Gov. Ned Lamont and the legislature still struggle at times to figure out what the other is about.
Martin M. Looney
Posted inMoney
Senate leader pitches new state property tax on high-value homes
The state Senate’s highest-ranking Democrat proposed new taxes on high-value homes and the capital gains of Connecticut’s highest earners.
Posted inPolitics
For Democrats and labor, tolls are a family fight
Democrats say settling on a transportation financing plan is key to the state’s economic growth. It also is important to their relationship with labor.
Posted inMoney
Top Democrats unite behind Lamont on truck tolls
Senate Democrats unequivocally backed the governor for the first time on transportation funding.
Posted inTransportation
Lamont rebuffed on tolls by Senate Democrats
Senate Democrats effectively took highway tolls off the table Wednesday.
Posted inTransportation
With GOP on sidelines, Senate Dems cool to CT2030
Gov. Ned Lamont’s CT2030 plan has no champion in the Senate, but he’ll pitch them on Wednesday.
Posted inTransportation
Lamont commutes to the Senate GOP to pitch CT 2030
Gov. Ned Lamont pitched to the GOP sweet spot, highlighting what his transportation proposal would mean for Metro-North commuters.
Posted inPolitics
Looney hedges on confirming David Lehman to DECD
The leader of the Connecticut Senate cast a chill Tuesday over the nomination of Goldman Sachs partner David Lehman as commissioner of economic and community development.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Advocates for marijuana sales point to big economic boost
Advocates for legalizing recreational marijuana use in Connecticut — and taxing its sales — are hoping a holistic, economic argument will win the day this year. Supporters say the potential to bolster the state’s tourism industry, create jobs, and even encourage young professionals to locate here, should attract votes for an issue that couldn’t get a vote in the House or Senate in 2017.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Concessions draw Democrats’ praise, Republicans’ skepticism
Top Democrats in the House and Senate praised the deal and said trying to close a $5.1 billion deficit in the next budget without the $1.5 billion in potential savings from concessions would be the worst-case scenario. But their GOP counterparts had a very different perspective.
Posted inCities & Towns, Money, Politics
Looney wants half-penny sales tax option for cities and towns
Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney of New Haven called Friday for an optional local sales tax increase to help cities and towns control property tax rates. This would add a local surcharge of one-half of 1 percentage point to the existing 6.35 percent state sales tax.
Posted inPolitics
Progressives struggle to regain momentum on labor bills
The Democratic leader of the evenly divided state Senate led the kickoff Thursday of an uphill campaign to raise the $10.10 minimum wage to $15 on Jan. 1, 2022, and also make Connecticut the fifth state in the U.S. to enact a worker-funded insurance program of paid medical leave.
Posted inPolitics
Senators face a tough session but open with collegiality
Republican leader Len Fasano said a power-sharing agreement between the parties in the evenly divided chamber was rooted in the friendship he has with Democratic leader Martin Looney, which dates back more than 30 years.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics
As the 2017 legislative session opens: What to know
The 2017 legislative session begins today, kicking off a five-month frenzy as lawmakers work to craft a budget in the face of bleak fiscal problems and debate topics ranging from school funding to legalizing pot. Here’s a look at what to expect.
Posted inPolitics
Looney says his kidney function is normal after transplant
Sen. President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, said in a telephone interview Thursday night that post-operative blood tests show that the kidney transplanted Tuesday from his friend, Superior Court Judge Brian T. Fischer, is functioning well.