A new report gives Connecticut and 12 other states high marks for measuring the effectiveness of transportation spending in meeting policy goals ranging from traffic safety to environmental protection. The report, by the Pew Center on the States and the Rockefeller Foundation, assesses states on their use of goals, performance measures and data to link […]
Money
Stories about Connecticut’s budget, the federal budget, jobs and employment, state investments and casinos.
Posted inMoney
Marijuana decrim wins a ‘joint favorable’
A proposal to reduce the penalty of getting caught with small amounts of marijuana has cleared another legislative committee, and now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Currently those convicted of possession of small amounts of marijuana face a criminal record and a fine of up to $1,000. The proposal was approved Tuesday by […]
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Conservative group sues the state over a $2 billion budget hole
Two Republican legislators are plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by a conservative group claiming the budget passed by Democrats this week is illegal because it relies on $2 billion in labor savings that have yet to be secured. “It’s a phony budget, dressed up in gimmicks,” said Sen. Leonard Suzio, R-Meriden. “It’s an abuse, really.” […]
Posted inHealth, Money
Hospital tax fallout changes yet again
A new revision to the proposed tax on hospitals would exempt six hospitals that have struggled financially from a portion of the tax but would reduce the total amount of money hospitals get from the state. The budget proposal agreed to by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Democratic legislators calls for taxing hospitals and redistributing […]
Posted inHealth, Money
Refilled DSS eligibility positions exempt from hiring freeze
The expanded hiring freeze announced Friday does not affect the recent approval of hires to fill vacant eligibility positions at the state Department of Social Services. In a memo to agency heads Friday, Office of Policy and Management Secretary Ben Barnes said that previously approved refill authorization for most vacant positions had been rescinded. But […]
Posted inHealth, Money
New hospital tax formula makes new winners and losers
A new method for calculating the proposed tax on hospitals, part of the budget agreed to by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Democratic legislators, changes the projected financial outcomes for hospitals. Yale-New Haven Hospital would gain $27.2 million under the plan. Greenwich Hospital remains the biggest projected loser, although its loss–$7.3 million–would be less than […]
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Malloy praised by UTC exec who panned state business climate
Gregory J. Hayes, the prominent executive who rattled the political establishment a year ago by telling Wall Street that “anyplace outside of Connecticut is low cost” when it comes to doing business, gave a thumbs up Tuesday night to the new governor’s approach to finance and economic development. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy shared a stage […]
Posted inMoney, Politics
Foley tackles long odds to balance budget without tax hikes
Tom Foley insists he can eliminate what effectively amounts to the largest state budget deficit in Connecticut history without raising taxes.