WASHINGTON – A new federal report shows that enrollment in Connecticut’s Affordable Care Act marketplace increased this year, even as the cost of health insurance rose sharply. The report also said that 75 percent of those purchasing insurance through Access Health CT get federal help in paying for their premiums.
Access Health CT enrollment rose, along with premiums
Posted inEducation
Multiple investigations follow pregnant teen’s death at state psychiatric hospital
With the autopsy still pending of a pregnant teenager who died in an apparent suicide at Connecticut’s psychiatric hospital for children, the Department of Public Health, along with an intersection of state agencies, has begun an investigation into the death.
Posted inMoney
Malloy says clean-energy data center will create 3,000 jobs
NEW BRITAIN — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced the construction Monday of a $1 billion, fuel-cell-powered, data center that leaders predicted would dramatically expand Connecticut’s digital economy.
Posted inPolitics
Lamont gets an endorsement, challenges GOP on abortion
While U.S. Rep. John B. Larson endorsed fellow Democrat Ned Lamont on Monday in the race for governor, Lamont challenged the GOP rivals to pledge to defend Connecticut’s laws supporting abortion rights.
Posted inJustice
Abolish ICE protest sparks arrests, not all Democrats embrace movement
Hundreds of protesters converged in Hartford on Monday to rally against President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy, resulting in the arrests of 35 people who blocked the entrance to a federal building.
Posted inPolitics
Endorsement parade: WFP, CCDL, Larson, etc.
The Working Families made one of its periodic forays into a Democratic primary Monday, endorsing Jahana Hayes over Mary Glassman in the race for the nomination for the open 5th Congressional District seat.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Will a new governor change Connecticut? (Not anytime soon)
Voters are getting their hopes up that a new governor will bring new life to our flagging economy and resolve our long running state fiscal crisis. Not only is Connecticut widely viewed as the nation’s most mismanaged state, but jobs remain unchanged since 2000 amidst the nations most vigorous economic expansion. And there’s a well defined Exodus of jobs, firms and residents.
Posted inCT Viewpoints, Talking Transportation
A railfan reflects
True confession (as if you didn’t know): I am a railfan. But don’t call me a “foamer!” People who love trains come in all shapes and sizes, but “foamer” is a term they universally hate. “Foamers” is how railroad employees refer to railfans because they think we “foam” at the mouth anytime we see a train. To them, railroading is just a job. To us, it’s a passion. Not that I’d want to work for a railroad, mind you.
Posted inPolitics
Lamont entrusts message to ‘high-risk, high-reward’ ad maker
Different races, different times, different messages. Ned Lamont hired an outsider to frame his antiwar U.S. Senate campaign in 2006 and a mainstream Democratic ad man in his more conventional run for governor in 2010. This year, Lamont has hired Mark Putnam, a big gun in political advertising with a client list topped by Barack Obama. Democrats are waiting to see if Putnam’s firm can find a fresh take on a gubernatorial candidate one Republican already has branded as “Retread Ned.”
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Three key tax reforms to help make Connecticut more fair
In 2014, the Department of Revenue Services released a study showing how much Connecticut residents contribute in taxes. The information is illuminating. Earners of $75,000 or less paid at least 14 percent of their income in state and local taxes. Earners of $2 million or more paid at most 6.5 percent. The reason for this inequity? Connecticut relies more heavily on property and sales taxes than other states -– two regressive taxes that hit lower income earners significantly harder than higher income earners.
Posted inNews
Power and powerlessness at home and in Washington, D.C.
The Democratic Party’s power in Connecticut and its powerlessness in Washington, D.C., were both on display last week beginning with a special one-day session of the state legislature and U.S. Supreme Court Anthony Kennedy’s announcement that he will retire this summer.
Posted inNews
Trump’s next high court pick likely to target abortion. Does the public want that?
President Donald Trump has vowed that his nominees to the Supreme Court will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. But a Kaiser Family Foundation poll out early Friday suggests that’s not what most of the public wants.
Posted inJustice, Politics
CT senators say Trump administration blocked visit with immigrant kids
Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy say they were prevented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from touring a facility in Groton on Friday that houses immigrant children. “This denial of access to a facility in our own state is outrageous, and we will keep doing everything we can to support Noank and to reunite these kids with their families,” the senators said.
Posted inPolitics
CT Dems seek political boost from Supreme Court fight
WASHINGTON – The prospect of a bruising battle over a Supreme Court nominee will permeate many political campaigns this year, including some in Connecticut, where Democrats are using the prospect of another Trump-appointed justice as an issue that will help them organize and raise money.
Posted inEducation
Pregnant teen dies in apparent suicide at state-run hospital
A pregnant teen died late Thursday night in an apparent suicide at the state’s psychiatric hospital for children, officials at the Department of Children and Families reported Friday.