Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, an outspoken Democrat on the hot-button issues of immigration, gun control and gay marriage, began a one-year term Monday as the voice of the Democratic Governors Association — and the target of the Republican Governors Association.
Politics
Stories about CT politicians, elections, state legislation, the state’s congressional delegation and the impact of federal legislation on Connecticut.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Transportation financing precarious despite new revenue
Despite the recent infusion of sales tax receipts, Connecticut’s transportation program could be in deficit by mid-2018, according to nonpartisan analysts. And while Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration believes the Special Transportation Fund will remain in the black through 2020 — albeit by a razor-thin margin — nonpartisan analysts cite several problems, including surging debt and pension costs and downgraded expectations for fuel tax revenues.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics
Democrats’ deficit plan going to the legislature Tuesday
Leaders of the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives affirmed Friday they expect to vote Tuesday on a bill to mitigate state budget deficits, restore some cuts to hospitals and social services and offer modest tax relief to businesses.
Posted inPolitics
Rare bipartisan votes advance education, transportation bills
With the unanimous support of the Connecticut delegation, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a landmark education bill, and both houses of Congress approved a five-year transportation bill that will send billions of dollars to the state.
Posted inPolitics, Transportation
Transportation bill will boost CT road funds and help Amtrak
WASHINGTON — Congress was expected to approve a massive five-year transportation bill Thursday that would send Connecticut more than $3.5 billion in federal transportation money, bar the rental of cars under recall and commission a study that would determine an impairment standard for drivers who have smoked marijuana.
Posted inPolitics
Day after mass shooting, Senate rejects gun control measures
WASHINGTON — The day after California’s mass shooting, Richard Blumenthal Chris Murphy and other Senate Democrats pressed for largely symbolic votes on a couple of gun control measures. As most expected, they lost.
Posted inMoney, Politics
There’s a near deal — but it’s not bipartisan — on state budget deficit
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and his fellow Democrats in the legislature’s majority said Thursday they believe they had reached the essence of a deal to mitigate state budget deficits and offer modest tax relief to businesses. Malloy announced he would call the General Assembly into special session on Tuesday in the hopes of adopting the package.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Deadlines nearing for state budget talks, GE decision on a move
State budget talks made little progress Wednesday but will continue for at least one more day as legislators from both sides conceded a self-imposed deadline is nearly upon them. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy also hopes to extract new business tax relief from these talks and confirmed he continues to talk with General Electric in hopes of keeping the major corporation in Connecticut.
Posted inJustice, Politics
Assistant AG: Democrats trying to ‘stonewall’
A lawyer defending the Connecticut Democratic Party against an investigative subpoena essentially told a judge Tuesday it’s nobody’s business how the party came to solicit state contractors, regulated industries and beneficiaries of state for campaign contributions in the 2014 campaign cycle.
Posted inPolitics, Transportation
New federal transportation bill would boost funding to CT
WASHINGTON – In a long-awaited compromise, Congress unveiled a final, five-year transportation bill on Tuesday that would boost money to the states and change the way Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor routes are funded.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Lawmakers, Malloy insist deficit-mitigation deal still within reach
Even with a state employee retirement incentive plan out of consideration, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and legislative leaders insisted Tuesday that a major deficit-mitigation plan could be enacted by mid-December.
Posted inMoney, Politics
State budget talks pick up steam; retirement incentives don’t
While state legislators were upbeat after a second round of budget talks Tuesday with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, they conceded that a proposal to offer retirement incentives to state workers — though not dead — had been weakened considerably.
Posted inMoney, Politics, Transportation
Advocates hope CT’s transportation woes will spur spending
While transportation advocates offered further evidence Tuesday that Connecticut’s aging, congested transportation system is weakening the economy, they remained uncertain whether that would translate into greater state investment in the problem. A new report from a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group concluded congestion and aging infrastructure cost Connecticut residents in urban areas between $2,050 and $2,236 per year.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Malloy: Time is running short to strike a budget deal
While legislative leaders were uncharacteristically coy following Monday’s budget negotiations, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy made it clear lawmakers are running out of time if they want to play a role in balancing state finances.
Posted inPolitics
Conservatives confront Blumenthal on Syrian refugees
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal came to Hartford to talk about labeling standards for genetically modified fish, but he left Monday with a petition opposing the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Connecticut.