The Senate’s Electoral Count Act reforms bill, which CT Sen. Chris Murphy worked on, has bipartisan support. But the House’s version doesn’t.
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.
Murphy, Blumenthal backing bill to ban guns near election sites
Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal say the legislation will protect voters. It is unclear if Senate Republicans will support it.
Sandy Hook survivors call on Senate to pass assault weapons ban
Advocates want the Senate to go beyond the new gun safety bill and renew a federal assault weapons ban. But passage remains a challenge.
Kosta Diamantis employee grievance case hearing set for Monday
The hearing will bring to a head a conflict that has been simmering since last fall and threatens to dredge up past disputes.
CT’s Judge Sarah Merriam confirmed to 2nd Circuit Court
Merriam, a federal district court judge, is one of two Connecticut nominees appointed by President Joe Biden to sit on the 2nd Circuit.
Senate races to confirm CT judges to 2nd Circuit Court
The Senate will likely start voting this week on Sarah Merriam’s confirmation. CT’s senators hope to take up Maria Kahn’s nomination soon.
White House approves $43 million plan for CT to expand high-speed broadband access
The White House approved Connecticut’s plan to invest nearly $43 million in affordable broadband access through a program launching in 2023.
CT plaintiffs urge Biden to rescind Trump-era Medicaid cuts
A rule implemented by the Trump administration days after the 2020 election mandates states to cut off benefits for some Medicaid recipients.
Fearing 2024 election threats, Murphy helped craft bipartisan bill to avert Jan. 6 repeat
Democrats sought voting rights safeguards in the Electoral Count Act reform bill, but hope the compromise will help in the 2024 election.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.