Officials from Connecticut’s two casinos said Tuesday that the Rell administration’s proposal to launch a Keno game would violate their exclusive rights to operate “casino games” in the state and jeopardize a revenue-sharing compact that means millions of dollars to the state each year. But state officials say Foxwoods and and the Mohegan Sun thought […]

Gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley Gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley distanced himself today from fellow Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell, saying he does not support her Keno gambling proposal or her proposal to use $100 million of state dollars to lend to small businesses. The Greenwich businessman also criticized Rell, whom he called a good friend, for allowing the […]

With state aid to towns stagnant at best for the near future, a panel of 46 Democratic state lawmakers proposed Wednesday to increase the hotel tax in the state from 12 to 15 percent and give the revenue to cash-strapped towns. The estimated $20 million in annual revenue the tax increase would generate would help […]

Officials from Connecticut’s two casinos testified today that if the state allows Keno gambling it will be in violation of its revenue-sharing compact with the Indian tribes that run the casinos. The state receives almost $400 million a year from the slot machines at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos. Jackson King, counsel for Foxwoods, said […]

Town leaders told the Appropriations Committee today that the state is making it difficult for them to function because town aid is flat funded and towns are limited to levying a tax only on property. “Local cost cutting alone cannot counteract the state funding. Connecticut is one of only 15 states that handcuffs municipalities to […]

With the state facing billions in deficits in coming years, lawmakers are warming to the idea of a new revenue stream: Keno gambling. “We are in tough economic times and let’s face it, there’s a number of people who have trouble not voting for things that cost money,” said Rep. Stephen D. Dargan, D-West Haven. […]

A bill backed by 19 Senate Democrats would tap “excessive” executive bonuses to support job creation in the state, backers told a legislative committee Monday. But critics, including legislative Republicans and the business community, said there are significant constitutional questions about the measure, and the added tax would drive businesses out of state. “Do not […]

State lawmakers will hear testimony on a bill to extend the statute of limitations for civil actions in child sex abuse cases — an effort to allow dozens of victims of Dr. George Reardon to sue even though their case is too old under state law. Last year, a similar bill also had a public […]

State Senator Andrew W. Roraback announced today he is exploring a run for attorney general. “I’ve always enjoyed righting wrongs,” he said. “The attorney general is the person you turn to to right an injustice.” State Sen. Roraback A lawyer since 1987 at his family’s law firm in Torrington, Roraback said his 16 years in […]

The chairman of the state’s ethics panel violated state law by donating $250 to Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and two other Republican candidates vying for the legislature in 2008, reports the Office of State Ethics. G. Kenneth Bernhard, chairman of the Citizen’s Ethics Advisory Board and an attorney from Westport, said he was “unaware […]

Convincing fellow Democrats to send him to the General Assembly was the hard part, Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield says. After that, getting the legislature to vote for the first time to abolish the state’s death penalty seemed easy. “I don’t usually stop when people tell me no,” said the freshman Democrat from New Haven. Rep. Gary […]

Thousands of people have died in Connecticut because of their lack of health insurance says a report released today, and a group of state officials say the findings show the need for more scrutiny of rate increases. “Let’s have accountability on these rate increases,” said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan. Currently the Connecticut Insurance Department […]

Is the state doing enough to promote a new health plan that promises better care by bypassing insurance companies? Advocates say no, but the commissioner responsible for the program–and some health professionals–argue that the plan puts a heavy administrative burden on physicians without adequate reimbursement. “The word is out. This is a choice program and […]

Although demand for coverage is rising, the state’s social services commissioner told legislators Tuesday that the Rell administration wants to shut down a toll-free phone line that provides information about the HUSKY health care program for low-income children and their families. The toll-free line costs the state $670,000 a year. Department of Social Services Commissioner Michael […]

Following controversy over a large rate increase sought by a health insurer last summer, a group of state officials is pushing for a new law requiring greater scrutiny of such changes–with opposition from both the industry and the commissioner in charge of regulating it. The bill before the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee would […]