After losing its non-profit operator in a fight over budget and independence, CT-N resumed live broadcasting Monday with coverage of a hearing by the legislature’s Public Health Committee about patient abuse and excessive overtime at the state’s high-security Whiting Forensic Division of Connecticut Valley Hospital. Bigger tests are to come.
2017
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Everyone should be entitled to health insurance, even the middle class
The Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, is a perverse twist on the Robin Hood tale. Rather than steal from the rich, Obamacare has taken from the middle class. Prior to ACA, the self-employed middle class had many options for comprehensive insurance. They were largely able to afford their premiums and deductibles, and out of pocket costs were manageable. Most importantly, they were free to choose their own doctors and hospitals from a nationwide provider network.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
A new wave of activism pushing for progressive policies
A year ago, Democrats across the nation were disheartened by the election of Donald Trump. It was a blow to our efforts to pass the progressive policies that would create more good jobs, improve education, protect civil rights and expand access to affordable health care. But out of that electoral disaster was born a new wave of activism that refuses to be cowed by the terrible policies being pushed in Washington.
Posted inPolitics
Looking at 2018, Democrats take limited solace in Trump backlash
Connecticut Democrats are approaching the pivotal election year of 2018 with distinct advantages in money, organization, voter registration and a base energized in large measure by the election of Donald J. Trump, as was demonstrated last week in municipal elections. Beneath those advantages runs a deep current of dissatisfaction with the state’s Democratic governor, Dannel P. Malloy, and its General Assembly.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Veterans must be part of Connecticut’s economic recovery and growth
Connecticut Veterans are smart, highly trained, hard-working, dedicated, and team-oriented leaders who are comfortable in changing and dynamic environments. Successfully reintegrated Veteran create economic, political, and social capital in our communities. As we celebrate Veterans Day, let us remember they are national assets and an important part of restoring Connecticut opportunity and launching our great state’s economy on an upward trajectory.
Posted inEducation, Justice
From foster care, to prison, to college graduation, to …
Elizabeth Behlman, who expects to be released from prison next year after serving 11 years for arson, hopes the associate’s degree she will earn in the coming months will set her up for success on the outside. The Mirror sat down with the 34-year-old at York Correctional Institution to hear about her path to prison – and listen to her plans for when she is released.
Posted inNews
A week of shooting, voting, and political theater
It was a municipal election week in Connecticut, punctuated by word of yet another mass shooting and a heated debate over tax legislation.
Posted inNews
Trump voter fraud commission is sued — by one of its own commissioners
A Democratic member of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity has filed suit against the commission in federal court in Washington, D.C. , alleging that its Republican leadership has intentionally excluded him from deliberations and violated federal transparency laws.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Pressure builds to cut Medicare patients in on prescription deals
Medicare enrollees, who have watched their out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs climb in recent years, might be in for a break. Federal officials are exploring how beneficiaries could get a share of certain behind-the-scenes fees and discounts negotiated by insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, who together administer Medicare’s Part D drug program.
Posted inPolitics
‘Candidate’ talk canceled after Drew complains of snub
A day-long meeting with a somewhat wonkish agenda of promoting economic growth by “utilizing rapid iteration solutions such as 3D printing, CNC machining and computer aided casting” became an unlikely gubernatorial campaign issue Saturday over who was and wasn’t invited to the event.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Senate tax bill would have big impact on CT homeowners, small businesses
WASHINGTON – The Senate decided to go its own way in overhauling the nation’s tax code, and it’s plan would have a different impact on Connecticut taxpayers than a similar House bill. One big change is that Connecticut homeowners would no longer be able to deduct their property taxes on their federal returns.
Posted inEducation, Money
Care4Kids resumes enrollment, but won’t reach previous highs
With the number of families receiving help to cover the costs of child care reaching record lows, state lawmakers this week celebrated an announcement that the state will start enrolling children on the wait list. However, opening the wait list does not mean that every applicant whose income qualifies them for help will receive a Care4Kids subsidy.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
It’s time to remember the forgotten war, too
“Happy Veterans’ Day, Thank you for your service, God Bless America, God Bless You, Sir or Ma’am” are greetings offered to veterans each year around November 11, originally called Armistice Day, celebrating the end of World War I, “the war to end all wars” that has become a legal holiday officially called Veterans Day. Over the coming weekend, throughout the country and here at home in Connecticut, cities and towns will honor and celebrate the contributions and sacrifices of generations of Americans who volunteered or who were drafted into military service during times of war and peace.
Posted inJustice
Next wave of police departments face racial disparity analysis
Central Connecticut State University researchers released their third annual statewide report Thursday that identified seven Connecticut police departments for further study because of racial or ethnic disparities in their traffic stop patterns. The departments are Berlin, Monroe, Newtown, Norwich, Ridgefield, Darien and State Police Troop B in North Canaan.
Posted inPolitics
Linares joins ranks of Republicans exploring statewide office
Sen. Art Linares, R-Westbrook, announced an exploratory campaign for statewide office Thursday and became the fourth Republican in the evenly divided state Senate to begin raising money for higher office, a potential complication for a GOP hoping to win a majority next year.