WASHINGTON — Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Thursday told Sen. Jeff Sessions, President-elect Donald Trump’s candidate to be the next U.S. attorney general, that he should not vote on his confirmation – or that of other cabinet candidates.
Blumenthal tells Sessions to abstain from voting on his own confirmation
Posted inPolitics
Controversial labor PAC disbands, refunds cash to unions
Labor United for Connecticut, an independent expenditure group that came under fire for an attack ad in October, disbanded this week after refunding more than $100,000 to member unions.
Posted inPolitics
U.S. House approves stopgap bill that helps CT defense industry
WASHINGTON — Connecticut lawmakers on Thursday helped pass a stopgap spending bill that would prevent a government shutdown – and ease the way for the confirmation of retired Gen. James N. Mattis as the next secretary of defense – but there’s trouble in the Senate.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Don’t shift Connecticut’s unfunded liability problem onto our children
Eroding revenues, red ink and poor fiscal management continue to undermine Connecticut’s state budget. Unaltered, the present approach will make it increasingly difficult, even impossible, for our children and future generations to have a state government that fulfills its fundamental and constitutional duty to provide for a healthier, safer and more equitable society. … But the problem is about to get far worse.
Posted inEducation
Higher ed board gives Ojakian 3-year extension as president
Mark Ojakian, who took over as the leader of the state’s largest public college system amid turmoil last year, has won something his predecessors were unable to achieve – a contract extension from the system’s governing board. The extension brings no raise in his $335,000 salary.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
A new fiscal year worse than last, but we can still fix Connecticut’s mess
Connecticut began 2016 with more structural deficits coupled with a refusal by the majority to address the size and burn rate of our bloated state government. Instead, they blamed our chronic fiscal problems on a “new economic reality” — i.e., more political spin and another pusillanimous excuse for failed leadership. Indeed, despite record high state tax receipts over these last few years, extracted by our record high tax increases, we still have not kept pace with spending.
Posted inEducation, Justice
Troubled schools on trial: A broken formula for state aid
To fix the formula, legislators would have to decide whether there is inequity in how state aid is distributed to towns, simply a lack of money, or both. Any major change would mean huge fiscal consequences and political battles. Second of seven stories.
Posted inPolitics
Linda McMahon is Trump pick for Small Business Administration
Linda McMahon, the WWE co-founder and two-time Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut, was named Wednesday as President-elect Donald J. Trump’s choice as the administrator of the Small Business Administration.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Senate approves Murphy mental health bill
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy had a significant win Wednesday as the Senate gave final approval to a bill that included his legislation to overhaul the mental health system. “For all the downsides about this job, this is one of those moments that keeps you coming back,” he said.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers torn between funds for subs and waiver for Mattis
WASHINGTON – A stopgap measure to fund the federal government would allow work to continue on a new Connecticut-built ballistic missile submarine while also expediting the controversial nomination of retired Gen. James N. Mattis as the next secretary of defense, posing a tough choice for Connecticut’s lawmakers.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Ahmadiyya Muslims hold blood drive to counteract intolerance
Amidst a rude awakening of spiking intolerance, my Ahmadiyya Muslim Community perseveres in waging the true spiritual Jihad (striving) of Prophet Muhammad and his Messiah Ahmad, peace be upon them; the Jihad of peace-loving service and life. This holiday season, we warmly invite you to make another life-giving impact at Baitul Aman “House of Peace” Mosque, […]
Posted inEducation, Justice
Troubled schools on trial: When poverty permeates the classroom
“The state of education in some towns is alarming,” wrote the judge presiding over a recent five-month trial on state funding of failing schools. Whether the state is doing enough to educate children in poverty was at the core of the case, which explored the struggles of students in the state’s lowest-performing schools. First of seven stories.
Posted inMoney, Politics
With an eye on legislature, Bronin makes pitch to suburbs
It wasn’t necessarily the way Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin wanted to start a conversation with the suburbs about what it would mean to the region if the capital city goes broke. But the Metropolitan District Commission’s unexpected levy on its member communities for a reserve fund in case Hartford cannot pay its bills is getting Bronin invitations to the suburbs to talk about the city’s challenges.
Posted inHealth, Money
DDS group home privatization effort slows down — for now
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s plans to privatize 40 group homes and lay off nearly 500 Department on Developmental Services employees next year — as well as union efforts to block those actions — are temporarily on hold, but have not gone away.
Posted inHealth
Advocates give legislators a ‘mental health 101’
The dozen or so legislators who showed up heard personal stories and policy pitches. They got some advice and joking sympathy. It was one of the many ways lobbyists and advocates will try to make an impression on legislators in advance of next year’s session.