The General Assembly moved fitfully through the last day of its 2014 session Wednesday, as the Senate offered six hours of tributes to departing leaders, and House Republicans voiced at length their opposition to a fracking waste bill, preludes to a final burst of deals and votes before midnight adjournment.
May 7, 2014 @ 11:57 pm
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics
Breaking down a 300-page ‘implementer’ bill
Many policies get created or changed through an end-of-session bill known as an implementer — a voluminous piece of legislation needed to enact the policy changes that go with the state budget. It also typically holds a wide range of other amendments added by the party in power. Here’s what’s in this year’s implementer.
Posted inPolitics
Courtney tussles with GOP lawmaker over fast food wages at military bases
Washington – Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, Wednesday took on Rep. Scott Rigell of Virginia and other Republicans who want to stop a hike in the minimum wage for restaurant workers on the nation’s military bases.
Posted inMoney, Politics
State to design retirement plan for private-sector workers
Connecticut took a major step forward toward offering a state-administered retirement plan for private-sector workers, similar to the 401(k) plans offered by many businesses.
Posted inHealth, Politics
‘Facility fees’ for state employees to get more scrutiny
Facility fees charged to patients covered by the state employee and retiree health plan will get increased scrutiny under a proposal expected to pass the General Assembly.
Posted inMoney
Lawmakers launch two-year study of Connecticut tax system
This policy change would launch a two-year overhaul of Connecticut’s $16 billion-a-year tax system – a move some legislators have predicted could be the most dramatic overhaul of state finances since the income tax was enacted 23 years ago.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Health IT agency getting axed
The quasi-public agency set up to promote the use of electronic medical records is being eliminated as part of budget implementation legislation that’s expected to pass the General Assembly.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Will CT keep sharing casino revenues with towns after the election?
The bill ends a requirement that cities and towns share in the proceeds from video slots from the state’s two casinos.
Posted inMoney, Politics
New limit placed on judges’ pensions
One of the late additions to the implementer was a change in how pensions are computed for judges who retire after less than 10 years of service — a reaction to the recent appointment of a politically prominent judge, Anthony V. Avallone, 66, who will who get a $100,000 pension after less than four years of service.
Posted inPolitics
Sikorsky signs contract for presidential ‘copters
Washington – It was expected but now it’s official. Sikorsky signed a contract with the Marines Wednesday to build the next Marine One, a huge transport helicopter used by the White House.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Op-ed: Common Core raises question: Who is in charge of education?
The Common Core standards were built on the foundation of No Child Left Behind, which has been a complete failure in many ways.
Posted inPolitics
Sharkey’s property tax compromise dies in the Senate
House Speaker J. Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, made a last-ditch effort Wednesday to pass a compromise version of his bill to limit the property-tax exemption for non-profit institutions, but it died amid an ice-cold reception from senators and red-hot opposition from colleges.
Posted inEducation
Changing kindergarten entrance age: Fifth plan the charm?
Once again, the legislature will consider changing the age children must be to enter kindergarten — a proposal that has been made many times before but has never resulted in a change in state law.
Posted inEducation
$522 M heading for school construction
The bill includes language that requires school construction projects to reflect the safety guidelines approved after the Sandy Hook shootings.
Posted inPolitics
Scott Brown to help raise campaign cash for Debicella
Washington – Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown will headline a fundraiser for fellow Republican Dan Debicella, who is challenging Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District.