It is obvious that arts and culture keep our towns and cities hopping and vital, especially when you see restaurants filled on nights that theater, museums and galleries have events. Our elected leaders understand how important arts, culture and creativity are for building strong communities. Candidates are also learning that over 90 percent of Connecticut’s arts and culture supporters vote. With this year’s gubernatorial election in high gear, as well as many other legislative races, it’s important that we hear from the candidates on these issues, particularly as Connecticut’s funding for arts and culture has continually declined, bucking the national trend and while surrounding states are increasing their investment. This is a missed opportunity to have a real impact on our state’s economic health, our education system, and quality of life.
Arts and culture must be on the next governor’s agenda
Posted inPolitics
DeLauro, Larson hold Capitol Hill fundraiser for Glassman
WASHINGTON – Reps. Rosa DeLauro and John Larson hosted a fundraiser on Capitol Hill for Mary Glassman, the state Democratic party’s endorsed candidate for the 5th District congressional seat, cementing establishment support for the former Simsbury first-selectman.
Posted inPolitics
Erin Stewart, Eva Bermudez Zimmerman win public financing
Democrat Eva Bermudez Zimmerman and Republican Erin Stewart, both 31-year-old women challenging their party’s convention-endorsed candidates for lieutenant governor, cleared a financial hurdle Wednesday by winning approval of public-financing grants.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers seek federal help for homeowners with crumbling foundations
WASHINGTON – As Congress rushes to finish work before its August recess, Connecticut lawmakers are trying to get some federal help for homeowners who have been victimized by tainted concrete that has caused the foundations of their homes to crumble. They’ve made some progress, but final congressional approval of their efforts isn’t guaranteed.
Posted inEducation
Decline in percent of students meeting readiness standards on SAT
There was a 3 percent drop this year in the number of 11th grade students who met or exceeded the standard for college and career readiness in the reading and writing portion of the SAT.
Posted inNews
How taking a knee in Haddam echoed in statewide politics
It was a 12-second protest — waged by a single selectwoman in a nondescript room in a small Connecticut town — but it has provided days of political outrage and the perfect platform for two Republican candidates to reassert party values.
Posted inTransportation
Bond commission approves $10M for electronic tolls study
The State Bond Commission approved $10 million in financing Wednesday for an analysis of establishing electronic tolling on most Connecticut Highways.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
On Hamden’s tragic fiscal decline
Twenty five years ago Hamden was a healthy, thriving town with generally happy residents. Taxes were manageable, schools were good and the town had excellent services. Town workers were fairly paid and got great benefits, particularly top-notch, town-funded health care and a generous defined-benefit pension plan. The Hamden real estate market had its ups and downs but was as strong as most in the area. Unfortunately, decades of miss-management and union commiseration have reversed the town’s strong prognosis.
Posted inPolitics
A bare-knuckle GOP debate about character, taxes — and reality
FAIRFIELD — A question about eliminating the income tax sparked a protracted exchange of charges, countercharges and insults Tuesday between the two Republican gubernatorial contenders with the least political experience and biggest television advertising budgets: businessmen David Stemerman of Greenwich and Bob Stefanowski of Madison.
Posted inEconomic Development
JAX Labs surpasses 10-year goals in under six years
FARMINGTON- State officials announced Tuesday they are forgiving a $165.9 million loan to Jackson Laboratory (JAX) because it has surpassed its 10 year goals for employment just four years after opening its doors on the UConn Health campus.
Posted inMoney
Panel seeks new ways to slow skyrocketing state pension costs
A new panel is exploring how Connecticut can use state assets — both physical properties and revenue streams — to mitigate pension costs expected to surge dramatically over the next 15 years.
Posted inTransportation
Nappier will abstain from vote on $10 million tolls study
State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier announced Tuesday she will not support Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposal to borrow $10 million to finance a new analysis of electronic tolling.
Posted inNews, Politics
Final defense bill boosts Sikorsky helicopters and and EB subs, but trims F-35s
WASHINGTON – Congress has finished work on a final defense authorization bill that boosts military spending and provides more dollars for Connecticut defense contractors.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Our voice, our power: An invitation to hear the candidates July 25
I arrived home from classes excited about the warm weather that guaranteed I would play soccer with my friends that evening. As I was finishing my reading assignment for 10th grade English, I received a phone call from my mom informing me my dad was at the police station for a minor traffic violation. Naively I thought to myself, “He’ll be home tonight,” but as I entered the lobby I was greeted by my mother with tears racing down her face. Immediately, my heart sank as I heard the words, “They called ICE on him, he’s being deported.”
Posted inJustice
‘Warrior of religious liberty’ Kavanaugh could shift church-state balance
WASHINGTON — There’s concern Judge Brett Kavanaugh, will speed the Supreme Court’s steady shift from a strict separation between government and religion and that his approach to religious liberty cases would determine the intensity of that trend for decades. Considered a “warrior of religious liberty” by some of his conservative admirers, Kavanaugh has defended the use of taxpayer money for religious schools and backed student-led prayers at high school football games.