A federal investigation into whether Connecticut Democrats illegally raised money from state contractors in support of the re-election of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in 2014 has ended without criminal charges, the party’s lawyer said Thursday.
CT Dems say federal fundraising inquiry ends without charges
Posted inEducation, Justice
State orders probe of special ed system that ‘sounds…broken’
When educators were unable to help Susan Davis’s 8-year-old autistic son calm down at school, he was put into a four- by six-foot, custom-built box. That and other stories convinced the State Board of Education to order a six-month review of special education delivery in Connecticut.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
A rail plan to grow the metropolitan Hartford region
The recent proposal by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to improve Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and the incoming President’s concern with the poor quality of American passenger railroads provide a major opportunity for the Metropolitan Hartford region and Connecticut as a whole to better connect to Boston and New York City, strengthening our position in the regional and world economy.
Posted inMoney, Politics
A legacy of debt: As cuts get ugly, legislators forfeit power, transparency
Legislators have left more decisions on cuts up to the governor, avoided votes on state employee raises and have accepted less information on fiscal matters. Fourth in a series.
Posted inEducation, Justice
Legislators reject DCF settlement in ‘Juan F’ case
The General Assembly voted overwhelming Wednesday to reject a court settlement that would have charted a path for the state Department of Children and Families to end decades of federal court supervision and shield its $800 million budget from cuts.
Posted inPolitics
To avoid conflicts, McMahon to dump some assets, positions
WASHINGTON — To avoid conflicts of interests, Linda McMahon said she would begin divesting herself of certain assets and positions – including her post as vice chair of the board of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield – if she is confirmed as head of the Small Business Administration.
Posted inNews
Rob Kane confirmed as Republican state auditor
The General Assembly voted Wednesday to approve the appointment of former Sen. Rob Kane of Watertown as the Republican auditor of public accounts, a legislative patronage post that oversees a staff of more than 100 professional auditors.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Brinksmanship at State Capitol over pension deal
Republicans tried Wednesday to scuttle a deal Gov. Dannel P. Malloy struck with state employee unions to avoid spiking pension costs. But the House voted 76 to 72 to ratify the deal, while the Senate followed suit in more dramatic fashion with a tie-breaking vote by Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman.
Posted inJustice
Malloy picks Gregory D’Auria for state Supreme Court
Gregory T. D’Auria of Hebron, who oversees the appellate division of the attorney general’s office as solicitor general, was nominated Wednesday as a justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Coastal elites are reclaiming the mantle of God and country
Since Election Day, a story has been told about those of us who live in Connecticut or along the coasts or who voted for the Democrat. We are told that we don’t get it. We don’t understand the working class or rural culture — the Real America. We are “coastal elites,” we are told. Obsessed with “trigger warnings” and political correctness, we have lost touch with America’s fundamental values. I’m so done with this story.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Adequate DCF funding critical to breaking cycle of abuse
There is no higher priority than the well-being of our children. Our future and theirs depend on decisions we make today. That’s why it is essential that Connecticut’s legislative leaders support a key budget item to protect the most vulnerable of our children by affirming the governor’s recommendation to protect the budget of the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Posted inMoney
A legacy of debt: Whether taxing or cutting, CT faces painful, contentious fiscal future
With no single solution capable of restoring Connecticut’s fiscal health, the state probably will need a multi-faceted solution that will spark fierce opposition among all constituent groups. Third in a series.
Posted inEducation
Big vote looms over ‘the way out’ of court oversight for DCF
The Malloy administration believes an agreement that shields the state’s child welfare system from budget cuts is the only way the Department of Children and Families can escape federal court oversight after 25 years. Legislators are scheduled to vote today on whether to take the deal.
Posted inJustice
Blumenthal: ‘Serious concerns’ about Gorsuch for Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — Within moments of President Donald Trump’s announcement of Colorado Judge Neil Gorsuch as his candidate to fill an open seat on the Supreme Court, Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he had “serious concerns” about the nominee.
Posted inJustice, Politics
Blumenthal joins bitter partisan scrape over Sessions
WASHINGTON — Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined Democratic colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday in calling for a rejection of Sen. Jeff Sessions as the next U.S. Attorney General. Democrats pushed the committee vote on the nomination to Wednesday.