Connecticut consumers are the most optimistic about the state’s economy — and where it is headed — than they have been since early 2016, according to a new online survey conducted by the Connecticut Economic Resource Center.
Survey: CT consumer confidence on the rise
Posted inPolitics
A GOP turnaround exec’s turn as a Democrat goes unexplained
Britain’s Sky News emphasized the plummier aspects of Bob Stefanowski’s resume — trustee of London’s venerable Victoria and Albert Museum, visiting professor at Oxford, “top investment banker” — in reporting his arrival in late 2014 as the new boss of a decidedly down-market business: Making payday loans in the U.S., the U.K. and Europe. Stefanowski, a GOP candidate for governor, is happy to talk about his time in the payday loan business. His briefer tenure as a Democrat? Not so much.
Posted inHealth
Connecticut fertility trends: Older mothers and fewer babies
As fertility rates fall nationwide, Connecticut continues to rank among the lowest in the country — a trend doctors attribute to women here delaying childbearing.
In 2016, the most recent year for which state-level data is available, Connecticut had 53.4 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44, compared with a national average of 62 per 1,000 women.
Posted inEducation
Black teachers leave schools at higher rates — but why?
In recent years, there’s been an increased push to get more teachers of color into the classroom, often highlighting large gaps between student and teacher demographics. National data shows the problem isn’t just recruiting those teachers, but retaining them as well.
Posted inNews
As primary approaches, everything is political
Politics, politics, politics. As the August 14 primaries approach, just about everything happening in state government is the stuff of political debate. Take, for example, the idea of installing tolls on Connecticut’s highways. Without the support of either State Treasurer Denise Nappier, who abstained, or Comptroller Kevin Lembo, who is running for a third term, […]
Posted inTransportation
Griebel pitches pilot toll plan as anti-toll petition drive stalls
As one proposal to stymie electronic tolling sputtered to a halt Friday, Connecticut’s independent gubernatorial candidate pitched a limited, pilot tolling program that could be in place on commuter lanes by mid-2019.
Posted inPolitics
Disclosures show a wealth gap between Glassman and Hayes
WASHINGTON – Jahana Hayes is at least $115,000 in debt because of student loans, while her Democratic rival for the 5th District congressional seat, Mary Glassman, has at least $1.2 million in assets, some jointly with her husband.
That was some of the financial information the candidates filed with the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Posted inPolitics
GOP candidates O’Neill, Santos differ in wealth, investments
WASHINGTON – Republican congressional candidate Ruby Corby O’Neill and her husband are heavily invested in Connecticut state and municipal bonds, while her GOP rival for the 5th District seat, Manny Santos, reported earning a $87,000 salary from UnitedHealth Group last year.
Posted inJustice
DOC commissioner sued twice in a week over prisoners’ health care
The commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Correction was sued twice this week, an indication of persistent concerns about the quality of medical care being provided to inmates. The most recent lawsuit, filed Thursday, alleges that a 19-year-old man died after he repeatedly asked for medical attention he never received. A second, a class action lawsuit, claims the department has refused to provide life-saving treatment to those incarcerated with hepatitis C.
Posted inPolitics
For Joe Ganim, the first question is the hardest at Democratic debate
FAIRFIELD — Try as he might, Joseph P. Ganim could not provoke Ned Lamont into an argument Thursday, failing to draw the Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner into any exchange capable of altering the dynamics of a race that never stray far from one question: Can Ganim, a convicted extortionist, be a credible statewide candidate?
Posted inPolitics
Herbst proposes eliminating early release for good behavior
NORWICH — Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Herbst’s tough on crime platform contains one element that runs counter to federal standards and common practice throughout the U.S. — the complete elimination of a policy that gives inmates the opportunity to shorten their time in prison through good behavior.
Posted inEducation
Racial disparity in school discipline to be addressed
Latino students in Connecticut are suspended from school at twice the rate as their white peers even though they are vastly outnumbered by white students, according to a report released Thursday by Connecticut Voices for Children.
Posted inPolitics
The airwaves get hot in the Republican race for governor
The Republican primary for governor is coming to a boil as David Stemerman and Bob Stefanowski, whose seven-figure advertising budgets give them the loudest voices in the five-way contest, redouble attacks begun at a debate this week with harsh new television commercials.
Posted inPolitics
House GOP petitions to keep tolls debate going strong
Minority Republicans in the House of Representatives are trying to petition the legislature into special session to block a planned study of electronic tolling — a move that may have greater implications for the fall election season than for the tolls analysis.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Arts and culture must be on the next governor’s agenda
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.