The Senate is expected to vote on a compromise bill that would extend benefits to long-term unemployed people (who’ve been cut off since Dec. 28). But the bill’s fate in the House is in doubt. A deadline over the “doc fix” also looms. Unless Congress acts by March 31 to fix a formula that pays […]
Ana Radelat
Ana has written about politics and policy in Washington, D.C.. for Gannett, Thompson Reuters and UPI. She was a special correspondent for the Miami Herald, and a regular contributor to The New York TImes, Advertising Age and several other publications. She has also worked in broadcast journalism, for CNN and several local NPR stations. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Journalism.
Posted inNews
Citing Ukraine conflict, DeLauro say Pentagon should halt purchases of Russian copters
Rep. Rosa DeLauro cited the conflict in Ukraine in her latest argument about the Pentagon’s purchase of Russian-made helicopters to equip Afghan security forces.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Blumenthal, Murphy declare war on heroin
Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy have declared war on heroin, insisting the federal government do more to combat what has become a particularly lethal drug that claims, on the average, one life in the state every day.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy blasts Boehner for saying CT ‘cheating’ on food stamps
Washington – Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said House Speaker John Boehner is “shameful” and “reprehensible” when he says states like Connecticut are cheating when it comes to the federal food stamp program.
Posted inNews
Washington Watch: March 17-22
The House of Representatives and the Senate are out of session this week. But the White House and State Department will continue to wrestle with Russia over Ukraine and inch toward imposing sanctions on Vladimir Putin’s government.
Posted inPolitics
Feds say Metro-North put on-time performance before safety
WASHINGTON –The Metro-North commuter railroad put on-time performance before concerns about safety or adequate training programs, the Federal Railroad Administration has found in a report released today.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Connecticut’s unemployed pin hopes on divided Congress
The Democratic-led Senate has voted several times to restore benefits to 3.6 million long-term unemployed like Norwalk resident Joel Zaremby, but it fell one vote short of the 60-vote threshold needed to move the legislation forward. Now the Senate is trying one more time to find a compromise that will clear that hurdle. But time is running out.
Posted inPolitics
Newtown cyclists say gun control campaign now a movement
WASHINGTON — Riding 400 miles from Newtown, 26 bicyclists hoping to change the nation’s gun laws faced some strong headwinds on their way to Washington, D.C. When they reached the U.S. Capitol Tuesday, they faced even more — of the political kind.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Even without challengers, CT lawmakers spend millions ‘campaigning’
WASHINGTON – Even though some of them don’t have challengers, Connecticut House members collectively spent nearly $3 million last year on everything from office supplies to gourmet chocolates, flowers, glitzy fundraisers and expensive meals.
Posted inNews
Washington Watch, Week of March 9-15
Events in Ukraine, doctor reimbursements for Medicare and extending unemployment benefits for the unemployed will all be discussed on Capitol Hill this week.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Blumenthal clashes with federal railroad chief over Metro-North crashes
“Four people might be alive today if those (railroad regulations) had been implemented,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal told the administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. The hearing was Blumenthal’s first as a Senate subcommittee chairman.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Report: CT sick leave policy has had little impact on businesses
WASHINGTON — Concerns by the business community that Connecticut’s sick leave policy would be a “job killer,” driving employers out of the state, is a myth, say authors of a study on the policy’s impact.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Money, Politics
Congress cuts increases in flood insurance premiums
Washington – The U.S. House of Representatives voted late Tuesday on a bill that would give thousands of Connecticut homeowners relief from rising federal flood insurance premiums.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT defense contractors largely spared from Pentagon cuts
Washington – Sikorsky’s plans to build new helicopters for the Air Force were kept alive as President Obama’s unveiled his new budget Tuesday. Pratt & Whitney was nicked and Electric Boat remains unscathed.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Obama visit may spare Esty from Obamacare vote
Washington – President Obama’s visit to Central Connecticut State University Wednesday may spare Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, from having to make another controversial vote. Esty plans to be among the Connecticut politicians who will be on hand to welcome the president. Obama is visiting Connecticut to meet with Gov. Dannel Malloy and other New England governors to highlight the president’s campaign to raise the federal minimum wage – now set at $7.25.