A few years ago, Nadia Lugo went door-to-door in Hartford’s North End with a list of names and a mission: Find people who were going to the emergency room frequently. Figure out what was keeping them from staying healthy or getting the right kind of care. And try to help. It was the kind of work many in health policy now view as key toward improving the outcomes of high-need patients. But incorporating it into the health care system remains a challenge.
The health care that happens outside the doctor’s office
Posted inJustice
Malloy makes a personal appeal on bail reform
In an appearance before a legislative committee, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy directly lobbied legislators Monday to support bail reforms he says would minimize the number of defendants jailed before trial over their inability to afford bail.
Posted inPolitics
Himes: Manafort, Stone likely witnesses in Congress’ Russia probe
WASHINGTON — Rep. Jim Himes on Monday said Connecticut natives Paul Manafort, a former Trump campaign manager, and Roger Stone, a self-described Trump campaign consultant, are likely to be key witnesses as the House Intelligence Committee continues its investigation of Russian hacking and the U.S. elections.
Posted inEducation, Money
Some momentum builds for changes to education aid formula
Legislators express support for studying how much it actually costs to adequately educate children, especially those in poverty.
Posted inJustice, Politics
Blumenthal to grill Gorsuch on independence from Trump
WASHINGTON — While showing sympathy for the embattled nominee, Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Monday laid out his strategy for questioning Judge Neil Gorsuch, saying he would press him on his relationship with the man who appointed him to the Supreme Court, President Donald Trump.
Posted inJustice, Politics
Handgun permits rose 73 percent in Connecticut last year
Handgun permits issued in Connecticut rose by 73 percent in 2016 over 2015, and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has proposed raising state pistol permitting fees, which the administration says will cover the increased cost of issuing firearms permits.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy says budget remains in balance, despite nonpartisan warning
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration reported a modest $22 million surplus projection Monday for the current fiscal year — despite nonpartisan analysts’ warnings that eroding income tax receipts have created a $65 million deficit.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
The partisan pity parties need to stop
Our state representatives and senators are supposed to represent our best interests, and advocate for what their communities need to thrive and prosper. But lately, I’ve seen our state leaders play a partisan blame game, crying foul when one party doesn’t invite them to a press conference, or claiming they don’t know anything about bills that their own party peers are cosponsoring. This. Has. To. Stop.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Dominion spokesman: Bill will result in lower energy prices
Connecticut has the highest retail electricity prices in the nation, but a proposed law working its way through the legislature this session will help change that. Among other things, the bill would allow Dominion Resources, the owners of the Millstone nuclear power station in Waterford, to sell its carbon-free power directly to customers through their […]
Posted inMoney, Politics
Will partisan gridlock push CT budget debate behind closed doors?
While Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Senate Republican leader Len Fasano were swapping barbs recently about the next state budget, their public exchange ironically hinted at something just the opposite. Namely, that the next state budget may be crafted behind closed doors to a much greater extent than in any other recent session.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Lembo renews push for outside review of business incentives
State Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo has renewed his push to require an independent analysis of the hundreds of millions of dollars in economic incentives Connecticut provides annually to businesses.
Posted inHealth
Unspeakable horrors gave Theanvy Kuoch incredible strength and compassion
Theanvy Kuoch survived torture, enslavement and the death of 19 of her relatives at the hands of the Khmer Rouge in her native Cambodia. She came to the United States as a refugee in 1981 and has led Khmer Health Advocates, a well-respected organization that serves refugees, for 35 years. She spoke to The Mirror about refugee health needs, her own experiences and the impact of the Trump administration’s policies on people who came to the country as refugees.
Posted inNews
Snow storm distracts from politics — but only briefly
Nothing like a blizzard to take the state’s mind off Donald Trump’s activities … for a day. Apart from the snow break, almost everything again revolved around the ideas, activities and impact of the nation’s chief executive.
Posted inMoney, Transportation
New Haven, state DOT wrangle over Union Station control
Connecticut wants New Haven to run Union Station for three to five more years — then maybe have someone else run it. Mayor Toni Harp’s administration argues that it has earned the right to run the place indefinitely.
Posted inPolitics
Blumenthal will oppose Trump reduction of anti-poverty money
New Haven may have to lay off 20 workers and community agencies would lose millions in anti-poverty dollars if President Donald Trump’s newly proposed federal budget passes — something Sen. Richard Blumenthal says he will fight.