The outlook for the state’s finances remains “generally positive” one-third of the way into the new fiscal year, Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo reported Friday. In his latest monthly budget forecast, Connecticut’s chief fiscal watchdog projected a modest, $11.2 million surplus for the fiscal year that ends next June 30. That represents just 1/15th of 1 […]

Ever feel the urge to text while driving? If that happens in New York, look around. There’s probably a sign nearby showing where the next safe “Texting Zone” is located. New York officials have captured some of their Connecticut counterparts’ attention with their new campaign to stop cellphone use on highways. Earlier this fall the […]

Though 2014 is a state election year, don’t count on any votes at the Capitol to repeal Connecticut’s controversial tax on motor vehicles. After watching last year’s repeal bid arise unexpectedly — then quickly run out of gas — advocates are ready to take the slow-but-steady route the second time around. And for a state […]

Homeowners falling behind on payments or facing foreclosure will have a shot at getting some needed relief when state officials host their sixth mortgage assistance event next week. As they continue to juggle finances in response to the federal government shutdown, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Attorney General George Jepsen and Banking Commissioner Howard F. Pitkin announced […]

Economists agree that failure to lift the nation’s debt ceiling would be disastrous. Should Congress and President Obama fail to reach an agreement by Thursday — the deadline when the government contends it would run out of money — it reportedly would send economic shockwaves around the world. But what exactly is the debt ceiling, […]

After dreaming for years about opening a ceramics studio, Lucy and Anthony Hernandez of Rocky Hill were closing in on their goal when they learned of the threat of a federal government shutdown. The Hernandezes managed beat the shutdown deadline, but other small businesses with cash flow problems, equipment needs or expansion plans must wait […]

Though Connecticut officials balked at creating a publicly searchable database to track corporate welfare, its chief advocate is hoping an example from across the state line will change minds here. Rhode Island’s Division of Taxation released a late summer report that showed 87 percent of all funds awarded through the state’s six major tax incentive […]

State officials renewed their call for a review of Northeast Utilities operations after company officials confirmed plans Tuesday to outsource about half of its 400 information technology jobs. But a company spokeswoman also said about 40 of the 200 affected workers likely would be rehired by branches in the northeastern U.S. of the two India-based companies […]

State government’s finances are in balance early into the fiscal year — for now. But the state’s chief fiscal watchdog warned Tuesday that the federal government shutdown, continued strong demand for health care for the poor and declining sales tax receipts, could erase the budget’s black ink very quickly. Technically Kevin Lembo, the state comptroller, […]

More than a dozen state legislators are pressing New England’s largest utility to detail immediately any plans to reduce staff as part of an ongoing merger. House Majority Leader Joseph Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, also insisted that Northeast Utilities respond to rumors that some information technology work would be outsourced to other countries. But NU responded Thursday […]