Sen. Matt Lesser was criticized for trying to change rules; Rep. Hilda Santiago’s campaign claimed support from neutral Gov. Ned Lamont.
Politics
Stories about elections, formation of government, congressional delegation, state legislation, and the impact of federal legislation on Connecticut.
Posted inPolitics
An embrace of Juneteenth in CT, and a clash over its meaning
The House voted 142-1 to designate Juneteenth a legal holiday in Connecticut. The overwhelmingly positive vote belied a difficult debate.
Posted inPolitics
Prospect of Roe v. Wade repeal puts abortion issue in CT campaigns
Democrats committed to reproductive rights fear a repeal of Roe while welcoming the jolt of passion it could inject into midterm elections.
Posted inHealth
Legislature OKs Medicaid for undocumented children 12 and younger
A more ambitious bill that would have opened the program to those 18 and younger, regardless of their immigration status, failed in committee.
Posted inPolitics
General Assembly approves raises for lawmakers, statewide officers
Lawmakers’ base pay would go from $28,000 to $40,000, and salaries of most statewide officers would match the pay of Superior Court judges.
Posted inPolitics
Budget bill closes loophole that let hospitals end services without state OK
Long-term hospital suspensions aren’t currently regulated under state law. The state budget bill could change that.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
With trash plant closing, CT rethinks waste policy
With the Hartford trash-to-energy plant closing, the state is moving to reduce the waste stream with new technologies.
Posted inPolitics
CT legislators package unclaimed property reform into budget bill
The state treasurer had hoped to return smaller sums to individuals even if they didn’t file a claim, but the new bill would complicate that.
Posted inPolitics
Raises for CT legislators? Leaders testing support
Connecticut’s first legislative pay raise in more than 20 years is getting serious consideration for a vote as the session winds down.
Posted inPolitics
Lawmakers have promised to reform criminal justice, but bills are lingering in Congress
President Joe Biden campaigned on reforming and strengthening the criminal justice system, but critics say his administration has allowed many of those issues to fall by the wayside.
Posted inPolitics
CT Senate passes abortion rights bill after debate over race and history
A Connecticut Senate debate over an abortion bill exploded into a denunciation of the influence of racism in the abortion rights movement.
Posted inPolitics
On climate change, a political shift in Connecticut
With final passage of a “Connecticut Clean Air Act,” the House put a bow on a productive session for addressing climate change.
Posted inJustice
Solitary confinement bill heads to Gov. Lamont’s desk
This is the second year in a row lawmakers have passed a bill to limit the use of solitary confinement in prison and jails.
Posted inPolitics
CT House passes juvenile crime bill
The bill passed over the concerns of Republicans who said it didn’t go far enough and Democrats who worried it would harm children of color.
Posted inHealth
Bill focusing on mental health supports for kids clears Senate
The bill would bolster school mental health programs, increase wages for child care workers and create a minority teacher scholarship fund.