Two candidates compete against each other for office in one of Connecticut’s electoral districts. Each candidate seeks to distinguish himself by offering a purportedly creative solution to the problem of Connecticut’s massive and growing debt for public employee pensions. Each deserves credit for an attempt to move beyond a naked demand that taxpayers pay more and receive less, but taxpayers should be informed about the potential pitfalls of each proposal, and should be aware that neither candidate is willing to address the fundamental problems creating and increasing the debt arising from Connecticut’s public employee pensions.
Pension debt proposals that exacerbate the problem
Posted inPolitics
Candidates make last sprint around Connecticut before polls open
Candidates in Connecticut’s open race for governor made closing arguments Sunday at rallies in a cathedral and a warehouse, in conversations at diners and a sports bar, and at one sparsely attended press conference set with Bushnell Park foliage and a sun-splashed State Capitol as a post-card picture backdrop.
Posted inNews
Murderous hate in Pittsburgh, anti-Semitism here
The mass shooting of 11 members of the Temple of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh horrified anew a nation that was still getting over a recent pipe-bomb attack. It also helped amplify Connecticut’s reaction to an anti-Semitic campaign mailer produced for a local state senate candidate.
Posted inPolitics
Gubernatorial candidates split on justice reforms, but quietly
Overlooked in a campaign consumed by fiscal issues, criminal-justice reforms enacted by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy are a quiet wedge issue in the race to succeed him, with Republican Bob Stefanowski taking advice from the governor’s loudest critic on crime, Sen. Len Suzio of Meriden. Democrat Ned Lamont and independent Oz Griebel say Malloy got this one right.
Posted inHealth
Community Conversations: A need for more health care and health care reform
During this election season, the CT Mirror convened groups of people from around the state to ask their opinions on key campaign issues and their perceptions of the appropriate role of government. A common theme emerged: health care — the cost, the disparities and the need for change.
Posted inHealth
The election’s impact on health care: Bellwether races to watch
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.
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.