May 3, 2010

On paper, Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the legislature’s Democratic majority are very close to a tentative plan to balance the next state budget. In reality, though, one sticking point remains, and according to sources close to both sides, it is arguably the most controversial item in the preliminary, $18.93 billion budget adopted last September […]

Minority Republicans are pushing for legislation to establish a procedure for investigating misconduct complaints against state senators – a move critics say could stall important bills as the legislature nears its deadline. In an attempt to assure their proposal will be heard and debated, Senate Republicans have added it as an amendment to more than […]

Today the General Assembly begins a three-day countdown to its midnight Wednesday adjournment with a calendar crowded with bills deemed largely irrelevant to broad constituencies. Exceptions include an ambitious energy bill, education reforms, efforts to streamline environmental permitting and a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, a chore that brought key legislators and budget […]

NEW BRITAIN — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont introduced Mary Glassman today as his running mate and partner in their campaign to elect a Democratic governor for the first time in 24 years. “Mary’s not going to be just a great lieutenant governor, she’s going to be my full partner as we go forward to […]

The House voted unanimously today to put a searchable database of the state’s checkbook online for public review. The site will mirror a new website launched by a conservative think tank earlier this year. Proponents say it is necessary for the legislature’s non-partisan budget office to launch its own site because of inaccuracies on the […]

A bill aimed at improving the state’s vocational-technical schools is headed for Gov. M. Jodi Rell‘s desk. Rep. Andrew W. Fleischmann, D-West Hartford, co-chairman of the Education Committee said, the bill “addresses all of the shortcomings” at the state’s vo-tech schools. The bill passed unanimously in the House today and in the Senate last week. […]

For the first time in 20 months, state government’s finances are officially in the black. State Comptroller Nancy Wyman reported this afternoon that Connecticut is on pace to finish the fiscal year on June 30 with a $105 million surplus. The change from negative to positive was due largely to a $323 million deficit-mitigation plan […]

The House has rejected the Senate’s attempt to water down a bill requiring that student athletes suspected of suffering a concussion sit out for 24 hours and get a licensed medical professional to clear them before returning. The Senate last week approved an amendment essentially undoing the original intent of the bill by giving coaches […]

The Senate now appears likely to postpone until tomorrow a debate of a major energy bill. With a veto threat from the Rell administration, the proponents of the bill have been trying to shore up support by negotiating changes. Senate staff now says the bill will not go forward tonight. The Senate Democratic majority will […]