Leaders of the Senate’s Democratic majority announced Thursday they believe there is enough support to pass a plan next week to close most or all of the $220 million deficit in the current state budget.
March 24, 2016
Posted inEducation
CT high court to decide case of state employee fired for smoking marijuana on job
The Connecticut Supreme Court will soon decide whether UConn was justified in firing an employee found getting high on marijuana while on the job, a case the state argues could have broad implications. The employee’s union argues the punishment was excessive.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers seek more funds for gun background check system
WASHINGTON — All five members of Connecticut’s U.S. House delegation joined dozens of other lawmakers – many of them but not all fellow Democrats – to ask for more money for the federal gun purchaser background check system.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Politics
Nuclear power’s regulatory campaign comes to Connecticut
Evan Bayh, the former governor of a coal-burning, nuclear-free state, arrived in Hartford as the smiling face of the nuclear power industry Thursday, making a soft sell for Connecticut to consider ways to keep its Millstone station economically viable.
Posted inData
Census: Only one Connecticut county grew in population last year
Fairfield County’s population rose 0.2 percent between July of 2014 and July of 2015, according to estimates the U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday.
Posted inHealth
State to close two centers for those with intellectual disabilities
State officials Thursday announced plans to close by June 30 two state-run facilities that provide residential care for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The move was pegged as a “change in strategic direction” as the state looks to outsource those services to private providers to save money.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Battle over CT’s credit card heats up as Malloy raises limit again
The partisan debate over Connecticut’s credit card intensified Thursday as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy boosted state government’s self-imposed borrowing limit by $200 million.
Posted inMoney
Connecticut jobless rate was 5.5% in February
Connecticut’s private sector gained “a solid 5,000 jobs” in February as its unemployment rate remained at 5.5 percent, according to the monthly labor report released Thursday by the state Department of Labor.
Posted inEducation
Session notes: Tuition hikes net mixed reactions from legislators
Proposed tuition and fee increases of $480 for the four regional public universities and $141 for the 12 community colleges have been called “fair” by the college president, “disturbing” by a Republican legislator and “inevitable” by the House chair of the Higher Education Committee.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Restore cuts to community health centers, avert looming crisis
There is a brewing health care crisis in Connecticut, and it involves the state’s poorest and most vulnerable population of people. The good news is there is still time to solve it. Despite Connecticut being the richest state in the country, there are still hundreds of thousands of people here who live at or below the poverty line. These are working people, people who do their best to support themselves and their families but who still depend on the basic core safety net of services provided by the state of Connecticut. For most of this population, there is only one place to turn for health care services – Federally Qualified Health Centers.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Invest in after-school programs to ensure Connecticut’s future
After-school programs are needed to provide Connecticut students a safe and supervised space, to keep them involved in academic enrichment activities that create lifelong learners, and to support working the families who drive this state. If fortunate programs like ours are forced to make difficult decisions, how are other programs going to continue providing this valuable resource? Investment in quality after-school programs is needed now more than ever to support a stable and equitable future for all in Connecticut.
Posted inPolitics
Three CT delegates could share pivotal GOP convention role
WASHINGTON — As Republicans gather in Cleveland this summer to select their presidential candidate, three delegates from Connecticut will be among those arbiters of convention rules who could wield enormous power if there is a nomination fight.