State officials will move forward Tuesday with new constitutional language to protect transportation spending, despite warnings Monday from one of Connecticut’s staunchest “lockbox” advocates that a hurried approach could lead to trouble.
December 7, 2015
Posted inPolitics
Himes, Courtney tell GOP to keep Syrian refugee policy out of budget bill
WASHINGTON — U.S. Reps. Joe Courtney and Jim Himes. Democrats who gave the Republican Party a veto-proof majority on a bill that would suspend Syrian and Iraqi refugee admissions, are now demanding the bill’s language be left out of a massive budget bill.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
CT deficit plan taps many special funds and one-time sources
While the General Assembly is expected to adopt a plan in special session Tuesday to close most or all of this fiscal year’s budget deficit, restore some funds for hospitals and finance modest business tax breaks, almost 40 percent of the plan diverts resources from specialized funds and various one-time sources.
Posted inPolitics
Malloy steps into spotlight, and line of fire, at DGA
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, an outspoken Democrat on the hot-button issues of immigration, gun control and gay marriage, began a one-year term Monday as the voice of the Democratic Governors Association — and the target of the Republican Governors Association.
Posted inEducation
Auditors find shortcoming in regents’ central office
State auditors have found that the Board of Regents’ central office did not follow several state laws created to protect the public college system from improprieties and mismanagement.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Connecticut must continue push toward education equity
In recent years, Connecticut’s leaders have taken some much-needed steps towards ensuring every child gets a high-quality public education. As Congress takes up the latest iteration of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), a bipartisan bill named the “Every Student Succeeds Act” that would repeal some provisions in ‘No Child Left Behind,’ we urge the state to continue progress on the policies that can push Connecticut closer to education equity.
Posted inMoney
Connecticut’s courtship of GE goes beyond taxes
General Electric’s threat to leave Connecticut has morphed from a narrow complaint over taxes to a broader conversation with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy about economic stability in a state with a sputtering cash flow, high per-capita debt and worsening pension obligations.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Funding for humanities good investment for Connecticut
Once again, Gov. Dannel Malloy and the legislature are looking to close a budget gap by choosing among dozens of worthy, state-supported programs and services, and Connecticut Humanities is – once again — in a fight for its fiscal life. So why should you care? Here’s why:
Posted inMoney, Politics
Transportation financing precarious despite new revenue
Despite the recent infusion of sales tax receipts, Connecticut’s transportation program could be in deficit by mid-2018, according to nonpartisan analysts. And while Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration believes the Special Transportation Fund will remain in the black through 2020 — albeit by a razor-thin margin — nonpartisan analysts cite several problems, including surging debt and pension costs and downgraded expectations for fuel tax revenues.