WASHINGTON — Connecticut Democrats on Tuesday sharply criticized President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Rep. Tom Price, the architect of the House GOP’s repeal of the Affordable Care Act, as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
CT Democrats blast Trump’s pick of Price to head HHS
Posted inEducation
Child care subsidies limited to existing recipients or those on welfare
A program that subsidizes child care so low-income parents can work or teen parents can finish high school will soon stop enrolling new children unless their families are receiving welfare benefits.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Sanctuary cities must be defended
As Americans, we pride ourselves on being a nation of immigrants. It is woven into the fabric of our nation. After all, most Americans are descendants of immigrants themselves and have come to the “land of the free and home of the brave” either by force or by choice. As a citizen of New Haven, one of my greatest sources of pride is knowing that our city is so representative of America’s incredible diversity.
Posted inPolitics
‘Grand Old Party’ outflanked CT Democrats in web campaigning
Joe Crisco’s name was on a campaign billboard in his hometown of Woodbridge. His lawn signs dotted the seven towns in his state Senate district to the west and north of New Haven. His flyers arrived in the mail, same as every other race the Democrat has run since 1992. You just couldn’t find him on your computer or smartphone.
Posted inMoney
Sen. Beth Bye to step down as co-chair of Appropriations
A family illness is prompting Sen. Beth Bye, D-West Hartford, to give up her position as co-chair of the Appropriations Committee, one of the most demanding committee assignments in the General Assembly.
Posted inPolitics, Transportation
CT senators blast Trump’s infrastructure plan, but hope for compromise
WASHINGTON — Connecticut’s senators on Monday joined a growing Democratic chorus of criticism for President-elect Donald Trump’s infrastructure plan, saying it is unrealistic and unworkable and would result in the building and repair of very few roads and bridges.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Despite budget woes, Connecticut should continue prison reform
The CTMirror story on the Vera Institute’s tour of Osborn Correctional Institution highlighted the mindset shift that has occurred under Commissioner Scott Semple’s watch, not to mention his progressive efforts to make incarceration an opportunity for true rehabilitation. Those efforts have been negatively impacted by the state’s dire budget situation to be sure, but the hope is that as we confront our immediate crisis we also seize the opportunities to address those factors that led to this scenario.
Posted inHealth
‘We’re in limbo:’ For many in CT, Obamacare’s uncertain future is personal
The presidential election put Cindy Jalbert’s plans in limbo. She has type 1 diabetes and had been counting on the ability to buy insurance even though she has a pre-existing condition – something made possible through Obamacare. The uncertainty about the health law’s future has personal implications for many Connecticut residents. Some worry about the future of benefits they have come to rely on, while others are hopeful about the prospect of improving what they see as shortcomings in the health law.
Posted inPolitics
Lieberman praises Trump’s national security picks
WASHINGTON — Former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, once the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and a Democratic vice presidential candidate, on Friday praised President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for the White House office of national security.
Posted inPolitics
It’s Black Friday, time for a caution from your U.S. senator
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.
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.