Washington — The Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutionality of the health care act will put the justices on the front lines of political campaigns this summer and likely fire up Connecticut’s Senate race. The Supreme Court will issue a ruling, probably in late June, that would uphold the Affordable Care Act, toss out the […]

Washington — Unless Congress acts soon, the financially strapped U.S. Postal Service will cut deliveries of mail, raise stamp prices and shutter two processing centers and more than a dozen postal facilities in Connecticut. Drastic steps must be taken, the postal service says, because it lost more than $9 billion last year and has struggled […]

Washington — They came from all over the country last week to stand on the steps of the nation’s highest court — a typically American parade of perspectives, punctuated with signs, face paint, costumes and flags. As inside the Supreme Court, three days of arguments took place over whether the government can require an individual […]

Washington — Right before the current bill that authorizes federal spending on transportation projects expires, Congress Thursday approved a 90-day extension. Connecticut’s House members balked at voting for that extension, even though it will mean millions of transportation dollars flowing to the state. They voted no because Connecticut’s lawmakers, like many of their Democratic colleagues, […]

Washington –– If the Supreme Court rules the federal health care bill’s mandate unconstitutional, the Malloy administration may try to implement it in the state. The Affordable Care Act will require most Americans, beginning in 2014, to obtain health insurance coverage or be subject to a fine. But after three days of Supreme Court arguments […]

Washington — Whether you believe in climate change, your insurance company is making you pay for it. The nation’s insurers are grappling with their risks in the face of the increasing number of weather-related catastrophes. “As a major property casualty insurer, we are continually monitoring, anticipating and reacting to changing climate conditions across all of […]

Washington — With their constituents’ anger on the rise over high gasoline prices, Connecticut lawmakers say Wall Street is to blame and want the Obama administration to take action against speculators. “What we need is tough enforcement against speculation that is contributing to the crushing prices at the pump,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. The […]

Washington — The average American is barred by the embargo from traveling to Cuba, but Connecticut students are packing their bags to visit the island. After President Obama loosened travel restrictions last year to allow greater religious, cultural and academic travel to Cuba, a number of Connecticut colleges rushed to take advantage of the opening. […]

Washington — Few will be watching the arguments next week in front of the Supreme Court over the health care law more closely than Connecticut insurers whose financial health hinges on the justices’ decision. At the heart of the legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act is a mandate that will require most Americans either to buy […]

Washington — Californian Lois Capps was a congressman’s wife and new to Washington some years ago when she decided to attend a National Cancer Institute briefing. At the briefing, Capps was struck by one animated, impassioned speaker. It was Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, describing her experience with ovarian cancer and the importance of cancer research. […]

Washington — With the help of Connecticut lawmakers, the Senate approved a two-year $109 billion transportation bill Wednesday that state officials say may help them move forward with priority projects. Distributed to the states by formula, the money authorized for Connecticut would increase slightly — by about $10 million — over what the state has […]