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.
Brinksmanship at State Capitol over pension deal
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.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy happy to defer to Trump on hedge-fund tax break
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy reacted warily Tuesday to state legislation to eliminate the “carried interest” tax break for Connecticut’s influential hedge fund managers, suggesting instead that the liberal sponsors press President Trump to keep his pledge to eliminate the tax benefit through federal action.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Aetna’s Bertolini: ACA has not met its goals
WASHINGTON — Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini said the insurer isn’t likely to expand its participation in state exchanges in 2018. Bertolini said he is working with the Trump administration on a transition to an ACA replacement.
Posted inPolitics
Key panel gives McMahon bipartisan support as SBA chief
WASHINGTON — Linda McMahon’s nomination to head the Small Business administration was quickly approved by members of a key committee, even as Democrats pulled out all the stops Tuesday to delay confirmation on several controversial Trump administration nominees.
Posted inHealth
State delays controversial electronic system mandate for home health care
The state Department of Social Services has agreed to postpone the rollout of a new electronic system for home health agencies after an outcry among providers and threats to drop clients on Medicaid.
Posted inCities & Towns, Education, Money, Politics
Malloy proposes easing mandates on cities and towns
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy unveiled a plan Tuesday to ease municipal mandates, including tighter wage standards on construction projects and greater flexibility in property assessments.
Posted inMoney
Report: Financial services sector remains key part of NE economy
The financial services sector accounted for 14 percent of all employment and 22 percent of all wages in Connecticut in 2015, according to a new report released Tuesday by a major regional business association.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Six design principles for a new, fair CT school funding formula
Connecticut’s K-12 public school funding system is fundamentally broken. That is the simple and unfortunate truth that boards of education, superintendents, principals, teachers, and education reform advocates have known for years. Lacking a fair funding formula we are shortchanging our communities, and most importantly our children who deserve access to a quality public education.