As most of the world knows by now, Attorney General Jeff Sessions did not tell the truth when he was asked during his confirmation hearings about contacts with Russian officials. But Sessions isn’t the only one.
5 Trump cabinet members who’ve made false statements to Congress
Posted inPolitics
Ex-mayor: ICE raids in immigrant-friendly New Haven likely again
The federal government has staged immigration raids in New Haven before, and they probably will be back again, former Mayor John DeStefano predicts.
Posted inCT Viewpoints, Talking Transportation
Solving the rail station parking mess
If we want to get cars off of the highways, we need to turn drivers into rail commuters. But even the most motivated would-be rail rider faces an immediate problem: the lack of rail station parking.
Posted inEducation, Money
State asks Supreme Court to speed up school funding arguments
Connecticut’s attorney general wants arguments in eight weeks in an appeal of a lower-court’s controversial ruling that the state’s way of distributing school aid is irrational and unconstitutional.
Posted inEducation, Money
House Dems pitch tax credit for college grads
Graduates who remain in state could qualify for an average credit of $1,000 to $1,200, though the actual amount would be based on income. The goal, said House Democrats, is to “keep our best and brightest here.”
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers grow louder in criticisms of Sessions
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Jeff Sessions has agreed to recuse himself in any Justice Department investigation of ties between Russia and the Trump campaign, but that’s not good enough for Rep. Jim Himes, who on Friday joined other Connecticut lawmakers in calling for Session’s resignation.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Community college agenda: The endgame is a fair chance society
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.
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.