Democrats sought voting rights safeguards in the Electoral Count Act reform bill, but hope the compromise will help in the 2024 election.
Government
Stories about state agencies and the actions they’re taking, lawmakers and the moves they’re making to strengthen or loosen existing state regulations, and the inner workings of state government.
Posted inGovernment
CT Department of Labor launches new, ‘improved’ unemployment system
Gov. Ned Lamont made modernizing state government a priority. ReEmployCT, the new unemployment benefits and tax system, is part of that effort.
Posted inCities & Towns
CT municipalities using federal ARPA funds to expand police surveillance tools
The equipment purchases were supported by local leaders, but some residents wondered if the federal funding could be put to better use.
Posted inGovernment
Outside the replica of slave ship Amistad, Gov. Lamont signs Juneteenth bill
With a ceremonial bill signing and an impromptu climb by the governor aboard the Amistad, Connecticut got an early jump on Juneteenth.
Posted inHealth
Legislators approve mold regulation changes for medical marijuana
The change means an increase for substances tested at one of the state’s labs and a decrease at the other, equalizing the two labs.
Posted inEconomic Development
When will you be able to buy recreational marijuana in CT? It’s unclear
Existing medical-use growers and retailers could be the first to offer recreational marijuana in the market, but several hurdles remain.
Posted inGovernment
CT lawmakers set to pass reforms to troubled school construction program
The reforms come as a federal investigation of the program under its former director, Kosta Diamantis, is underway.
Posted inGovernment
Unions win final passage of ‘captive audience’ ban
One of organized labor’s two legislative priorities in 2022 — a ban on “captive audience” meetings that unions say are used to thwart organizing — won final passage late Friday night.
Posted inGovernment
Senate approves bill to shield contracting watchdog from budget cuts
A second proposal, to allow the board to investigate all quasi-public entities created by the legislature, was stripped from the bill.
Posted inGovernment
Data privacy bill wins final approval in Connecticut House
Connecticut will offer consumers new data privacy protections after final passage of a complicated bill by the House.
Posted inGovernment
Marijuana gifting bill passes CT House, with some changes
A bill that would ban the practice of gifting cannabis in commercial settings is now headed to the CT Senate.
Posted inGovernment
CT Senate votes to allow workers to opt out of ‘captive audience’ meetings
The Senate voted 23-11 to pass the bill, which would make Connecticut the second state in the country to ban such meetings, alongside Oregon.
Posted inGovernment
CT looks to strengthen data privacy protections
A law would establish stronger protections for consumer data — an issue made more urgent as the pandemic drove much of life and work online.
Posted inGovernment
Auditors slam state for oversight of program run by Kosta Diamantis
The auditors found officials mismanaged audits and failed to enforce price caps meant to hold down costs for local school building projects.
Posted inGovernment
CT legislators set to decide on the acceptable amount of mold in marijuana
The Attorney General’s Office has approved the proposed change. Now, it’s up for discussion in a legislative committee.