Voters this year have told pollsters in no uncertain terms that health care is important to them. In particular, maintaining insurance protections for preexisting conditions is the top issue to many. But the results of the midterm elections are likely to have a major impact on a broad array of other health issues that touch every single American.
The election’s impact on health care: Bellwether races to watch
Posted inPolitics
Lamont to labor: ‘We’re going to be fighting for you’
NEW BRITAIN — Gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and the rest of the statewide Democratic ticket vowed loyalty to organized labor at a rally Friday, promising to fight in Hartford and Washington to protect collective bargaining and the right to organize at a pivotal time for public-sector unions in the U.S.
Posted inPolitics
Lamont, Stefanowski, expand their fight on New York’s airwaves
Democrat Ned Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski are now battling for Connecticut’s governor’s seat on the airwaves of New York. Both candidates, running neck and neck in the polls, have last-minute ads up in the pricey New York media market hoping to reach more voters in southwestern Connecticut.
Posted inPolitics
Down by 2 points yesterday, Lamont up 9 today
In nine public polls by four pollsters, Democrat Ned Lamont has topped Republican Bob Stefanowski in all but one. Other than an early poll that did not screen for likely voters, Lamont’s leads have ranged from four to nine percentage points. Whatever the numbers, the race generally is rated a toss up.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Advice to a would-be governor: Make healthcare affordable
During this election season The Connecticut Mirror is convening groups of people from around the state to ask their opinions on key campaign issues and their perceptions of the appropriate role of government. The participants in each group share a common circumstance or stage of life.
In this installment, we asked a group of people from the Waterbury area, all of whom qualify as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) the following questions: If one of the gubernatorial candidates walked into the room right now, what you would say to him about health care? And What is the most important thing government can do to make a difference in your life, to enhance your community, or to improve the state?
Posted inPolitics
Candidates disagree on whether CT needs an activist attorney general
During the final debate this week between candidates for state attorney general, the contenders were asked a question that defines the race: How would they decide whether to join other attorneys general in filing multi-state lawsuits against businesses and the federal government?
Posted inCT Viewpoints
How long, oh Lord, how long?
The following is the text of the speech given at community candlelight Vigil for the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh last Sunday at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford.
How long, oh Lord, how long?
My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, oh Lord, how long?
Posted inCT Viewpoints
No words – until now
It is April 11, 1914. Fannie Saphirstein, 28, signs the Department of Labor’s Naturalization Form #2203 in which she describes herself as white of fair complexion, height 5 feet and weight 118 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. She was born in Bialistock, Russia, on the 25th day of March in 1886. She immigrated to America from Antwerp on the vessel Zeeland. She attests that her last foreign residence was Bialistock, Russia. Her occupation? A cigar maker.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Health care insurance issues loom large in this election
During this election season The Connecticut Mirror is convening groups of people from around the state to ask their opinions on key campaign issues and their perceptions of the appropriate role of government. The participants in each group share a common circumstance or stage of life. In this installment, we asked a group of Bridgeport people, all of whom have children, the following questions: What are your primary economic concerns? And if a gubernatorial candidate walked into the room, what would you tell him?
Posted inPolitics
Lamont self-funds, while a high roller backs Stefanowski
A financially fortuitous moment in Republican Bob Stefanowski’s campaign for governor was the day in May when he thanked filmmaker Reverge C. Anselmo of Greenwich for a $3,500 contribution, the maximum allowed by state law. As they say in the movies, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Posted inEducation
Here’s why some students land a seat in coveted magnet schools outside the lottery
Students enrolled in a magnet school run by the Capitol Region Education Council last school year were already attending another magnet school, but needed to transfer schools because of safety reasons – such as being bullied – or because they were foster children or homeless and requested changing schools. It’s still unclear what happened in Hartford Public Schools’ magnet schools.
Posted inPolitics
SHU/Hearst poll has Stefanowski ahead by 2.4 points
His lead of 2.4 points is within the margin of error, but Republican Bob Stefanowski nudged ahead of Democrat Ned Lamont for the first time Thursday in a Sacred Heart University/Hearst Connecticut Media poll in the Connecticut gubernatorial race.
Posted inNews
Promises made: A cheat sheet for top issues in governor’s race
Campaign promises are piling up like orange and yellow leaves this election cycle. We built this tool to keep track of how the three leading candidates for governor say they would steer Connecticut forward if elected. We’ll be adding some more promises and positions to this tracker — we pinky-swear — so check back here […]
Posted inPolitics
Wooden and Gray vie to replace a 20-year veteran for state treasurer’s office
Democrat Shawn Wooden and Republican Thad Gray largely see eye-to-eye when it comes to the state’s massive pension debt, the state’s growing reliance on borrowing to cover debt payments, and even the financial bailout for Hartford. But when it comes to the proper background to handle the job, the candidates each say their rival is lacking.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Voters need to test candidates on how their policies will support seniors
In the coming weeks, our state’s elected leaders – from governor to senators and representatives – must face the voters and win their support in the November elections. There are many important issues confronting our state, including negative economic growth, huge debt in our state employees’ and teachers’ pension funds, aging infrastructure, high taxes at both state and local levels, and diminishing state financial support of our towns. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that to make Connecticut’s recovery a reality, we also need to keep our seniors from moving away.