Advocates fear CT’s low housing vacancy rate incentivizes landlords to evict lower-income tenants — which, in turn, drives up homelessness.
James Watson
James is a junior journalism major at the University of Connecticut who is currently participating in a full-year exchange program, coming from the University of Warwick in England with a joint honors history and political science degree. Born in New York but raised in London, James uses his dual nationality to craft a unique perspective on current affairs in the U.S. He is a section editor for The Warwick Boar, a contributing writer at The Daily Campus, and co-host of The Atlantic Hour, a U.S. political podcast that reviews the most prescient news and policy developments in the nation on a weekly basis. James has also worked as a broadcast intern for the BBC.
Posted inGovernment
Jahana Hayes proposes bill to expand food program for youths
The expansion of the ‘Stop Child Hunger Summer Act’ would come amid concerns about federal funding for food-assistance programs.
Posted inEducation
CT Dems speak out against Trump plan to resume collections on student loans
The federal student aid office plans to resume collecting defaulted loans on May 5, ending a pause that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posted inHousing
Bloomfield residents push for tenants’ rights at CT Capitol
The group rallied against inadequate garbage disposal, sewage problems and other issues that advocates say are ‘reflected across the state.’
Posted inJustice
After proposed cut to prison e-messaging, incarcerated people, advocates speak out
Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed ending free prison e-messaging, which would put online communication costs back onto incarcerated individuals and their loved ones.
Posted inGovernment
Yale students lobby lawmakers for ranked-choice voting in CT
A group of Yale students lobbied at the Capitol for ranked-choice voting, a system that lets voters rank candidates in order of preference.
Posted inGovernment
CT cities and towns want more funding for early voting
CT municipalities say early voting wasn’t cheap and are asking the legislature for more funding to provide the service in the years to come.
Posted inGovernment
Committee OKs bill that would limit contracts with e-book publishers
The bill would forbid CT libraries from signing contracts with e-book publishers that limit their ability to control how they loan materials.
Posted inJustice
Correction ombuds says lack of staff, funding have limited his efforts so far
Interim leader DeVaughn Ward says it has been nearly impossible to resolve the complaints coming in while being the office’s sole employee.
Posted inGovernment
AG Tong recommends restrictions for children on social media apps
Attorney General William Tong promoted a bill that would limit the social media content children can access and restrict the use of algorithms that recommend content.
Posted inMoney
Child care is center of governor’s human services budget
Lamont’s budget invests in universal preschool but does not meet the needs of other nonprofits, like food banks and homelessness providers.
Posted inPolitics
CT needs a ‘moral budget’ with more social services funding, interfaith leaders say
Interfaith leaders who have advocated for housing, gun safety, education and youth justice voiced their displeasure with CT’s fiscal ‘guardrails.’
Posted inHuman Services
CT lawmaker’s proposal would allow HUSKY to cover diapers for some families
The bill would allow Medicaid to cover the cost of diapers in ‘medically necessary’ cases, like diaper rash, eczema and diaper dermatitis.