Washington — Lawmakers who spar over everything from environmental regulations to taxes came together Monday evening during a vigil on Capitol Hill for the victims of the Newtown massacre. Held in the ornate Senate Kennedy Caucus room and organized by the offices of Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., the vigil gave lawmakers, […]
December 17, 2012 @ 12:00 am
Newtown tragedy emerges as a concern in state budget talks
The tragedy in Newtown became part of the deficit-mitigation debate late Monday as some legislators questioned suggested reductions to state agencies serving people with mental illnesses and those with developmental disabilities. And though no final decisions on legislation to address the deficit are expected before Wednesday’s special session, those who brought questions to the House […]
Public tears as governor describes ending parents’ wait
He came close Sunday on CNN. It finally happened Monday afternoon at the State Capitol: Gov. Dannel P. Malloy publicly wept for the first time since the mass murders Friday of 26 students and staff at an elementary school in Newtown. In a press conference, Malloy was asked how it fell to him Friday to […]
Gun advocates in Congress silent, cede ground after school tragedy
Washington — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, no friend to gun control, promised “in the coming days and weeks” to consider legislation that would tighten gun laws. “Part of the healing process will require Congress to examine what could be done to prevent more tragedies…,” said Reid, D-Nev. in a Monday speech of condolences to […]
Grieving in Newtown
Newtown — The sidewalk on this little street corner, just down the hill from Sandy Hook Elementary School, is so overrun with mementos that bystanders have been pushed onto the road. Mourners have left bouquets of roses, candles and posters with words of prayer — and the names of 27 victims. Children have tucked stuffed […]
Deal to trim deficit hits hospitals and businesses, cuts bonuses for senior state workers
State legislative leaders and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration have struck a tentative bipartisan deal to reduce the state budget deficit by cutting aid to hospitals, ending longevity bonuses to senior, non-union state workers and scaling back business tax credits, sources said Monday. The deal would order other cuts and launch new income tax fraud […]
State budget talks press on though there are no ‘easy choices’
State officials who toiled behind closed doors last week trying to close a shortfall in the current budget described it as a task like no other in recent history. And while they took comfort Friday afternoon that bipartisan commitment to a solution remained strong, they also conceded that the challenge, at times, has been painstakingly […]
Will Connecticut lawmakers walk off fiscal cliff?
Washington — If the White House and Republicans in Congress can come up with a deal to avoid a fiscal cliff, the vote for the compromise will be one of the toughest for members of the Connecticut delegation. Lawmakers will have to choose between the wishes of their constituents and loyalty to party leaders or […]
A scholarship for the survivors of Sandy Hook
The University of Connecticut has set up a scholarship for the survivors and the siblings of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma and his wife, Kathy, have made an $80,000 lead gift to the fund. “Over this past difficult weekend, Kathy and I gave much consideration to what […]
Connecticut lawmakers sponsor resolution, hold vigil
The U.S. House will consider a resolution tonight sponsored by Connecticut’s House delegation that condemns the Sandy Hook shootings, sends condolences to the families of the victims and praises the police and other responders to the tragedy. The entire Connecticut delegation has also invited all members of the House and Senate to a vigil in […]