The polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday, but Democrats and Republicans kept punching Wednesday like two fighters who didn’t hear the bell, battling over what constituted a political win or loss in Connecticut’s 2015 municipal elections.
Politics
Stories about CT politicians, elections, state legislation, the state’s congressional delegation and the impact of federal legislation on Connecticut.
Posted inMoney, Politics
State leaders agree on size of the budget problem — almost
After one week of bipartisan budget negotiations, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and legislative leaders have agreed — almost — on the size of the task before then.
Posted inPolitics
Blumenthal campaign targets potential rival Kudlow over actual candidate Wolf
WASHINGTON — Sen. Richard Blumenthal‘s campaign has more sharply set its sights on a Larry Kudlow, a Republican who isn’t in the Connecticut Senate race — at least not yet — instead of August Wolf, a Republican who has declared his candidacy.
Posted inPolitics
Bronin wins in Hartford, warns ‘no easy answers’ lie ahead
Hartford voters Tuesday, in an election that was largely a formality, selected Luke A. Bronin as their next mayor. Bronin used his victory speech at Real Art Ways in Hartford to thank his supporters and lay out the problems he plans to tackle during his four-year term.
Posted inPolitics
Joe Ganim gets his second chance in Bridgeport
BRIDGEPORT — A dozen years after he left office for federal prison, convicted as the leader of a racketeering conspiracy that netted $500,000 in kickbacks and bribes, the voters of Connecticut’s largest city voted Tuesday to return Joseph P. Ganim as mayor.
Posted inPolitics
All eyes on Bridgeport, but races in 165 municipalities
A Bridgeport mayoral contest featuring a comeback attempt by Joseph P. Ganim, the Democrat forced from city hall by his corruption conviction a dozen years ago, tops the list of races to watch today as voters choose chief elected officials in 130 cities and towns. Overall, elections in 165 municipalities.
Posted inPolitics
Federal budget deal helps CT defense industry, state budget
Washington – One of Rep. John Boehner’s final acts as Speaker of the House this week was to negotiate a budget deal with the White House that will help Connecticut’s defense industry by boosting Pentagon spending and save the state government about $65 million in health care expenses for low-income residents and state retirees.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy’s new pension fix is a big departure from his first try
One year after taking office, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy vowed to accelerate payments into the state’s cash-starved pension fund, much as a family might make extra mortgage payments now to lessen balloon payments looming in future years. This week, the governor dramatically altered that strategy.
Posted inPolitics
No resolution over SEEC’s authority in Malloy case
A Superior Court judge was disinclined Thursday to resolve whether federal law preempts state authorities from investigating if the Democratic Party illegally supported the re-election of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy with contributions from state contractors. The party wants him to halt the investigation with a ruling about jurisdiction.
Posted inPolitics
With eye on ’16, GOP hits Malloy in municipal races
In mailings coordinated by the state Republican Party and in campaign materials independently crafted by GOP candidates, voters are being urged to express their disapproval at the polls next week of an unpopular Democrat not on any ballot, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Call it the soft opening of the 2016 campaign.
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CT senators introduce bill to close ‘loophole’ in checks of gun buyers
WASHINGTON – Joined by several of their Democratic colleagues, Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy on Wednesday fulfilled a promise to introduce a bill aimed at closing a “loophole” in federal gun laws that allows a gun sale to proceed if an FBI background check is not completed in 72 hours.
Posted inPolitics
Malloy helps advocates craft message on gun control
WASHINGTON — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy received a standing ovation from gun safety advocates Tuesday for an impassioned speech on the need for a new push to curb gun violence.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Bipartisan budget talks place pressure on GOP to find solutions
The most vocal critics of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s handling of the state finances, Republican legislative leaders, will find things harder this month as they shift from commenting on the deficit-plagued budget to balancing it. Sen. Len Fasano and Rep. Themis Klarides will find it particularly difficult to both oppose tax hikes and shield hospitals and social services from cuts if the leaders try to stabilize finances long-term.
Posted inPolitics
Democrats challenge commission’s authority to investigate Malloy in campaign case
A Superior Court judge will conduct an evidentiary hearing this week that could determine if the State Elections Enforcement Commission can investigate whether the Connecticut Democratic Party illegally supported Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s re-election with contributions from state contractors.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy, legislators optimistic after first budget session
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and legislative leaders hailed the first round of budget talks as a cordial first step toward a bipartisan solution, even if they have yet to agree on the scope of the state’s budget shortfall.