The CT Mirror (https://ctmirror.org/author/kphaneuf/)
Keith, with Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, won first prize in investigative reporting from the Education Writers Association in 2012 for a series of stories on the Board of Regents for Higher Education. The former State Capitol bureau chief for The Journal Inquirer of Manchester, Keith has spent most of 24 years as a reporter specializing in state government finances, analyzing such topics as income tax equity, waste in government and the complex funding systems behind Connecticut's transportation and social services networks. A former contributing writer to The New York Times, Keith is a graduate of and a former journalism instructor at the University of Connecticut. E-mail him at kphaneuf@ctmirror.org.
Gov.-elect Ned Lamont launched a series of strategic economic development tours Friday with a visit to Connecticut’s southeastern corner, saying the region exemplifies the state’s potential for growth. Continue Reading →
After eight years of grappling with Connecticut’s finances, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has one more budget to tackle: offering Gov.-elect Ned Lamont strategies to avert a multi-billion-dollar deficit in state finances. Continue Reading →
Democrats say they took 24 seats in the state Senate and 92 in the state House of Representatives on Election Day, giving them overwhelming discretion in setting the General Assembly’s agenda after previously struggling to work with a slim majority. Continue Reading →
Despite their biggest gains in a decade, majority Democrats in the General Assembly have almost no margin for error if they hope to solve Connecticut’s next budget crisis without Republican votes. Continue Reading →
In a live call to a supportive morning radio team, Republican Bob Stefanowski publicly conceded the Connecticut governor’s race to Democrat Ned Lamont today, saying after a long and see-saw night of slow returns, “He won fair and square.” Continue Reading →
Voters overwhelmingly approved two amendments to the state Constitution, including a new legal “lockbox” to safeguard funds earmarked for Connecticut’s transportation program. Continue Reading →
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was the 280th voter to cast a ballot at his polling place in Hartford’s West End Tuesday morning — just one of the state’s many residents who flocked to the polls Tuesday as officials reported high voter turnout numbers more typical of presidential elections than mid-term Connecticut elections. Continue Reading →
Buffeted by conflicting state and national political currents, Connecticut voters go to the polls today to cast votes for statewide and legislative candidates, many who have tied their fortunes to how the electorate feels about two men not on the ballot, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and President Donald J. Trump. Continue Reading →
Will Connecticut be able to borrow funds at affordable rates to rebuild its aging transportation system? New projections show one key barometer of the transportation program’s fiscal health could be slipping into dangerous territory within the next two years. Continue Reading →
Candidates in Connecticut’s open race for governor made closing arguments Sunday at rallies in a cathedral and a warehouse, in conversations at diners and a sports bar, and at one sparsely attended press conference set with Bushnell Park foliage and a sun-splashed State Capitol as a post-card picture backdrop. Continue Reading →
Democrat Shawn Wooden and Republican Thad Gray largely see eye-to-eye when it comes to the state’s massive pension debt, the state’s growing reliance on borrowing to cover debt payments, and even the financial bailout for Hartford. But when it comes to the proper background to handle the job, the candidates each say their rival is lacking. Continue Reading →
Democratic incumbent Kevin Lembo and Republican challenger Kurt Miller both see the race for state comptroller as a contest to become Connecticut’s chief fiscal guardian for the next four years. Continue Reading →
U.S. Senate candidates Chris Murphy and Matthew Corey clashed Friday over taxes, immigration, foreign affairs, and the fate of the Supreme court in their only televised debate. Continue Reading →
Connecticut voters will decide the fate of two proposed constitutional amendments, including a legal “lockbox” designed to ensure transportation-related revenues can’t be diverted for other purposes. Continue Reading →
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ned Lamont has slowly eliminated most options to close a major post-election deficit in state finances as he’s tried to convince voters he won’t order major tax hikes. [Updated at 7:15 p.m. with comment from Bob Stefanowski’s campaign.] Continue Reading →