State Senate Republican leader Len Fasano of North Haven has a pet legislative project — literally. He wants Connecticut to ban the practice of leasing, rather than selling, dogs and cats.
Politics
Stories about CT politicians, elections, state legislation, the state’s congressional delegation and the impact of federal legislation on Connecticut.
Posted inEducation
U.S. House bill cuts thousands from Connecticut’s free school lunch program
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House on Thursday narrowly approved a massive farm bill that would cut thousands of children from free school meals in Connecticut. That bill, opposed by every House Democrat, would curb eligibility for food stamps, too.
Posted inPolitics
On city dime, Ganim pops up in Texas for immigration protest
Bridgeport Mayor Joseph P. Ganim reminded Democrats on Thursday he knows how to stay in the public eye without cost to his campaign for governor: Ganim was among the U.S. mayors protesting outside a temporary immigration detention center in Tornillo, Texas that has become a political touchstone.
Posted inPolitics
CT Dems pan Trump’s move to end separations, but keep immigrant kids in detention
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s reversal of his administration’s policy of separating immigrant families at the border was panned Wednesday by Connecticut Democrats and immigration advocates in the state. “Family separation cannot be replaced by family incarceration and imprisonment,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
Posted inPolitics
Doyle urges law schools to help fight deportations
The Trump administration and its handling of immigrant children continued Wednesday to creep into Connecticut politics as Paul Doyle, a Democratic candidate for attorney general, urged the state’s three law schools to offer legal aid to immigrants facing deportation.
Posted inMoney
Malloy warns Democrats veto overrides could hurt them at the polls
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy cautioned his fellow Democrats in the legislature Wednesday that pressing bills restricting the state bailout of Hartford and the governor’s authority over education aid could inflame urban voters at the wrong time.
Posted inPolitics
Boughton, Herbst granted $1.35M in public financing
The State Elections Enforcement Commission approved public financing grants Wednesday for Republicans Mark Boughton and Timothy Herbst, two of the three gubernatorial candidates participating in the voluntary Citizens’ Election Program in 2018. The third, Steve Obsitnik, will have to try again next week for a fifth time.
Posted inPolitics
Attorney General hopeful Hatfield backs Trump on immigration
Don’t look for Sue Hatfield to sign onto letters attacking Donald Trump if she becomes Connecticut’s next attorney general, even when some of her fellow Republicans criticize him for separating parents and children at the border.
Posted inPolitics
Seek and ye shall find… but at SEEC, it can take a while
Steve Obsitnik’s campaign for governor will go before the State Elections Enforcement Commission on Wednesday morning to make its fourth try since May 23 for approval of $1.35 million in public financing for his Republican primary in August. Two GOP competitors, Mark Boughton and Timothy Herbst, also are on the agenda again.
Posted inPolitics
Ganim, Stemerman qualify for gubernatorial primaries
Bridgeport Mayor Joseph P. Ganim, a Democrat trying to overcome a corruption conviction, and Republican David Stemerman, a hedge fund manager new to politics, each qualified Tuesday for gubernatorial primaries on Aug. 14, giving Democrats at least a two-way contest and guaranteeing the GOP a five-way race.
Posted inPolitics
GOP immigration bill would allow lawsuits against ‘sanctuaries’ like Connecticut
WASHINGTON – A House Republican immigration bill adopts a new tactic to punish “sanctuary” cities and states – making it easier to sue them. The legislation aims to punish states like Connecticut that fail to respond to some requests from federal immigration authorities to hold prisoners past their release date so they can be picked up and deported.
Posted inPolitics
Senate approves massive defense bill, but trims number of F-35s
WASHINGTON – The Senate late Monday approved a $716 billion defense authorization bill that trims the number of F-35’s the Pentagon can purchase this year, but allows for more spending on Electric Boat submarine programs and Sikorsky-made helicopters. “Five percent of our country’s defense spending is done in Connecticut,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal said.
Posted inHealth
Murphy blames higher health insurance costs on Trump
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said Monday that the continuing attacks on the Affordable Care Act by President Trump and congressional Republicans are leading to higher insurance rates and jeopardizing care of Americans with pre-existing medical conditions.
Posted inPolitics
Bob Stefanowski qualifies for GOP primary
Republican voters will have at least four candidates for governor in the Aug. 14 primary as the secretary of the state’s office confirmed Monday that Bob Stefanowski had collected sufficient signatures for a place on the ballot.
Posted inPolitics
Poll: Strong opposition to Trump policy of separating immigrant children from parents
WASHINGTON – Americans voters oppose the Trump administration’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents by a large margin — 66 to 27 percent — a new Quinnipiac University poll shows. The same poll, released Monday, indicated American voters also support, 79 – 15 percent, allowing immigrants who were brought to the United States as children, known as “dreamers,” to remain here and ultimately to apply for citizenship.