An Asian woman talked about the imprisonment of Americans of Japanese descent for three years during World War II. Noting the last night of Hanukkah, a rabbi recalled those times and places where Jews could only light their menorahs in secret. A gay man, now proudly out, talked about the days of being bullied as “the other.” They came to support America’s newest “other,” the Muslims.
Politics
Stories about CT politicians, elections, state legislation, the state’s congressional delegation and the impact of federal legislation on Connecticut.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Courtney expects partial victory on ending ACA’s ‘Cadillac tax’
WASHINGTON — Rep. Joe Courtney expects to soon have at least a partial victory in his effort to eliminate a provision in the Affordable Care Act that has been attacked by both labor and business groups.
Posted inPolitics
N.J. already using U.S. watch lists to screen gun buyers
The New Jersey State Police said Friday they have used the U.S. government’s terrorist watch lists to screen gun purchasers for two years under a law signed by Gov. Chris Christie, providing a model for how Connecticut might access the same data.
Posted inPolitics
Education bill and gun control dominate on Capitol Hill
A new federal education law replacing No Child Left Behind and a stepped-up campaign to bar those on terrorist watch lists from purchasing firearms dominated the discussion on Capitol Hill this week.
Posted inPolitics
Civil rights groups at odds with CT lawmakers over visa program
WASHINGTON -– A coalition of civil rights groups have joined this week to condemn Congress’ response to the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino – including legislation supported by Connecticut’s Democratic lawmakers.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Pension whistleblower’s suit dismissed, but may return
A federal judge dismissed claims this week that Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo’s office retaliated against a former attorney for the Retirement Services Division, but the matter may not be settled.
Posted inPolitics
At Sandy Hook observance, families press Congress for action
Thursday’s Capitol Hill commemoration of the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, which occurred three years ago on Dec. 14, was also a memorial to the victims of the San Bernardino massacre – and to dozens of other victims of gun murders across the nation.
Posted inPolitics
Connecticut asks for ‘no-fly’ list to screen gun buyers
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy jumped into a national debate over gun control, civil liberties and terrorism Thursday by revealing he has asked the White House for access to the U.S. government’s “no-fly” list and other terrorism watch lists to screen firearms purchases in Connecticut.
Posted inPolitics, Transportation
Malloy calls ‘lockbox’ vote a milestone, not a setback
What do you say when your pitch for a constitutional amendment protecting transportation revenue is strongly endorsed by the General Assembly, just not by the three-fourths margin necessary to place it before the voters in 2016? “This is a victory,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Wednesday. “It’s not a hundred-percent victory, but it’s a victory.”
Posted inPolitics
North Stonington selectman helps GOP lawmakers push Indian recognition bill
WASHINGTON– Nicholas Mullane, a longtime Republican selectman for the town of North Stonington, on Wednesday helped bolster a GOP bill would strip the Obama administration of its authority to recognize Indian tribes.
Posted inPolitics
GOP tries to force a labor reform that eluded Malloy
The legislature’s Republican minority tried and failed in special session Tuesday to make the rules change sought four years ago by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy as a way to make legislators take greater responsibility for labor contracts.
Posted inEducation, Politics
Close juvenile jails? Legislators leave it up to the governor
Democratic legislators Tuesday retreated from a plan to move legislatively toward closing the controversial state-run jail for young offenders and decided to leave that decision up to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Bill closing deficit, cutting business taxes heads to Malloy
The House of Representatives gave final legislative approval to a bill Tuesday night that closes the current budget deficit, mitigates bigger problems in the future, offers modest tax relief to businesses and restores a portion of funds cut this fall from hospitals and social services.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers at heart of new Dem gun control campaign
WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress, including those from Connecticut, ratcheted up the pressure on Republicans Wednesday to take up gun safety measures. The Democrats spent the day calling for gun control measures.
Posted inMoney, Politics, Transportation
House takes transportation ‘lockbox’ off fast track
House Republicans blocked the General Assembly on Tuesday from reaching the super majority necessary to seek a referendum vote next year on a state constitutional amendment to create a legal ‘lockbox’ to protect future transportation funding.