The House Republican leader said “it encourages that bad behavior that we’ve seen out of legislators.”
Keith M. Phaneuf
Keith has spent most of his four decades 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. He has been the state finances reporter at CT Mirror since it launched in 2010. Prior to joining CT Mirror Keith was State Capitol bureau chief for The Journal Inquirer of Manchester, a reporter for the Day of New London, and a former contributing writer to The New York Times. Keith is a graduate of and a former journalism instructor at the University of Connecticut.
Posted inPolitics
With billions in federal relief on the way to CT, legislators assert their role in deciding how to spend it
With an unusual bill, state legislators are reminding Gov. Ned Lamont they have significant role in disbursing federal coronavirus relief.
Posted inMoney
CT hasn’t started collecting new payroll tax from state workers
Connecticut established a new payroll tax surcharge on Jan. 1 but still isn’t deducting it from state workers’ paychecks.
Posted inMoney
Lamont’s budget offers another round of tax amnesty
Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposal waives penalties and caps interest at 3% over each of the next two fiscal years.
Posted inEconomic Development
Senate sends data center incentives and town aid pledge bills to Lamont’s desk
Senate endorsed an omnibus fiscal bill that lays the groundwork for a major boost in PILOT aid to many municipalities.
Posted inMoney
House approves big municipal aid pledge, tax incentive bills
The House approved bills Wednesday pledging $100 million-plus in new municipal aid and offering tax incentives to attract data centers.
Posted inMoney
CT legislature poised to make early budget pledge to help cities and towns
The state House is expected to approve more than $100 million in new, annual PILOT grants to municipalities.
Posted inHealth
Grocery store workers ‘disgusted’ with Lamont’s new COVID-19 vaccine policy
Grocery store workers are frustrated with Gov. Ned Lamont, who is no longer prioritizing them in the coronavirus vaccination schedule.
Posted inHealth
Breaking with national recommendations, Lamont says Connecticut’s vaccine rollout will now be prioritized by age
People aged 55 to 64 will be next in line for the vaccine.
Posted inMoney
Boston Fed chief predicts strong economic recovery begins in 2nd half of 2021 if vaccine reaches enough people
A strong economic rebound also depends on states helping those hit hardest by COVID-19, a federal reserve official said.
Posted inMoney
A pledge to share sales tax receipts with towns still goes unfulfilled. Was it a case of fiscal bait-and-switch?
Hundreds of millions of dollars have yet to arrive, leaving municipal leaders wary of new proposed aid.
Posted inMoney
Finance panel eyes cap on property tax hikes, gears up for another battle over CT’s credit card
Lawmakers raised bills to cap property tax hikes, and potentially battle Gov. Ned Lamont for control of Connecticut’s borrowing.
Posted inMoney
CT seeks to spare telecommuters from double taxation as it battles neighboring states in court
CT officials are trying to shield residents with out-of-state employers from double taxation while it battles neighboring states in court.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money
CT budget debate heats up quickly over equity
Urban lawmakers on the Appropriations Committee charged Gov. Ned Lamont’s budget largely ignores inequities in education and health care.
Posted inMoney
Unions tell Lamont they won’t forgo raises to spare the rich from a tax hike
The budget proposal saves $140 million by assuming no raises for bargaining units with contracts currently in negotiations.