The final days, and the big picture

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Week of April 27 to May 3, 2014

The world gets smaller, these final days of a legislative session. Beneath the Capitol’s dome, several hundred folks bear down, vision tunneled, hammering out bills, building or chiseling at measures that affect all 3.6 million of us, one way or another.

The issues are large, some even momentous.  Universal pre-K.  The ability to share the benefits of solar energy (or not).  Forcing changes – through law – in how colleges respond to reports of sexual assault.  Reintroducing – dismissing – then (We really mean it!) rejecting a new form of gambling to help fill state coffers.

These last days, it’s the less-than-momentous things that can matter. Personalities.  If leaders clash.  If a bill has a history, if it’s colored by favors or grudges, all that can matter. But compromises are made and work gets done, before the session adjourns Wednesday at midnight.

In trying to capture all the above, reporters rely, at times, on shorthand.  How to explain the complicated, yin-yang dynamics of a legislative body?  Our Capitol Bureau Chief Friday night explained that so much depended upon a small, red card on a House leader’s board.

Please check www.ctmirror.org for all the news of the final days of the 2014 General Assembly.

A few other highlights of the week:

Connecticut insurers have eyes on Washington

House approves military construction bill, but no money for Groton sub base

New CT budget missing $52M to cover union retirement benefits

Enjoy your weekend.

Jenifer Frank, Mirror Editor