Democratic and Republican legislators offered competing visions for the next state budget Friday, but both effectively dipped into this spring’s unexpectedly high income-tax revenues to salvage key programs for towns and social services, drawing a sharp rebuke from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
Politics
Stories about CT politicians, elections, state legislation, the state’s congressional delegation and the impact of federal legislation on Connecticut.
Posted inPolitics
Union election at Foxwoods as CT tribes push back against federal labor laws
WASHINGTON — More than 300 employees who clean the Mashantucket Pequot’s Foxwoods Resort Casino will decide on Friday if they want to unionize and reject tribal arguments against that idea. Meanwhile, Connecticut’s Pequot and Mohegan tribes are backing efforts to exempt their businesses from federal labor laws, a priority for the nation’s Indian tribes.
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House passes resolution that would allow early voting
The House of Representatives, in an 81-to-65 vote Thursday, approved a resolution calling for a referendum on a constitutional amendment to allow early voting in Connecticut. But the earliest residents might have more than a single day to cast their ballot is 2020.
Posted inMoney
Speaker: CT may need to tap surging April income tax receipts
With revenues from a key portion of the income tax now running $915 million ahead of projections this spring, House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz said Thursday he would support using some of this potential bonanza to preserve “crucial programs” in the next state budget.
Posted inMoney
Would an April income tax bonanza tempt lawmakers to abandon fiscal reform?
If April state income tax receipts continue to grow, will legislators be tempted to abandon a new capping system that compels the state to save, rather than spend, much of these funds?
Posted inPolitics
A quiet finale for the GOP gubernatorial road show
NEW CANAAN — The fifth and final episode of a road show produced by Connecticut Republicans and starring an evolving cast of gubernatorial contenders came to an end Wednesday night without resolving a key plot point: Is the GOP any closer to settling on a front runner?
Posted inPolitics
Congress moves to tighten food stamp rules
Updated at 7:10 p.m.
WASHINGTON — A massive farm bill approved by the House Agriculture Committee Wednesday would end food stamp benefits for many childless adults in 114 Connecticut towns, unless those beneficiaries get a job or work training. Republicans said the change would encourage more recipients to move out of poverty while Democrats said it was a mean-spirited degradation of a critical part of the social safety net.
Posted inHealth
Murphy introduces ‘Medicare for more’ health plan option
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy on Wednesday introduced legislation that would allow individuals and businesses to purchase Medicare coverage. Murphy and co-sponsor Sen. Jeff Merkley say there’s little chance of immediate passage of the bill, but say there is a need for public discussion on ways to shore up the Affordable Care Act.
Posted inPolitics
Toni Boucher ends exploratory, seeks re-election to Senate
Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, ended her exploratory campaign for governor Wednesday and declared her candidacy for re-election to the state Senate seat she won in 2008. She made a similar exploration in 2014, then ran for re-election.
Posted inPolitics
Esty leads in fundraising, but will have to give most money away
WASHINGTON — Rep. Elizabeth Esty, who had to reach into her own pockets to help fund her first bid to represent the 5th District, will leave Congress with a hefty war chest. Since she is not running for re-election, Esty will have to return some of those donations, and give the rest of the money away.
Posted inPolitics
Murphy to oppose Pompeo confirmation to lead State Department
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy on Monday said he would oppose the confirmation of CIA Director Mike Pompeo to head the State Department. Murphy cited the candidate’s “narrow” foreign policy views and stands on a number of issues, including the use of torture and the rights of Muslims and LGBT Americans, “that place him outside mainstream American values.”
Posted inPolitics
Hartford’s Bronin quits Democratic race for governor
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin ended his exploratory campaign for governor Monday, a concession to the inherent conflicts facing a Democrat advocating at the State Capitol for a city in desperate need of state assistance while also pursuing a personal agenda of political advancement.
Posted inHealth
Medical marijuana’s ‘Catch-22’: Federal limits on research
While 29 states have legalized marijuana to treat pain and other ailments, a growing number of Americans who use marijuana and the doctors who treat them are caught in the middle of a conflict in federal and state laws — a predicament that is only worsened by thin scientific data.
Posted inPolitics
Second Amendment rally in Hartford implores hundreds to ‘fight, fight, fight’
Bearing banners, placards and American flags, hundreds of gun-ownership and Second Amendment supporters gathered in front of the State Capitol in Hartford Saturday, protesting gun-control and anti-gun legislation here and elsewhere nationwide.
Posted inNews, Politics
CT lawmakers differ on airstrikes on Syria, agree Trump needs approval from Congress
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy on Saturday had some of Capitol Hill’s the harshest criticism of U.S. airstrikes on Syria, calling them “illegal,” and counterproductive, leading to more attacks by Bashar al-Assad on the Syrian people and “a bloodier, more brutal war.” Other Connecticut lawmakers were more supportive of the strikes, but called on the White House to seek authorization from Congress for further military action and devise a “comprehensive” strategy on Syria.