Here is the CTMirror.org’s take on that hoariest of journalistic conventions, the year in review. It’s a mix of the important, the interesting, the surprising and, perhaps, the little-noticed things we shared in 2015 from the world of politics and public policy in Connecticut.
Politics
Stories about CT politicians, elections, state legislation, the state’s congressional delegation and the impact of federal legislation on Connecticut.
Posted inPolitics
Dennis Murphy named acting labor commissioner
Dennis Murphy will begin the New Year as the acting commissioner of the state Department of Labor, succeeding the retiring commissioner, Sharon Palmer, the Malloy administration announced Thursday.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Panel struggles to solve state’s property tax woes
The panel studying Connecticut’s taxes off-and-on for two years has wrapped up its work struggling to find consensus on arguably Connecticut’s most onerous levy: the municipal property tax.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT has a good savings plan — though its bank balance is modest
Despite having a relatively modest emergency budget reserve right now, Connecticut’s saving strategy is better than those in most states, according to a new study by Pew Charitable Trusts.
Posted inPolitics
A governor’s visit to a smokehouse that offers second chances
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy dropped in on Bear’s Smokehouse in Hartford on the day before Christmas for a low-key photo opportunity to promote his Second Chance initiatives and to thank the owners, Cheryl and Jamie “Bear” McDonald, for hiring ex-offenders. He stayed for the brisket.
Posted inPolitics
Joe Gresko, councilman and legislative aide, seeks Backer’s seat
Joe Gresko, a legislative aide and recently elected Stratford councilman, will seek the Democratic nomination Tuesday night to succeed his friend, Rep. Terry Backer, D-Stratford, who died last week.
Posted inPolitics
Special election scheduled in Backer’s district
A special election will be held Feb. 2 in the 121st House District of Stratford to choose a successor to Rep. Terry Backer, D-Stratford, who died Monday night, the secretary of the state’s office said Friday.
Posted inPolitics
Defense spending, permanent R&D tax break benefit CT firms
A hyper-busy Congress accomplished this week much of what it wasn’t able to do all year.
Posted inPolitics
Murphy to help Clinton’s New Hampshire campaign
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy is travelling to New Hampshire next week to help sell Hillary Clinton’s gun safety plan in a state with strong gun rights supporters.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT lawmakers, except Himes, split with party over tax package
WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. John Larson, Elizabeth Esty, Rosa DeLauro and Joe Courtney split from their party leaders Thursday in voting for a tax package that would make permanent a research and development tax break benefiting many Connecticut companies and tax credits to help low-income families.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Federal budget bill good for CT defense, health insurance industries
WASHINGTON — The federal government’s proposed $1.1 trillion budget deal will please Connecticut health insurers, defense contractors and early childhood education advocates; but disappoint those seeking more federal heating aid and country-of-origin labeling on beef and pork.
Posted inPolitics
DeLauro helps form ‘Cuba Working Group’
WASHINGTON– On the one-year anniversary of President Obama’s announcement that the United States was seeking to normalize relations with Cuba, Rep. Rosa DeLauro and 11 other House members re-established a bipartisan group to seek an end to remaining sanctions
Posted inPolitics
Malloy mum on authority to change firearm screening
Nearly a week after Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced his intention to use terrorist watch lists to screen gun buyers, it remains unclear how his executive powers would allow him to unilaterally alter criteria set by state law. He has not sought an opinion from the attorney general.
Posted inPolitics
Federal researchers say Air Force may have to cut back on F-35s
Updated at 8:25 p.m.
WASHINGTON – Congressional researchers told the Air Force its ambitious modernization program will leave it strapped for money, and it may have to cut the number of F-35s it wants to buy.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy says ‘lockbox’ opponents run risk in 2016
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Tuesday he will make a second try next year for a constitutional “lockbox” to safeguard transportation revenue and vowed to campaign against any legislator who opposes it should the measure fail.