state already is providing.

But putting recipients of State Administered General Assistance under the Medicaid umbrella, approved this week in Washington, also means elimination of a flawed system that shortchanged both the poor and the doctors who cared for them, advocates of the move say.

"Basically, SAGA is being put in the dustbin of history, where it richly belongs," said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, a vocal proponent of the health care overhaul. Read more