Farmers, agricultural leaders and lawmakers gathered outside the State Capitol despite some light rain Tuesday afternoon to rally against one budget proposal that largely has flown under the radar – the elimination of a stand-alone Department of Agriculture in the state.
Kyle Constable
Anti-intimidation bill goes to Malloy after House passage
The House of Representatives unanimously approved and sent to the governor’s desk Monday a bill to enable defendants exercising free speech to fight back against some anti-defamation lawsuits intended to silence them.
Autonomous vehicle testing bill heads to Malloy’s desk
The bill imposes strict standards on the testing. Among other things, it requires autonomous vehicle testers to obtain consent from any town where they would like to conduct a test.
House backs measure to make vo-tech system its own agency
The House of Representatives voted 96-50 Saturday night to approve and send to the Senate a bill that would make the state’s vocational-technical school system an independent state agency beginning on July 1, 2019. The system currently is under the state Department of Education.
House passes bail reform compromise with bipartisan support
The House of Representatives voted 88-62 Saturday to approve and send to the Senate a compromise bail reform package backed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the Connecticut Sentencing Commission.
College aid for undocumented students ends without a vote
A years-long campaign to allow undocumented students to receive financial aid at Connecticut’s public colleges almost certainly will not achieve its goal this year, and its future chances are in doubt.
Lovefest at UTC provides respite from Aetna news
Two days after Aetna said it was looking elsewhere for a headquarters, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy hailed the ongoing expansion of United Technologies Corp.’s East Hartford campus Friday. Dozens of UTC employees and others greeted Malloy with a standing ovation as he took the stage to celebrate completion of the company’s new “Innovation Hub.”
Malloy to legislators: Don’t force me to run CT without a new budget
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy gave legislators a clear message Thursday: Don’t force him to run Connecticut after July 1 under the very tight restrictions the law mandates when a new budget is not in place.
Looser high school graduation requirements head to Malloy
A bill to loosen high school graduation requirements is heading to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s desk after the House voted 148-0 Tuesday night to approve it.
East Hartford responds to DeVos’s criticism: ‘She’s wrong’
Updated at 4:16 p.m.
With one voice Tuesday morning, about 200 East Hartford teachers, students and parents repudiated U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ grim appraisal of their public school system. As school buses dropped off students behind them, the protesters chanted in unison: “DeVos is wrong! East Hartford strong!”
Bipartisan group of lawmakers pushes for new fee to fund parks
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing for a new fee to ensure state parks stay open, staffed and maintained despite the state budget crisis. The fee, which proponents want to set at $10, would be collected along with auto registration fees.
Activist’s arrest sets back college aid for undocumented students
One activist’s arrest has offset months of lobbying for a bill that would have allowed undocumented students to receive financial aid at Connecticut’s public colleges.
House passes protections for pregnant women in workforce
The House of Representatives voted 120-30 to pass a bill Tuesday that would enact specific protections for pregnant women who are in the workplace or seeking employment. Some Republicans opposed the measure as a burden on small businesses.
Campaign finance, minimum wage bills in the mix despite budget crush
With a little more than two weeks remaining until the session’s June 7 adjournment deadline, dozens of bills unrelated to the state’s budget are certain to be voted upon. Legislative leaders say campaign finance reform and a minimum wage increase are among the contentious issues that could come up in the session’s final days.
CCM again pushes its sweeping plan as budget talks intensify
As state budget negotiations intensify, the organization that represents Connecticut’s cities and towns is doubling down on a sweeping financial plan unveiled earlier this year.