Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration is polling cities and towns to determine how many will run out of operating cash by this spring — or earlier — if the state budget standoff continues.
How many CT towns face insolvency? Malloy begins counting
Posted inJustice
As Trump decides on DACA, immigrant youth make final push
Updated at 4:29 p.m.
With a decision from the White House expected soon, immigrant youths and their advocates made one last push in Hartford Wednesday to convince President Donald J. Trump to maintain their protected status.
Posted inCT Viewpoints, Talking Transportation
The Hyperloop is more hype than hope
Imagine traveling from Washington, D.C. to New York City in 29 minutes, not by airplane but in a large underground tube, sucked along at up to 700 mph. That’s Elon Musk’s vision for Hyperloop. But to me, it’s more hype than loop.
Posted inNews
Coast Guard in CT mobilizing to help Harvey victims
WASHINGTON — The Coast Guard in Connecticut is beginning to mobilize to help with the federal response to the enormous devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, which has dropped to tropical storm strength but continues to pound Texas with massive amounts of rainwater and threatens Louisiana.
Posted inJustice
CT questions Sessions over ‘sanctuary city’ policing grant ban
Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen on Tuesday asked U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to clarify new rules requiring that those seeking federal policing money certify they are cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy also have written Sessions over his policy of cracking down on “sanctuary” cities and states by withholding federal law enforcement funds.
Posted inHealth
Access Health again extends deadline for insurers to decide on 2018
The two remaining insurers on Connecticut’s health insurance exchange will have an extra week – until Sept. 15 – to decide whether to continue selling plans through the exchange’s individual marketplace next year.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Democrats’ school funding plan ‘not legitimate, logical or responsible’
TYhe House Democrats’ proposed school funding plan is not a legitimate attempt at a logical or responsible school funding formula. It falls far short of creating the “rational, substantial and verifiable” school finance system that Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher called for in his September 2016 ruling in CCJEF v. Rell.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Congress under deadline pressure to renew health plan for 17,000 CT children
WASHINGTON — When Congress returns for its break next week it will decide whether to renew a health care program that covers 17,000 Connecticut children under 19. If it doesn’t, Connecticut will be among the first states to feel the impact.
Posted inNews
As Harvey pounds Texas, CT sends Air National Guard to help
The 103rd Airlift Wing, known as “the Flying Yankees,” is sending eight airmen and a C-130 Hercules cargo plane to help in supply efforts.
Posted inEducation
Five charter schools line up hoping for state nod
It’s been nearly four years since the State Board of Education last approved a new charter. The board has 90 days to decide whether to approve the application and grant an initial certificate. The General Assembly has the final say.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
The big bang of journalism in America
The demise of objective journalism is less a result of a news source trying to push an agenda and more about economics. A leading research organization covering the media industry published a summary of a well-known media survey from a few years ago by describing the media as “Biased, Frivolous, And Liberal.” Unfortunately, this is correct.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Budget debate: It’s not how much, but what kind of revenue to raise
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has been sparring with his fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives over how much new tax and fee revenue should be raised for the budget. But the real debate is over what type of revenue should be raised — not how much.
Posted inEducation, Health
To be a trauma-informed city takes a cultural shift and partnership
New Britain is beginning to shift it’s culture to become a trauma-informed city. In other words, it is working to recognize that 25 percent of children under 17 have suffered some form of trauma in their life, and to help them heal and move on rather than punish them for how they have responded.
Posted inEducation
McHaelen: Despite social changes, LGBT kids continue to have more difficult adolescence
By the time she was 13, Robin McHaelen knew she was a lesbian, but she didn’t come out until she was in her early 30s. In the meantime she attempted suicide more than once, used drugs heavily through high school and college and felt continually depressed. Now the executive director of True Colors Inc. in Hartford, the Connecticut native has dedicated the past 22 years to meeting the needs of the sexual and gender minority youth. She shares her insights in this Sunday Conversation.
Posted inNews
Ah, summer, with few things to worry about in Connecticut
Ah, the lazy days of summer, when the only things to worry about are the state’s crushing debt and a president on the warpath.