The American Association of Community College’s “Community College Agenda for the Trump Administration” is a blueprint for implementation of critical national higher education policy priorities, touching on needs regarding financial support, infrastructure investment and regulatory issues from a national policy perspective. In the recently released document, the AACC presents a vision of “how the federal government can help community colleges fulfill their mission of building a stronger America.” This vision resonates within Connecticut as well. I’d like to personalize that perspective to help underscore how investment in Connecticut’s community colleges helps secure the future of our state.
Community college agenda: The endgame is a fair chance society
Posted inCT Viewpoints
The state should fund public schools and public charter schools equitably
As a former Hartford public school student, as a father, and as a school leader, I have seen up close the potential of all Hartford kids. We recognize that potential in telling them that if they work hard, they can achieve on par with students from anywhere in our state, country and world. Funding our students equally is a necessary step as we push for the equity our kids deserve.
Posted inCities & Towns
Has regionalism’s time finally come?
While autonomous municipal government — home rule — is the norm and likely to remain so, regional cooperation has been inching ahead. Now with the state and several large cities facing severe fiscal challenges, mayors such as Hartford’s Luke Bronin and others, including the state’s major municipal advocacy group, are pushing for more regional sharing.
Posted inMoney
Malloy seeks pivotal opinion from AG on casino expansion
Attorney General George Jepsen, who derailed a fast-moving campaign for casino expansion in 2015 by raising questions never fully answered, has been asked by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for a formal opinion on the ramifications of allowing Connecticut’s two federally recognized tribes to jointly develop a casino off tribal lands.
Posted inMoney
Democrats push CT income tax cut for seniors – but aren’t sure how to pay for it
House and Senate Democrats called Thursday to exempt all Social Security from the state income tax, a move that could save seniors $45 million per year.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers call for Sessions’ resignation
Updated at 5:30 p.m.
WASHINGTON — Connecticut Democratic lawmakers joined a growing chorus of their colleagues Thursday calling for the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, citing his testimony under oath denying he had contacts with Russian officials during the presidential campaign.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
High times? A new low for Connecticut
…Legalizing marijuana for “recreation” is a draconian shift in public policy and a shock to our social mores and societal health. Legalized marijuana will indelibly change Connecticut; the state will become a different place, coarser and with a more ambiguous future. Many people who would otherwise avoid this drug will use it. And why not? It will be marketed as exciting and essentially harmless. Even though legalization would be intended for adults, barriers would be porous and easily breached. And the message that legalization sends, both insidious and hypocritical, would not be lost on the young. They will get it, consume it and use will spike. And then …
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Legislators, move the parental rights bills
On behalf of myself and hundreds of other parents in Connecticut, we are wondering what caused the languishing of nearly 15 parental rights related bills? I am not aware of public hearings related to any of our bills, yet many other child welfare related bills were afforded a hearing, such as An Act Concerning the Use of Recycled Tire Rubber at Municipal and Public School Playgrounds. If this Act made it to a public hearing, what about bills concerning fundamental parental rights? Why did they die in committee? Will any of them make it to a public hearing? We are very concerned.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Money
Advocates push to ban under-the-radar sales of state property
Conservation advocates hope to clear a crucial hurdle this spring toward establishing tougher standards for the sale or transfer of state property.
Posted inJustice
Malloy tries again to expand reach of juvenile courts
In a Boys & Girls Club not far from the State Capitol, the administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy renewed its push Wednesday to expand the reach of the juvenile court system, a reform endorsed by a leading criminal justice expert at Harvard and imitated by the states of Illinois, Massachusetts and Vermont.
Posted inPolitics
Unofficial results by town in the special elections
Hungry for numbers in the three special elections Tuesday? The secretary of the state’s office just released unofficial results showing Douglas McCrory won the 2nd Senate with 72 percent, Eric Berthel won the 32nd Senate with 54 percent and Dorinda Borer won the 115th House with 61 percent.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Lembo says CT finances remain slightly in the black
Despite nonpartisan analysts’ recent warning that eroding state income tax receipts were pushing Connecticut’s finances into the red, Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo countered Wednesday that the budget remains marginally in the black.
Posted inHealth, Politics
AMA ‘alarmed’ political influence could sway DOJ on Anthem-Cigna merger
Updated at 6:25 p.m.
WASHINGTON — The American Medical Association, says it is “alarmed” Anthem may be taking advantage of changes in leadership in the Justice Department that would “bend antitrust laws” and result in a settlement of the federal case that has blocked its merger with Cigna.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
The sanctuary cities debate is about to get crazier
When I saw the news, the first thing that came to mind was: Oh, great. Here come the raging maniacs who know nothing about sanctuary cities but nonetheless demand that President Trump do something about them.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Join the movement: One person, one vote
Reform the Electoral College so the electoral vote reflects the nationwide popular vote for President. Many believe we are a democratic country, maybe even the top democracy in the world, but the United States was founded as a Constitutional Republic. And as of last month, The Democracy Index Report (issued annually by The Economist, Intelligence Unit) has demoted the U.S. to a “flawed democracy.” It’s time to reform the election system for president so that our votes here in Connecticut matter.