WEST HARTFORD — It’s an enduring Black Friday tradition, right up there with traffic jams, Walmart brawls, cheap electronics and buy-one-get-one sales — the press conference by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., on a consumer issue. This year, it was “cyber grinches” who use bots to scoop up hot toys online.
It’s Black Friday, time for a caution from your U.S. senator
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Men, ‘if our daughters and sisters need protection, it is from us’
Since the election over two weeks ago, the nation’s opinion pages have been alive with articles written in despair, often from men lamenting what it all means for their daughters. Slate and The Guardian weighed in, and no less than The New Yorker had a piece on how to handle the news. The screenwriter Aaron Sorkin penned a widely-shared article in which he predicted Trump would commit “an impeachable crime” within the year.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
DeLauro: To lead on infrastructure, Trump should look to public-private investment
“Our infrastructure is crumbling:” It is an expression we hear often in Washington —but what we do not hear as often are concrete plans to address our nation’s failing infrastructure. Both of this year’s presidential candidates agreed that we need to make substantial investments in rebuilding and expanding our infrastructure. In his acceptance speech, President-Elect Trump said: “We’re going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become, by the way, second to none. And we will put millions of our people to work as we rebuild it.”
Posted inPolitics
Sandy Hook activist: Trump win puts us in ‘a defensive stance’
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s election to the White House has ushered in a political reality, putting gun control advocates on the defensive as the National Rifle Association proclaims “this is our time” to weaken or eliminate gun regulations.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
A toast for Thanksgiving day in Connecticut
I’m thankful for growing up in a community with such wonderful diversity. I’m thankful to call the same place home where Tracey and I can raise our children to appreciate an even more diverse world. I’m thankful to live in a state that is tolerant, promotes the rights of all people and will always keep a close eye on those among us who have the least. I’m thankful to live in a nation where I can dream of doing great things, move freely from place to place and speak my mind. I’m thankful for the people of Norwalk and Darien for electing me to a job that I truly love.
Posted inHealth
TB cases rise In Connecticut, nationally first increase in 23 years
Reported cases of tuberculosis jumped 17 percent in Connecticut from 2014 to 2015, mirroring a national and global trend and prompting federal officials to ask primary care providers to be on the alert for at-risk patients.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Insurers uncertain as Congress looks to repeal Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON– Caught off guard by the political changes that make possible the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, the nation’s insurers are hoping Congress will replace the health care law with something that allows them to stay in business – and even thrive. “The discussion right now about repeal and replacement is making the (insurance) market very, very nervous,” Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, a Democrat, said.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Innovation necessary to solve persistent certification problems
A recent story described concerns raised over the State Board of Education’s rapid approval of a new teacher training program. According to that story, members of the Minority Teacher Recruitment Task Force are frustrated with the level of information that they had received about the program prior to its approval. These concerns, I am sure, can be worked out among our branches of government. What is more important is ensuring that Connecticut continues with its efforts to solve the longstanding problem of minority teacher recruitment.
Posted inPolitics
Boughton is latest to open exploratory for 2018
One thing Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton’s learned in two prior runs for governor: You can’t begin too soon to start raising the $250,000 in individual contributions of no more than $100 to qualify for public financing of about $6.5 million. Boughton, who failed in 2010 and 2014 to hit $250,000, created an exploratory committee Tuesday and launched a fundraising web site: the Connecticut Comeback Committee.
Posted inPolitics
An invitation to Trump to meet Syrian refugees in New Haven
WOODBRIDGE — Sharing a stage with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, the head of a program that has resettled about 350 Syrian refugees across Connecticut over the past year extended a public invitation Tuesday to President-elect Donald J. Trump to meet with his clients before acting on a campaign pledge to suspend the resettlement of Syrians in the U.S.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Fasano: Bipartisan talks on top issues should begin next week
Noting that Malloy indicated shortly after Election Day that he would reach out to both parties, Fasano said state government could miss a chance to improve confidence among businesses and the general public if it waits to begin discussions until the 2017 General Assembly session — which starts Jan. 4.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Escape the media ‘echo chamber’
Were you surprised at how the presidential election turned out? Your answer probably depends on which candidate you supported. Many Democrats were shocked at Hillary Clinton’s loss. But a lot of Republicans claim they saw Donald Trump’s win coming for a long time. How can both reactions be right? The answer is that many people are trapped inside “media echo chambers.”
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Improve Connecticut’s public transportation system, not its highways
U.S. Rep. John Larson recently proposed the construction of underground highway tunnels into Hartford. Since there already are many road expansion proposals, we need to stop prioritizing road expansion and start prioritizing mass transit that reflects the needs of Connecticut residents in a 21st Century transportation system.
Posted inHealth
Trial begins in U.S. antitrust battle against Anthem, Cigna
WASHINGTON — Anthem, Cigna and the U.S. Justice Department on Monday tried to sway a federal judge with widely differing views on the impact a proposed merger of the insurers would have on the U.S. health care market.
Posted inEducation
State: Dismiss suit to make education a U.S. constitutional right
“There is no fundamental right to education, whether minimal or otherwise, under the United States Constitution,” the state argues in a motion to dismiss.