As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I’m asking you to think about what that actually means. Specifically, I want you to think about the thousands of young Latinos who are in our schools right now, learning a new language, a new educational system, and a new culture. Kids in the classroom who are learning English as a second language aren’t just struggling to learn a new way to communicate. These kids are trying to figure out what it really means to be an American.
Connecticut needs more ELL teachers for growing Hispanic population
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Opting out of testing in Connecticut — now a civic duty
Since implementation of the new teacher evaluation system by Gov. Dannel Malloy and the legislature, I have believed opting out of standardized testing was a student right. I now see it as a civic responsibility.
Posted inNews
Mill revivals could choke on their own success
In towns all over Connecticut there is such interest in revitalizing historic industrial properties that the movement could be stalled by its own success. All of the fiscal 2017 tax credits under the state historic rehabilitation tax credit program, a key part of the financing of many mill projects, were claimed in the first quarter of the fiscal year.
Posted inNews
Navy Secretary Mabus drops in with a medal for Malloy
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus met late Wednesday afternoon with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in a hastily scheduled visit to the State Capitol to give the governor the “Navy Distinguished Public Service Award” for the state’s support of the Navy and Marines during Malloy’s tenure.
Posted inEducation
Tuition hike for community colleges nixed – for now
Officials of the state’s community colleges have backed off plans to seek a steep tuition and fee hike for thousands of students starting next semester – and instead plan to study the idea.
Posted inPolitics
Emil Frankel joins other Bush appointees opposing Trump
Emil Frankel, a former Connecticut transportation commissioner, is among the former transportation and environmental appointees of President George W. Bush to sign a letter opposing the election of Donald J. Trump, calling him an affront to Republican values and a threat to environmental and transportation safety.
Posted inJustice
Feds say East Hartford plane crash was ‘intentional’
WASHINGTON — Federal safety investigators say the crash of a small plane in East Hartford was intentional, not an accident, and have ceded control of the probe to the FBI.
Posted inPolitics
Arthur House to leave PURA, oversee cybersecurity for state
Arthur H. House, who has had an up and down relationship with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, stepped down Wednesday as chairman of the three-member Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to become the state’s first chief of cybersecurity.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Connecticut: Still revolutionary? Progressive?
I relocated to Connecticut more than 17 years ago and I was fortunate to find a place in a town with good schools, low crime, and a quiet way of life. I knew I was moving to a progressive state with a progressive agenda. A couple years ago I also found that the current administration uses “Connecticut: Still revolutionary” to attract visitors to the state and thus boost the revenue. I decided to assess on my own if indeed I live in a progressive state which considers itself revolutionary. Since I moved to this state many things changed and they did not change for the good.
Posted inJustice, Politics
From prison to freedom: ‘Our goal is to bat a thousand, but obviously that isn’t going to happen’
Edwin Glass went to prison with the expectation he would serve 51 months of a 60-month sentence, the 85-percent standard for a violent crime. He ended up doing 56 months, or 93 percent. Does that make Connecticut tough or lenient?
Posted inNews
Trump’s debate claim on health care costs: It depends what you mean by ‘cost’
Health care finally came up as an issue in the second presidential debate in St. Louis Sunday night. But the discussion may have confused more than clarified the issue for many voters.
Posted inMoney, Politics
GOP leader urges nonpartisan analysts to weigh in on CT budget controversy
The top Republican in the state Senate urged nonpartisan fiscal analysts Tuesday to complete their own assessment of the current state budget as soon as possible.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
A cruel irony: Connecticut is wealthier, yet no better off
A cruel irony lies at the core of our current economic conditions. We have never been wealthier, more productive, or more efficient, yet, for many, the odds of obtaining meaningful employment, economic security, quality education, and adequate healthcare grow ever longer.
Posted inHealth
DSS’s long-awaited computer fix finally arrives, starting today
The mainframe computer system underpinning operations at the state Department of Social Services is so old, there are few people left who know how to fix it. It’s been blamed for stymieing the agency’s ability to handle programs that serve nearly 1 million people. As its replacement launches in part of the state today, officials say some growing pains are expected.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy administration disclosed budget deficit to agencies last month
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration last month warned dozens of state agency heads of a significant shortfall in the current budget — but continues to officially report that finances remain in balance.