Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Thursday his administration could have a proposal ready soon for legislative consideration on a new state system for managing and profiting from sports betting. Whether lawmakers will come back to consider it before the new legislature and governor take office in January are another matter.
Legislators uncertain about legalizing sports betting before ’19
Posted inCT Viewpoints
What’s at stake in the race for lieutenant governor
Two hours before dawn on August 22, 1991, a tie vote in the state Senate was broken by Lowell Weicker’s lieutenant governor, whose action guaranteed that a state income tax would be imposed on the people of Connecticut. The spending spree enabled by that infamous vote was the chief cause of our subsequent economic decline. Since the tax took effect, we rank dead last in economic growth among the 50 states. It matters who breaks ties in the Connecticut Senate.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Criticisms of the kneeling protest are ‘hollow, self-serving, gratuitous’
The continuous unfolding news accounts of Haddam Selectwoman Melissa Schlag and her exercise of free speech rights by taking a knee on July 16 and kneeling on both knees at (the July 30) Monday’s Board of Selectmen fortnightly meetings have drawn the attention of the state and nation, with a mix of ire and support by local residents and veterans as her actions were vilified loudly by political campaigners for statewide office, and later with an additional pile on by other candidates.
Posted inPolitics
Republican debate for lieutenant governor turns on ‘electability’
WEST HARTFORD — At a debate of the Republican candidates for lieutenant governor Monday night, Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson argued that the GOP needs a Number Two who would be most electable in a November election, not most popular in an August primary. Stevenson says Joe Markley is too conservative and Erin Stewart too unaccomplished and friendly with labor.
Posted inPolitics
A ‘crypto-anarchist’ hands Democrats a new gun issue
You probably never heard his name before today, but Cody Wilson emerged this week as an influence in the Connecticut primaries for governor and attorney general: He is a self-described “crypto-anarchist” from Texas who wants to sell America a downloadable blueprint for the 3D printing of untraceable plastic firearms.
Posted inNews
Increased ticketing for distracted driving is making a difference
Starting today, police officers will be out in force across Connecticut pulling over drivers who are using handheld mobile phones.
Posted inHealth
CT Insurance Dept. mulling expansion of ‘short-term’ plans
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration on Wednesday issued final rules that would allow states like Connecticut to allow the sale of cheaper, skimpier health care plans that were originally intended for short-term use but now be available for 364 days, or nearly 12 months at a time. Now, it’s up to state officials to allow the sale of these short-term plans, which do not have to cover pre-existing conditions.
Posted inEducation, Money
UConn needs big boost in state aid to preserve sci-tech expansion
The University of Connecticut Board of Trustees is seeking major increases in state aid in each of the next two fiscal years, to maintain an initiaitve to expand science and technology programs and to cover mandated pay raises.
Posted inNews
House Democrats file election law complaint against nationally funded PAC
Connecticut House Democrats filed a complaint with the State Elections Enforcement Commission on Wednesday against a nationally Republican funded Super PAC they say violated reporting requirements while targeting state Democratic legislators ahead of the 2018 election.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Connecticut’s four-year public state university graduation rates fall short
Low completion rates are a problem at some of Connecticut’s four-year public state institutions. A recent report outlining the number of bachelor’s degree earners reveals a significant gap in the graduation rates between the four-year public state institutions that make up the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities and the University of Connecticut. Although in-state, undergraduate tuition costs at each of the five public institutions are the same, their graduation rates are vastly different. The CSCU graduation rates are lagging behind those at UConn, and strategies need to be instituted in the CSCU system to correct this discrepancy.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
An inexcusable and costly failure to fund juvenile review boards
For years, legislators sang the praises of juvenile review boards, because community-based JRBs helped kids succeed more frequently– and more cheaply – than the juvenile justice system. But when the General Assembly moved juvenile justice from one state agency to another, it neglected to move the funding for JRBs that serve our largest cities. That means fewer second chances and fewer essential services – mainly for young people of color and from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our state frequently cannot find the money to support these youth, though the funding for the more expensive strategies of prosecution and even incarceration is never in short supply.
Posted inMoney
Boughton, Stefanowski, have lots of confidence, few details on plans to phase out income tax
GOP gubernatorial contenders Mark Boughton and Bob Stefanowski say they would phase out the state income tax. But their rivals say those claims are false given that Connecticut faces huge projected deficits, skyrocketing pension costs and a controversial benefits contract that runs for nine more years.
Posted inHealth
CT AG slams Trump administration’s proposal to change Title X
Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and 12 other attorneys general claim that proposed changes to Title X — the only federal program specifically dedicated to supporting the delivery of family planning care — are unconstitutional and would limit care options for women.
Posted inNews
In his final months as governor, Malloy appoints new general counsel
With about six months remaining of his second and final term, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is appointing a naval officer to replace Karen Buffkin as his general counsel.
Posted inPolitics
Federal judge stops release of plans for 3D-printed guns
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday to stop the release of downloadable plans for 3D-printed, plastic guns that were set to be publicly available on August 1.